Clara Dissanayake has learned that leadership doesn't always come from being on the ice.
Last season, the McMaster curler was forced to watch the OUA Championships from afar, missing the event while competing at the U20 Provincial Championships. There, Dissanayake claimed a provincial title, earning a spot at nationals and taking on the new challenge of representing Team Ontario. While she wasn't physically present for OUAs, her impact on the Marauders' season was undeniable.
Dissanayake rejoined the team later in the year for the 2025 U SPORTS Championships—a week that would go down as one of the most successful in program history.
"That was a very historic week for us," she said. "We'd never done that well before. In the previous two U SPORTS I'd been at, we finished fifth. Really cracking that podium was a huge deal for us."
The silver-medal run was especially meaningful given the uncertainty surrounding the season. With a new head coach and several new players, the Marauders entered the year unsure of what to expect. Strong round-robin play built momentum, and the team carried that confidence into the playoffs.
That confidence set the stage for a dramatic championship final against the undefeated Laurier Golden Hawks—a rematch of the OUA gold medal game, where McMaster had prevailed 5–3.
The U SPORTS final was tightly contested. Laurier struck first in the second end, but the Marauders responded in the third to tie the game. The Golden Hawks added single points in the fourth and fifth ends, forcing McMaster to chase late. A big two-point sixth end tied the game once again, and after a scoreless seventh, the match came down to the final stones.
Laurier found the difference-maker in the eighth end, edging McMaster 5–4 and leaving the Marauders with silver after a hard-fought battle.
"I probably think about it every day," Dissanayake said with a laugh. "Losing to Laurier was obviously devastating, but it was still really exciting to get that silver medal and get a program-best result."
Even without competing at OUAs, Dissanayake's leadership was felt throughout the season. Teammates frequently pointed to the groundwork she laid earlier in the year, crediting her for helping set the standard that carried them to success. She recalls a moment with rookie
Maggie Fitzgerald that stood out. Fitzgerald told her that even though Dissanayake wasn't at OUAs, she believed the team wouldn't have won without her leadership the previous season. "That was really cool," Dissanayake said.
In her second year with the program, Dissanayake also stepped into a more administrative role as co-president, helping grow the team off the ice. She played a key role in bringing in head coach
Jacob Lamb, whom she describes as a major addition to the program. "I think people kind of started looking to me because I was actively growing the team and growing the program," she said.
Her leadership extends beyond strategy and organization. Dissanayake prides herself on mentoring younger athletes, especially Fitzgerald, who relocated from Nova Scotia to join the Marauders.
"I drive her to every practice," Dissanayake said. "We spend so much time together—just being able to connect with her and make sure she feels welcome, not only at Mac but in curling in general."
Dissanayake's curling journey began early. She started playing in Grade 5, inspired by her parents and growing up in Sudbury, where curling was a major sport. She also competed in ski racing before committing more seriously to curling in Grade 10, playing competitively ever since. Both of her parents are McMaster alumni, so being a Marauder was always on her mind.
Throughout her Marauder career, Dissanayake has played multiple positions, including lead and second. While she's comfortable in either role, lead remains her favourite. "I like that I get to dictate where the end goes," she said. "And I love to sweep."
In the 2025-2026 season, McMaster returns the same four athletes who were on the ice during last year's silver-medal run. "We're really excited about OUAs this year," Dissanayake said. "Obviously, we'd love to win again—that would be our goal." At the same time, she's mindful of keeping expectations balanced. "We try not to put too much pressure on it," she said. "I think we play our best when we're not thinking too much about the outcome and just having fun and relying on the skills we've built all season."
A top-three finish remains the benchmark, as it would secure another U SPORTS berth. With Laurier returning a similarly strong lineup, Dissanayake believes the rivalry will once again push both teams.
"Since the silver medal performance last year, we've put in even more work," she said. "We've had two years now to build with the same four people on the ice."
Beyond university curling, Dissanayake is already looking ahead. She plans to apply to optometry school next year, while continuing to compete on the provincial circuit. Her long-term goals include winning a provincial championship with Team Ontario, transitioning from juniors to women's competition, and one day competing at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
She credits much of her development to former and current McMaster players who set the standard before her, including Grace Lloyd and
Rachel Steele—athletes she describes as both incredible players and people.
Lloyd, now a McMaster graduate and Steele, a current student, just finished competing in the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts for Team Ontario in Mississauga. With Steele as lead and Lloyd playing third, the team went 5-3 and finished fourth in Pool A.
Team Ontario Results
As the championship season approaches, Dissanayake's role remains clear: leader, mentor, and competitor—whether she's throwing the first stone or cheering from the sidelines.
Up Next:
OUA Championship Feb 6-8
