After week of uncertainty, Selena Njegovan confirms she'll be on site at Scotties while on pregnancy leave

After almost a week of uncertainty about event accessibility due to her pregnancy leave, Team Lawes vice Selena Njegovan has confirmed she plans to attend the Canadian women's curling championship.

Both Curling Canada and Njegovan said they have cleared things up after a miscommunication led to confusion about her role at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts while on leave.

Njegovan was told last week that she wouldn't have the same access as other athletes at the Feb. 17-26 event. The organization later clarified things with the team and granted her the access she desired as a non-playing alternate.

"I was really excited and we're happy that Curling Canada had changed their minds," Njegovan said. "It seemed like there was miscommunication around all that.

Many teams use an alternate — also called a fifth — at national playdowns and other top events. Traditionally the alternate sees occasional game action and is generally focused on team support duties.

A "non-playing" alternate was a new consideration for Curling Canada at its 18-team competition. The only limitation for Njegovan is she won't be allowed to step on the ice at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops, B.C.

"I think the confusion was this was a brand new situation," she told The Canadian Press from Winnipeg. "They've never ever had something like this before."

Curling Canada's Nolan Thiessen said when an athlete is on the ice at a Scotties game or practice, that would be considered an alternate's duties. Njegovan, who's due in late March, is ineligible for that while on leave.

However, Njegovan will be allowed to sit at the end of the sheet with coach Lisa Weagle, assist players during timeouts and help during practice sessions from the carpeted area at ice level.

When initially told she'd have limited in-venue access, she considered staying home and supporting her teammates remotely via online meetings.

Access clarification came via a team call with Thiessen on Sunday night. He confirmed the changes a couple days later when reached in Edmonton by The Canadian Press.

"I'm definitely going now," said Njegovan, who has clearance from her doctor to travel. "I'm planning to be there the whole time, as long as the girls are playing."

The team had to apply for a pregnancy exemption to allow an out-of-province player to fill in at the competition.

Curling Canada initially limited applications to just the top-five teams in the domestic rankings. After much outcry, including criticism from some high-profile curlers, the organization walked back the policy on two occasions.