News
You can view all the latest British Curling news below. PARALYMPIC GAMES11 March 2010PARALYMPIC GAMES
The 2010 Paralympic Winter Games start on 12th March with the opening ceremony.
Great Britain's wheelchair curlers, Michael McCreadie, Aileen Neilson, Angie Malone, Tom Killin and Jim Sellar face Canada in their opening game at 12.30p.m Pacific time on 13th March. Ten countries, Korea, USA, Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Norway, Italy, Japan and Great Britain are contesting the coveted gold medal. Great Britain got the silver medal in 2006.
The final is scheduled for 20th. March.
You can find more information and results at www.vanoc2010.com and catch some of the action at www.paralympicsport.tv
NB Clocks in Vancouver change on 14th. March to Daylight Saving Time, that's GMT minus seven.
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OLYMPIC GAMES10 February 2010OLYMPIC GAMES
It feels as if it has been a long time coming but the 2010 Olympic Winter Games start on Friday 12th February with the opening ceremony.
Then the games get underway in earnest. The curling starts on Tuesday 16th February when the GB men's team take on Sweden, the 2009 European Champions skipped by Niklas Edin. First stones will be thrown at 0900 local time that's 1700 GMT.
The women's team have a bye on the 16th., they play their opener against 2009 World Champions, China at 0900 local, 1700 GMT, on Wednesday 17th. February.
The Gold medal game in the women's event is scheduled for 1500 local on Friday 26th February, that's 2300 GMT, The men's final will be played at the same time on Saturday 27th. February.
You can follow the results at www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-curling-schedule-results/ |
GB TEAMS AT SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIPS
PARALYMPIC TEAM IN PERTH25 January 2010GB TEAMS AT SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIPS
The round robin stage of the Bruadar Scottish men's championship and the Columba Cream Scottish women's Championship will be played at Dewar's Rinks, Perth this week.
The ten men's team have their first game at 3p.m. on 27th January while the eight women's teams start their round robin at 9a.m. on the 28th.
Because of the Olympics the page playoffs, semi finals and finals will be played on the weekend 5th - 7th March.
The winners will go on to represent Scotland at the Ford World Women's Championship in Swift Current, Canada 20th - 28th March and the Capital One World Men's Championship in Cortina, Italy, 3rd - 11th April 2010.
GB's Paralympic team will also be in action in Perth this week. They'll be playing in an international event featuring teams from Norway, Switzerland, Germany and Sweden.
Games start at 9 a.m. on Friday 29th March and run though to Sunday at 4p.m. |
ALTERNATE REPLACED IN BRITAIN'S WOMEN'S CURLING LINE-UP20 January 2010ALTERNATE REPLACED IN BRITAIN'S WOMEN'S CURLING LINE-UP
Karen Addison, formally selected in December 2009 as fifth player in the women’s team – a non-playing role – has been withdrawn from Great Britain’s women’s curling team for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, which start on 12th February.
She will be replaced by Annie Laird, a world champion from the 2002 team skipped by Jackie Lockhart, who herself will play at third in the 2010 Olympic team.
As a result of the transition, British Curling (the organisation charged with preparing Britain’s Olympic curling teams) nominated these changes to the British Olympic Association (BOA) for ratification.
British Curling can therefore confirm that, following the necessary processes, including time for Karen to appeal the decision, Karen Addison has been deselected from the Team GB women’s curling team.
Although given the opportunity, Karen, who had previously expressed reservations around her role in the team, chose not to appeal this decision.
British Curling has now replaced Karen with Annie Laird, and both of these changes have now been ratified by the BOA. British Curling would like to take this opportunity to thank Karen for her contribution to the programme and to wish her all the best for the future. We will continue to offer her our full support for the remainder of the season.
Commenting, Chris Hildrey, Chair of British Curling said: “We are confident that this change will not impact on performance in Vancouver as it concerns a change to the alternate position, rather than the team on the ice. The fifth player provides cover in the event of illness or injury, and we believe Annie is an excellent new alternate who can provide the necessary back-up. We wish this new line-up every success”.
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GB WOMEN'S TEAM IN SCOTLAND, MEN IN CANADA14 January 2010GB WOMEN'S TEAM IN SCOTLAND, MEN IN CANADA
Eve Muirhead, Jackie Lockhart, Kelly Wood, Lorna Vevers and Karen Addison are in action this weekend at the Glynhill Ladies' International at Braehead, Renfrewshire.
