What Is 2002 Scott Tournament of Hearts

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2002 Scott Tournament of Hearts was the Canadian women's national curling championship held from February 16 to 24, 2002, in Brandon, Manitoba. Colleen Jones of Nova Scotia won the title, defeating Sherry Anderson of Saskatchewan in the final.

Key Facts

Held from February 16–24, 2002, in Brandon, Manitoba
Colleen Jones of Nova Scotia won her first national title
Final match: Nova Scotia defeated Saskatchewan 6–4
12 teams competed in the round-robin format
Host venue: Keystone Centre in Brandon

Overview

The 2002 Scott Tournament of Hearts marked the 21st edition of the Canadian women's curling championship under the Scott sponsorship. Held in Brandon, Manitoba, the event brought together top women's teams from across Canada to compete for national supremacy and the right to represent Canada at the World Women's Curling Championship.

This tournament was notable for the breakthrough victory of Colleen Jones, who captured her first national title after years of near-misses. The competition featured intense round-robin play, leading to a dramatic final that solidified Jones’s legacy in Canadian curling history.

February 16–24, 2002: The tournament spanned nine days at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba, drawing fans and media from across the country.
Colleen Jones: Skipping Team Nova Scotia, Jones won her first national women's title after previous top-three finishes at prior Hearts events.
Final score: Nova Scotia defeated Saskatchewan 6–4 in the championship game, marking a pivotal moment in Jones’s curling career.
12 competing teams: Each province and territory was represented, including defending champions from Canada’s northern regions and strong contenders from Western Canada.
World Championship berth: The winner earned the right to represent Canada at the 2002 Ford World Women’s Curling Championship in Bismarck, North Dakota.

How It Works

The Scott Tournament of Hearts follows a structured format combining round-robin play with playoff rounds to determine the national champion. Teams compete over nine days, with the top finishers advancing to the playoffs based on win-loss records and tiebreakers.

Round-Robin Format: All 12 teams play each other once, with standings determined by win-loss records. The top four teams advance to the championship pool.
Championship Pool: The top four from round-robin enter a second group stage, carrying over results from games against other qualifiers.
Page Playoff System: The top two teams after the championship pool meet in the 1–2 game, with the winner advancing directly to the final.
Final Qualification: The loser of the 1–2 game faces the winner of the 3–4 game in the semifinal, with the winner advancing to the final.
Curling Rules: Each game consists of 10 ends, with teams alternating throws. The team with the closest stone to the button scores one or more points per end.
Team Composition: Each team has four players: lead, second, third (vice-skip), and skip, with the skip typically directing strategy and throwing last stones.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top five teams at the 2002 Scott Tournament of Hearts based on final standings and performance metrics.

Team (Province)	Round-Robin Wins	Final Standing	Key Player	Worlds Result
Nova Scotia	9	Champion	Colleen Jones	Gold Medal
Saskatchewan	8	Runner-up	Sherry Anderson	Silver Medal
Alberta	7	3rd	Cathy King	5th Place
Manitoba	6	4th	Janet Harvey	Did not qualify
Ontario	6	5th	Sherry Middaugh	Did not qualify

The table highlights how Nova Scotia’s consistent performance, led by Colleen Jones, culminated in victory. Saskatchewan’s strong showing earned them silver at the Worlds, while Alberta and Manitoba demonstrated competitive depth but fell short in the final rounds. Ontario’s fifth-place finish reflected solid play but insufficient momentum in key matches.

Why It Matters

The 2002 Scott Tournament of Hearts had lasting significance in Canadian sports, particularly for women’s curling. Colleen Jones’s win marked the beginning of a dominant era, and the event helped elevate the visibility of women athletes in winter sports.

Legacy of Colleen Jones: Her 2002 victory launched a streak of multiple national titles, making her one of the most decorated female curlers in Canadian history.
Media Coverage: The tournament received expanded television coverage, increasing public awareness and sponsorship interest in women’s curling events.
Pathway to Worlds: Canada won gold at the 2002 World Women’s Curling Championship, reinforcing national dominance in the sport.
Provincial Pride: The event strengthened regional curling programs, inspiring youth participation in provinces like Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan.
Format Influence: The Page playoff system used in 2002 became a model for other national and international curling competitions.
Gender Equity: High-profile success stories like Jones’s helped advocate for equal prize money and media attention in women’s sports.

The 2002 Scott Tournament of Hearts remains a landmark event, symbolizing both athletic excellence and progress in the recognition of women’s achievements in curling.