Colleen Jones, one of the most recognized names in Canadian broadcasting and curling, has announced her retirement from the CBC. Jones, who has been with the public broadcaster for nearly four decades, has anchored numerous sports broadcasts, including 14 Olympic Games. She has also been a successful curling player, winning six national titles and two world championships. In this article, we take a look back at Jones’ illustrious career at CBC and her contributions to Canadian sports.
Colleen Jones, who has been a fixture on the CBC nightly news for almost 40 years, vividly remembers her first day in the newsroom. Starting as a sportscaster at CBC just 12 days after delivering her son Zach, she felt inspired by the “big-time newsroom” of future stars, such as Jim Nunn, Ian Hanomansing, Susan Bonner, and Susan Ormiston. Jones went on to receive many accolades during her CBC career, including being appointed to the Order of Canada and named to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. As a sports figure, she became the first female sports anchor in Halifax, which helped her be accepted in what was a male-dominated field at the time. Her experience in curling set the tone for the rest of her broadcast career.
Jones was part of the early morning team presenting weather and sports on CBC Newsworld, now known as CBC News Network, and is known for her participatory style. Over the decades, viewers have seen her bungee jump, skydive, cycle, arm wrestle, take part in a polar bear dip, and even play tennis while having a live conversation with CBC News anchors. Taking the viewer somewhere is the philosophy behind all of her segments, Jones says.
Sports, particularly curling, has remained a constant in her life. She’s covered 11 Olympic Games for the CBC and was voted one of Nova Scotia’s top athletes of all time. Jones says she hopes when viewers look back at her work, they think of her as someone who loves a good story.
In conclusion, the retirement of Colleen Jones from CBC is a significant milestone in the world of broadcasting and curling. Her remarkable career spanning over three decades has not only left an indelible mark on the hearts of viewers but has also set a high bar for future broadcasters and curlers. As we bid farewell to Jones, we could not help but feel grateful for the years of dedication, enthusiasm, and exemplary service that she brought to our screens. We are confident that her name will forever remain synonymous with CBC and Canadian curling. We wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors as she embarks on a new phase of life. Thank you, Colleen, for the memories, and congratulations on a job well done.