The 24 team event features seven teams who will represent their countries at the Olympics next month. Reigning World Champions China arrived on Tuesday, 2009 European silver medallists Mirjam Ott and her team from Switzerland are all set to go and USA Olympic representives, the team skipped by Debbie McCormick, are settling in.
The first games are timed for 08.00 on Friday 15th with the final scheduled for 14.30 on Sunday 17 January.
You can follow results at www.glynhillladiesinternational.com
The men's team skipped by David Murdoch is in Toronto for the TSN Casino Rama Skins. Only four teams are taking part, but it's quite a field, Canada's Olympic team skipped by Kevin Martin is there as well as Glenn Howard and Randy Ferbey.
The Murdoch V Martin match at 20.00 ET, that's GMT minus five, will be a replay of the 2009 World Men's Championship final.
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GB TEAMS IN ACTION IN CANADA AND SWITZERLAND08 January 2010Just 39 days to go to the opening games at the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver and both GB teams have joined many other Olympic representatives in action this weekend.
The men's team is in Guelph, Ontario for the Swiss Chalet National, the 18 team field includes Kevin Martin and John Shuster, Canada and USA's Olympic representatives along with top Canadian teams skipped by Brad Gushue, Randy Ferbey, Kerry Burtnyk and Glen Howard. It will be quite a show.
For results go to www.grandslamofcurling.com/the-national/
The women's team is in Bern, Switzerland. Every one of the 10 teams will be representing their country in Vancouver including teams from China, Japan and the Canadian team skipped by Cheryl Bernard who won their spot at the Olympics in December.
You can watch results at www.cba-bern.com |
GB CURLING TEAMS ANNOUNCED 17 December 2009GB CURLING TEAMS ANNOUNCED
Team GB will be sending both a men’s and women’s curling team to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games in February.
The Team GB curlers in Vancouver will be:
Men: David Murdoch (skip), Ewan MacDonald, Peter Smith, Euan Byers, Graeme Connal
Women: Eve Muirhead (skip), Jackie Lockhart, Kelly Wood, Lorna Vevers, Karen Addison
The men’s team, who narrowly missed out on a medal at the last Olympic Winter Games in Turin, will enter the Olympic competition in Vancouver as reigning World Champions after defeating host nation Canada in the final in April 2009.
The women’s team are led by 19-year-old skip Eve Muirhead who won three World Junior Championships in a row with Scotland from 2007 to 2009.
Andy Hunt, Team GB Chef de Mission said:
“In recent Olympic Winter Games, curling has provided some special moments for Team GB. It’s a sport with centuries of tradition for us and the curlers selected today will form an integral part of our team in Vancouver.
“Competing in Canada will provide an extra spur – it’s only when you go there that you realise the depth of affection that Canadians have for curling. They will be formidable opponents, but they won’t be alone - the recent European Championships showed that standards across the sport are extremely high.
“In David and Eve, Team GB has two highly skilled skips leading talented, dedicated and experienced teams. The British Olympic Association will do everything it can to support them and I wish them well in their final preparations.”
Commenting on their selection:
David Murdoch said:
“I can’t wait for the Olympics to start. It’s the pinnacle of our sport, the competition that everybody wants to be involved in. The Games in Turin ended in such a frustrating way, when we missed out on a medal by the narrowest of margins, and I’m very keen to have another opportunity to compete for an Olympic medal with Team GB. We go as World Champions, but we know the competition will be very tough, particularly from the host nation. Curling is hugely popular in Canada, so we know there will be a lot of interest in our event.”
Eve Muirhead said:
“It’s been a long-held ambition of mine to compete at an Olympic Winter Games for Team GB, and it’s very exciting to have been selected as Skip to the women’s team. We’ve gelled very well as a unit, and had some excellent results, so it’s about doing everything we can to make sure that we hit peak form at exactly the right time. We’ve got a huge amount of talent and experience in our team – and we’re all very keen to get to Vancouver, and get on with competing.”
Chris Hildrey, British Curling Chairman, said:
"I'd like to congratulate these athletes on their selection to Team GB as we enter the final stages of preparation for medal success in Vancouver. The passion, commitment and professionalism they have displayed over recent months has been admirable and with their selection now confirmed, they will be able to focus efforts on achieving the ultimate goal in Vancouver, whilst hopefully enjoying the Olympic experience."
