The Ross G.L. Harstone Trophy is presented each year to the player chosen by his peers as the curler in the Brier who best represents Ross G.L. Harstone's high ideals of good sportsmanship, observance of the rules, exemplary conduct and curling ability.

The trophy -- not nearly as well known to the public as the Brier Tankard -- is of tremedous importance to the competitors because it represents the esteem of one's peers, a judgement that reflects how well you measure up to the curling ideals of sportsmanship.

Ross Harstone was an energetic, positive man who was warm, friendly and full of energy and enthusiasm. He was a strong advocate of curling as a friendly, non-commercial game in which sportsmanship without victory is enough.

Harstone, a keen competitor during his active curling years, wanted strong competition. He was also an active executive, serving as president of the Ontario Curling Association in 1936-37, the Dominion Curling Association (now the Canadian Curling Association) in 1939 and as a vice-president of Scotland's Royal Caledonian Curling Club from 1939 to 1943. He was an honourary life member of the OCA, the DCA and the Sarnia and Lindsay curling clubs.

When organized curling for boys in high school got its start, Harstone was among its staunchest supporters and wisest tutors. Young curlers responded immediately to his simple philosophy that sportsmanship, with it great fellowship and tolerance, comes first.

Harstone was the general chairman of the Dominion Playdowns Committee when the Macdonald Brier was held at the Hamilton Thistle Curling Club in 1949. He was appointed a Brier Trustee in 1952.

Ross Harstone was elected to the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame in 1974 as a builder.

Past Winners of the Ross Harstone Sportsmanship Award

• 2008 - Gerry Adam, Saskatchewan (Second)
• 2007 - Mark Whitehead, NWT/Yukon (Second)
• 2006 - Jean-Michel Menard, Quebec (Skip)
• 2005 - Randy Dutiaume, Manitoba (Skip)
• 2004 - Daniel Lafleur, Quebec (Skip)
• 2003 - Bob Jenion, Manitoba (Third)
• 2002 - Mark Lang, Saskatchewan (Third)
• 2001 - Paul Flemming, Nova Scotia (Skip)
• 2000 - Bryan Miki, British Columbia (Second)
• 1999 - Gerald Shymko, Saskatchewan (Skip)
• 1998 - Toby McDonald, Newfoundland (Skip)
• 1997 - Vic Peters, Manitoba (Skip)
• 1996 - Brian Rafuse, Nova Scotia (Skip)
• 1995 - Rick Folk, British Columbia (Skip)
• 1994 - Mark Noseworthy, Newfoundland (Skip)
• 1993 - Trevor Alexander, Yukon/Northwest Territories (Skip)
• 1992 - Jim Armstrong, British Columbia (Skip)
• 1991 - Rick Lang, Northern Ontario (Skip)
• 1990 - Craig Lepine, British Columbia (Skip)
• 1989 - Bert Gretzinger, British Columbia (Third)
• 1988 - Thomas Hakansson, Nova Scotia (Skip)
• 1987 - Jim Armstrong, British Columbia (Third)
• 1986 - Bill Campbell, Jr., Nova Scotia (Skip)
• 1985 - Daniel Hildebrand, Manitoba (Lead)
• 1984 - John Helston, Manitoba (Second)
• 1983 - Jim Armstrong, British Columbia (Third)
• 1982 - Mark Noseworthy, Newfoundland (Skip)
• 1981 - Mel Watchorn, Alberta (Skip)
• 1980 - Wayne Hamilton, Newfoundland (Skip)
• 1979 - Dr. Wayne Matheson, Prince Edward Island (Skip)
• 1979 - Dave Durrant, Nova Scotia (Lead)
• 1978 - Peter Murray, New Brunswick (Skip)
• 1977 - Joe Power, Jr., Newfoundland (Third)
• 1976 - Jim Ursel, Quebec (Skip)
• 1975 - Harvey Mazinke, Saskatchewan (Skip)
• 1974 - Larry McGrath, Saskatchewan (Skip)
• 1973 - Mel Watchorn, Alberta (Skip)
• 1972 - David Sullivan, New Brunswick (Skip)
• 1971 - R.J. (Bob) Pickering, Saskatchewan (Skip)
• 1970 - Dr. Ed Steeves, New Brunswick (Third)
• 1969 - W.F. (Bill) Piercey, Newfoundland (Skip)
• 1968 - Charles Piper, Jr., Nova Scotia (Third)
• 1967 - Douglas S. McGibney, British Columbia (Skip)
• 1966 - George F. McCharles, Newfoundland (Skip)