Leigh Armstrong - Athlete (Curling) - Class of 2023
Only a select few find the drive within to not only master a sport, but also rise to international renown. Leigh Armstrong began curling in the 1980s and became known in curling circles as the one to watch.
Getting her feet wet in novice level bonspiels at Milton Curling Club, quickly led to a touring career — first locally and later globally.
Representing W.I. Dick Middle School, Leigh was the first female skip to win the Elementary School Provincial Championship in 1996. That was a huge stepping stone into her bantam and junior career, winning a total of 7 provincial championships, three of them representing Ontario at the Canadian Junior Championships. Notably she won a provincial championship at every position - lead, second, vice and skip before the age of 18.
Shortly after Leigh's junior career, she became a Canadian Mixed Champion in 2006, winning gold for Ontario with Team John Epping in Whitehorse.
Not surprisingly Sherry Middaugh came calling in 2010 — the start of a new Olympic cycle — scooping up Leigh as the team’s new lead curler. With their sights set on Sochi 2014, Leigh and Team Middaugh reached the gold medal game at the Canadian Olympic qualifier, which was known as The Roar of the Rings, losing out to eventual Olympic champion Jennifer Jones.
With an eye to the grassroots, Leigh became Chair of The Dominion Curling Club Championships and grew the event into the largest participated curling event in the world. The Dominion Championships have also raised thousands to support various spinal cord injury chapters across Canada.