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EWAN McDONALD CURLING ATHLETE OF THE YEAR17 December 2009EWAN McDONALD CURLING ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Ewan McDonald, 2009 World Curling Champion, has been named by the British Olympic Association as curling's Athlete of the Year.
Andy Hunt, BOA Chief Executive said "With the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games just around the corner, it is fantastic for British winter sport that we have two World Champions."
An athlete in every Olympic sport, winter and summer, is recognised every year by the BOA as the top performing athlete in their discipline.
There are 33 Olympic sports and the winner of the award for each sport is presented with a trophy by the British Olympic Association. |
EUROPEAN CURLING CHAMPIONSHIPS04 December 2009EUROPEAN CURLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 2009 European Championships in Aberdeen, Scotland is the last major international event before the Olympics in February.
Most of the competing teams will be representing their countries at the Olympics, so it's a great opportunity to check out the form of the athletes.
The GB traing squad teams skipped by David Murdoch and Eve Muirhead will be in action, the Murdoch team defending the title they won in 2008.
The first games are scheduled for 8.00 a.m. on Saturday 5th Decemeber, in that draw Scotland meet Sweden, at noon on the same day the women play Italy.
You can find the full draw and results at www.ecc2009.co.uk
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TRAINING SQUADS IN ACTION26 November 2009TRAINING SQUADS IN ACTION
All three training squads are in action this weekend in Canada and Europe.
The women's squad are in Wetzikon, Switzerland for the ZO Cup, the field includes Switzerland's Olympic skip Mirjam Ott. Eve Muirhead and her team have their first game on Friday at 11.45 CET. Results at www.curling-wetzikon.ch
The men are in Scotland at the Edinburgh International. It's their last event before the European Championships start next weekend. Fellow European contenders Germany's Andy Kapp, Thomas Dufour from France and Tomi Rantamaki from Finland will be in Edinburgh. The GB training squad have their first game on Friday morning. You can check results at www.murrayfieldinternational.com
The Paralympic squad members are the farthest travelled this weekend, they're in Ottawa, Canada for the fifth Cathy Kerr memorial competitions. A total of 15 wheelchair teams will be taking part, 10 of them in the competive section. Two USA teams are included in the draw at the RA Curling Club in Ottawa.
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FACING THE MEDIA24 November 2009
 
 FACING THE MEDIA
All three GB training squads, men, women and Paralympic faced the media at The Peak in Stirling this week.
Members of broadcast and print media were invited to meet the athletes for interviews and of course photo opportunities. The training squad members were put through their paces both on and off the ice and were closely questioned about their prospects for medals at both the Olympic and Paralympic games.
As you can see from the photographs, it's not an easy jon being a top athlete! |
MEN'S OLYMPIC SQUAD AND PARALYMPIC SQUAD IN SWITZERLAND11 November 2009MEN'S OLYMPIC SQUAD AND PARALYMPIC SQUAD IN SWITZERLAND
David Murdoch, Ewan McDonald, Pete Smith, Euan Byers and Graeme Connal will be in Switzerland this weekend for the Lucerne Curling Trophy from 12-15 November. 24 teams in four groups will battle it out over the weekend. The field includes Olympic hopefuls Thomas Ulsrud, Ralph Stockli and Niklas Edin. Team Murdoch's first game is scheduled for 9p.m. CET, that's GMT plus one. You can follow their progress at www.lucerne-curling.com
The Parlympic squad, Michael McCreadie, Aileen Neilson, Tom Killin, Angie Malone and Jim Sellar are in Switzerland as well, Berne this time for the Rolli Trophy. The dates are 13-15 November. The squad have their first game against Basel at 08.30 CET on Friday, that's GMT plus one. The website to check is www.cba-bern.com
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WOMEN IN RED DEER06 November 2009Eve Muirhead, Jackie Lockhart, Kelly Wood, Lorna Vevers and Karen Addison are in Red Deer, Alberta for the Red Deer Classic this weekend.
They face June Campbell from Alberta in their opening game scheduled for 1300 Mountain Time today, that's GMT minus seven, so the game starts at 2000 GMT.
As with most World Curling Tour Events the format is triple knockout. Jennifer Jones, Canadian champion, is in the line up once again.
You can find the results at www.worldcurlingtour.com.
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GB MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SQUADS IN CANADA28 October 2009It's anoher big weekend for the GB squads in Canada.
