Homan, Mouat to meet in Battle of the Sexes dream match

The top-ranked curling teams in the world will go head-to-head in a dream match for charity on the eve of the AMJ Players’ Championship.

Women’s world No. 1 Team Homan of Canada will face men’s world No. 1 Team Mouat of Scotland in the first-ever Rio Mare Battle of the Sexes presented by The Curling Group, April 7, at Toronto’s Mattamy Athletic Centre.

The historic meeting will be an eight-end skins game with celebrity coaches, guest appearances, unique rule twists and more.

All proceeds from the match will support Team Homan and Team Mouat’s charities of choice plus an additional $1,000 per end for the winner’s charity.

The reigning world women’s champion Homan is in the midst of another incredible season sporting a 52-4 record. Homan, who is looking to retain her Scotties Tournament of Hearts title this weekend, has reached all four Grand Slam of Curling women’s finals this season, winning back-to-back championships at the Co-op Canadian Open and KIOTI National.

The match isn’t uncharted territory for Homan though. Her team competed in the men’s Elite 10 tournament in 2016 and finished with a 1-3 record. The Elite 10 featured a similar match-play format.

“We’re so excited to put on a great show for the fans while supporting a cause that means so much to the curling community,” skip Rachel Homan said in a release. “Knowing that our funds from this event will go to the Sandra Schmirler Foundation makes it even more special.

“We’re also grateful to have our partner, Rio Mare, backing this event and continuing their incredible support for curling and women’s sports.” 

Mouat, 68-12 on the year, won the first three Grand Slam men’s titles to start the season and recently finished runner-up to Team Whyte in the Scottish curling championships.

“We’re really looking forward to the Rio Mare Battle of the Sexes,” skip Bruce Mouat said in a release. “It’s going to be a fun and competitive event for the fans, but more importantly, it’s an opportunity to give back.

“Supporting causes that matter is something we take seriously, and we’re proud that funds from this event will go toward Charlie Boy’s Cancer Fundraiser, a cause that’s incredibly close to us. We know Team Homan will bring their A-game, but we’re ready for a battle.”

The AMJ Players’ Championship is the fifth and final Grand Slam of Curling event of the season and runs April 8-13.

The Curling Group, which acquired the Grand Slam of Curling  event series last year, will conclude its season with the first TCG All-Star event in Nashville, April 15-16.