The men are in Brooks, Alberta for the Cactus Pheasant Classic, the event has attracted a star studded field including Kevin Martin, Randy Ferbey and Kevin Koe. It starts tomorrow, Thursday 29th. October.
David Murdoch's team have their first game 11.45a.m local time, that's GMT minus six hours, on Thursday against Greg McAulay, the 2000 World Champion.
You can follow the event at www.pheasantclassic.com
Be aware clocks in Canada change on Sunday!
Meanwhile the women, fresh from winning the Three Nations last weekend, are in Saskatoon for the Colonial Square Ladies Classic which starts on Friday.
The field includes Canada's Jennifer Jones, Mirjam Ott from Switzerland and Bingyu Wang, reigning world champion, from China.
Results will be available at www.worldcurlingtour.com
Again the time difference is GMT minus six.
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ALL GB SQUADS IN ACTION 21 October 2009ALL GB SQUADS IN ACTION
It's a busy week for all three GB squads.
The Paralympic squad members are in action at the Kinross Wheelchair Curling International which started yesterday. Five international teams join the GB squad and three Scottish teams in this event.
Canada, USA, Norway, Switzerland and Germany are represented by their Paralympic teams so it should be quite an event.
The finals are scheduled for 15.00 on Thursday 22nd.
Both the men's and women's GB squad teams are in Missisauga this weekend. The men are at the Grey Power World Cup of Curling which features a number of Olympic hopefuls including China, Germany, USA, Norway, France, Sweden and Denmark and of course many top Canadian teams.
Team GB skipped by David Murdoch take on Switzerland's Ralph Stockli in their first game on Thursday 22nd. October at 09.30 Eastern Time.
The Three Nations Cup is the women's event. The field features top Canadian team and the World Champions from China.
Eve Muirhead and her team take on Shannon Kleibrink from Canada in their opening game on Friday 23rd. October at 16.30 Eastern Time.
You can find results for the men's and women's events at www.worldcurlingtour.com |
CURLING CHAMPIONS TOUR BERN OPEN13 October 2009CURLING CHAMPIONS TOUR BERN OPEN
The GB men's squad is off to Bern this weekend for the latest event in the Curling Champions Tour.
The team list has many well known names including Thomas Ulsrud from Norway, the current tour leader, and Canada's Mark Dacey, the 2004 World Bronze Medallist.
The games start at 08.00, the time in Switzerland is GMT + one.
You can follow the event at www.cba-bern.com and www.curlingchampionstour.com
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WOMEN IN BASEL09 October 2009WOMEN IN BASEL
This week it's the turn of the women's squad to visit Switzerland for the ReMax Women's Masters in Basel.
Eve Muirhead, Jackie Lockhart, Kelly Wood, Lorna Vevers and Karen Addison face a tough weekend, Sweden's Olympic representative, Anette Norberg, is there along with fellow Olympic challengers Andrea Schopp from Germany and Debbie McCormick from the USA.
The GB squad face England's Kirsty Balfour in their first game on Friday morning. The final is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
You can follow the results at www.curlingchampionstour.com |
SUCCESS FOR PARALYMPIC SQUAD MEMBERS IN KINROSS
GB MEN'S SQUAD IN BASEL05 October 2009GB Paralympic squad members Michael McCreadie, Aileen Neilson, Tom Killin and Angie Malone won the British Open for wheelchair curlers in Kinross at the weekend. They met Jim Taylor's team in the final and came out the winners 5/3.
Meanwhile in Switzerland the GB men's squad skipped by David Murdoch played in the Swiss Cup in Basel. They got through to the quarter finals but lost out to Sweden's Niklas Edin. Norway's Thomas Ulsrud took the title beating Edin 8/7 in the final.
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GB MEN'S SQUAD IN BASEL02 October 2009GB MEN'S SQUAD IN BASEL
It's the Swiss Cup in Basel this weekend, the field features many of the best known names in curling.
The GB men's squad skipped by David Murdoch is there, along with Randy Ferbey from Canada, the German Olympic team skipped by Andy Kapp, John Shuster and his team from the USA, Norway's Thomas Ulsrud, Niklas Edin from Sweden and the old warhorse himself, the 2002 Olympic Gold Medallist, Pal Trulsen.
It should be quite an event. You can follow the results on www.swisscupbasel.ch
The first games started on Friday 2nd. October at 09.00. |
WHEELCHAIR TRAINING SQUAD ANNOUNCED30 September 2009WHEELCHAIR CURLING SQUAD ANNOUNCED
British Curling has named the five athletes who will make up the British Wheelchair training squad preparing for the Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver next year. They are:
Tom Killin: Paralympic Games silver 2006, World Wheelchair Championship gold 2005
Angie Malone: Paralympic Games silver 2006, World Wheelchair Championship gold 2004, 2005, bronze 2007
Michael McCreadie: Paralympic Games silver 2006, World Wheelchair Championship gold 2004, 2005, bronze 2002, 2007.
Aileen Neilson: World Wheelchair bronze 2007
Jim Sellar: World Wheelchair gold 2004, bronze 2002 and 2007
The British Wheelchair Curling squad is not the British Paralympic team, the athletes named in the training squad are not guaranteed selection for Vancouver 2010. The final selection will take place in December 2009. British Curling nominates the athletes to the British Paralympic Association who in turn ratify,select and announce the team.
Derek Brown, British Curling’s Performance Director and sportscotland Institute of Sport Head Curling Coach, said: “It is always difficult to make these types of decisions, however I feel we have selected the best athletes available to work towards success in Vancouver. The athletes selected know there is no room for complacency as selection for this squad does not in itself guarantee a place on the Paralympic Team.”
Tom Pendreigh, Head Wheelchair Curling Coach said “The GB squad will undertake an intensive training and competition schedule between now and the final selection date in December 2009 and I am looking forward to leading the squad in their final preparations for Vancouver.”
Chris Hildrey, Chairman of British Curling, said: "This is another important stage in the preparation of the athletes and support staff as we continue the quest for podium finishes at the Olympics and Paralympics in 2010. We offer our thanks for the fantastic levels of commitment that have been given by the athletes, coaches and service providers to date and I can assure all involved that British Curling is focused on providing the levels of resource and support everyone involved in the programme needs to achieve medals."
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THE SEASON STARTS NOW10 September 2009THE SEASON STARTS NOW
All GB squad teams are in action at events in Europe and Canada this weekend.
The Paralympic squad is in Copenhagen for the Danish International at Taarnby Curling Club. So far no website found but will keep looking.
The women's team is in Oakville Ontario for the Ontario Curling Tour, they face their fisrt game today (Thursday) at 09.15 Eastern time. www.ontariocurlingtour.com
The men are in Baden for the Baden Masters featuring top teams from all over Europe and Canada. They meet Mark Dacey in their opening game at 08.00 on Friday 11th. September.
www.baden-masters.ccbadenregio.ch
It's the start of the final run up to the Olympics in February. The squads have not been idle over the close season, they've had a full training schedule over the summer.
Now they are ready to take on the world's best in the run up to the final team selection in December. |
DAVID MURDOCH LIVE ON BBC RADIO 5 LIVE05 September 2009DAVID MURDOCH LIVE ON BBC RADIO 5 LIVE
Tune into BBC Radio 5 Live at 10p.m. on Monday 7th. September to hear a live interview with David Murdoch.
The interview with David, reigning World Men's Curling Champion and skip of the Olympic squad, is part of a Winter Olympics Special looking forward to the Olympics in Vancouver starting on 12th. February 2010.
The half hour programme will include an interview with Andy Hunt, Chief Executive of the BOA about the preparations leading up to the Olympics, the two man bobsleigh team and a short track speed skater will feature as well. |
THE DRAW FOR THE PARALYMPIC CURLING 2010 ANNOUNCED11 August 2009THE DRAW FOR THE PARALYMPIC CURLING 2010 ANNOUNCED
The World Curling Federation has released the draw for the Paralympic curling in Vancouver 2010.
Great Britain, 2006 silver medallists, take to the ice on 13th. March in their opening game against Canada at 12.30p.m. Vancouver time, followed by Norway at 6p.m.
Next day they meet Switzerland in the evening, On Monday 15th they face Korea midday and USA in the evening. Tuesday they have just one draw against Germany in the evening. Wednesday the team takes on Sweden at 12.30p.m. and have the rest of the day off.
Thursday is the day for the final round robin games against Italy and Japan, tie breakers are scheduled for Friday 19th March.
The semi finals will be played at 10.00a.m. on Saturday 20th. March followed by the bronze and gold medal games at 3.30p.m.
For the full draw see www.worldcurling.org
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WORLD CURLING FEDERATION RELEASES DRAW FOR 2010 OLYMPIC CURLING29 July 2009WORLD CURLING FEDERATION RELEASES DRAW FOR 2010 OLYMPIC CURLING
For Great Britain's curling teams the Olympics starts in earnest on 16th. February 2010 at 0900 Vancouver time when the men's team take on Sweden.
On 17th. the men face France at 1400, they have two draws on the 18th., Switzerland at 0900 then Denmark at 1900. The men have a day off on 19th., then take on China at 0900 and Canada at 1900 on the 20th. USA is the target at 1400 on the 21st., Germany at 1900 on the 22nd. Their last round robin game against Norway is scheduled for 1400 on 23rd. February.
The women don't start till the 17th when the face China at 0900 and Sweden at 1900. On 18th it's Russia at 1400, 19th is Germany at 0900 and Japan at 1900. USA is the opposition at 1400 on 20th., Switzerland at 0900 on 21st. Their last two games are scheduled for 1400 on 22nd against Denmark and 0900 on 23rd against Canada.
24th is tie breaker day, 25th women's semi finals at 0900, men at 1500. The women's bronze medal will be played at 0900 on the 26th followed at 1500 by the women's final and medal ceremony.
27th is men's bronze at 0900 and men's final and medal ceremony at 1500.
You can find the full draw at www.worldcurling.org |
BRITISH CURLING CONFIRMS STARTING LINE UP FOR NEXT SEASON07 May 2009British Curling Confirms Starting Line-up for Next Season
Following on from last week’s Great Britain Squad announcement, British Curling has today confirmed the proposed starting line-up for the Women’s Squad for next season. The initial line-up is as follows:
Skip – Eve Muirhead
Vice-skip – Jackie Lockhart
Second – Kelly Wood
Lead – Lorna Vevers
Alternate – Karen Addison
Olympic Coach Nancy Murdoch stated “Naming the positions of the squad in advance gives us maximum opportunity going forward to shape and gel together as a team, until the final team selection and positions are announced in December. I believe this combination of athletes offers the greatest potential for success in Vancouver 2010.”
Nancy Murdoch
Olympic Curling Coach (Women) |
BRITISH CURLING TRAINING SQUADS ANNOUNCED01 May 2009BRITISH CURLING TRAINING SQUADS ANNOUNCED
British Curling today (Friday, May 1) names the 16 athletes who will make up the men’s, women’s and wheelchair British training squads for Vancouver 2010.
British Curling, the organisation responsible for representing and promoting elite curling in Britain, funded and supported by UK Sport and sportscotland, has reduced both its men’s and women’s squads from six to five athletes today. This process is designed to give those athletes selected sufficient time and opportunity to train and compete together as a team in advance of the selection deadline for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver next February.
The men’s and women’s squads announced today are not the British Olympic teams and athletes named in these training squads are not guaranteed selection for Vancouver 2010. Final selection for the 2010 Games teams will take place in December this year. British Curling nominates the athletes to the British Olympic Association, who in turn ratify, select and announce the team.
The training squads announced today are as follows (in alphabetical order):
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Men
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Women
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Euan Byers
World Junior gold medallist 1996, World Men’s gold 2006 and 2009, European gold 2003, 2007, 2008, Olympic Games 2006
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Karen Addison
World Junior gold in 1990 and 1992, World Women’s bronze 2007, European silver 1995, 2007
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Graeme Connal
World Men’s gold 1991,2009, European gold 2007, 2008
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Jackie Lockhart
World Women’s gold 2002, silver 1985, bronze 2007, European silver 2007, Olympic Games 1992,1998 and 2006
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Ewan MacDonald
World Men’s gold 1999, 2006,2009, European Gold 1999, 2008,
Olympic Games 2002 and 2006
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Eve Muirhead
World Junior gold 2007, 2008, 2009
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Dave Murdoch
World Junior gold 1995, 1996, World Men’s Gold 2006, 2009, European gold 2003, 2007, 2008,
Olympic Games 2006
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Lorna Vevers
World Women’s bronze 2007, European silver 2007
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Peter Smith
World Junior gold 1986, World Men’s gold 1991, 2006, 2009, European gold, 1998, 2007, 2008
Olympic Games 1988
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Kelly Wood
World Women’s bronze 2007, European silver 2007,
Olympic Games 2006
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The British Wheelchair Curling squad will remain as a group of six athletes until later this year, when the training squad will be reduced to five members in a similar process to that announced today for the men’s and women’s squads. Final selection will take place in December, subject to ratification by the British Paralympic Association. In the meantime the wheelchair curling squad remains as follows:
Tom Killin, Paralympic Games silver 2006, World Wheelchair Championship gold 2005
Rosemary Lenton World Wheelchair Championship 2008, 2009
Angie Malone, Paralympic Games silver 2006, World Wheelchair Championship gold 2004, 2005, bronze 2007
Michael McCreadie, Paralympic Games silver 2006, World Wheelchair Championship gold 2004, 2005, bronze 2002, 2007.
Aileen Neilson, World Wheelchair bronze 2007
Jim Sellar, World Wheelchair gold 2004, bronze 2002 and 2007
Derek Brown, British Curling’s Performance Director and sportscotland Institute of Sport Head Curling Coach, said: “It is always difficult to make these types of decisions, however I feel we have selected the best athletes available to work towards success in Vancouver. The athletes selected today know there is no room for complacency as selection for these squads does not in itself guarantee a place on the Olympic or Paralympic Team. The GB squads will undertake an intensive training and competition schedule between now and the final selection date in December 2009.”
Chris Hildrey, Chairman of British Curling, said: "This is another important stage in the preparation of the athletes and support staff as we continue the quest for podium finishes at the Olympics and Paralympics in 2010. We offer our thanks for the fantastic levels of commitment that have been given by the athletes, coaches and
service providers to date and I can assure all involved that British Curling is focused on providing the levels of resource and support everyone involved in the programme needs to achieve medals."
There will be a further announcement on the 7th May regarding the initial team positions for the women’s squad.
The athletes who are not continuing in the squads at this stage are Lynn Cameron, Warwick Smith and Craig Wilson. The wheelchair squad remains unchanged.
British Curling is currently focused on helping deliver medals for Team GB and Paralympics GB at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and Winter Paralympic Games. Longer term, the organisation is committed to the development of a sustainable programme that will ensure British curlers achieve their potential and deliver medals beyond 2010.
British Curling is a performance-focused organisation which works with its partners to ensure British curlers are given the best possible foundation for success when they represent Great Britain. BC is committed to working in partnership with home nation governing bodies and a number of other partners to create an infrastructure that serves elite British curlers as effectively as possible.
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GOLD FOR GB SQUAD MEMBERS15 April 2009GOLD FOR GB SQUAD MEMBERS
David Murdoch, Ewan MacDonald, Peter Smith and Euan Byers, all members of the Great Britain Olympic squad won the World Men's Curling Cgampionship in Moncton Canada.
They met Canada in the final, the team had already beaten Canada twice in the Championship in the round robin and the 1 V 2 playoff game.
It was a tight game for the first few ends, the teams were tied at four all after six ends. Canada had to draw against three Scottish  counters in end seven, but they had a lead of one, in the eighth Scotland’s David Murdoch was too heavy with his last stone, Canada stole one for a two shot lead. Scotland fought back with a two score in end nine to tie the game. The final end was tense, Canada had last stone advantage. David Murdoch had a tap up to lie shot, Martin threw his first stone through, but he still faced that one shot with his last stone, he tried a hit but left Scotland lying two shots for game, Scotland won the Championship 8/6. Photograph David Murdoch, Ewan MacDonald, Peter Smith, Euan Byers
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GOLD AND SILVER FOR GREAT BRITAIN20 February 2009 GOLD AND SILVER FOR GREAT BRITAIN
Great Britain’s women’s curling team won gold at the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Poland while the men’s team got silver.
The women’s team went through the round robin losing just one game to Denmark, going on to beat Denmark in the semi final. The men dropped one game to Switzerland in the round robin and won against Norway in the semi final.
Both played teams from Switzerland in the final games, Anna Sloan, Hannah Flemming, Lauren Gray, Alice Spence and alternate Becca Kesley won their game on a score line of 8/4 after nine ends. They looked the stronger team from the start holding a three shot lead at the half way point. Switzerland couldn’t catch up and Great Britain won the gold medal.
Colin Dick, Blair Fraser, Jay McWilliam, Kerr Drummond and alternate Struan Wood had a much tighter game in their final against Switzerland. They led by just one shot after eight ends, with last stone advantage the Swiss blanked the ninth end and scored two shots in the tenth and final end for the game 6/5, Great Britain had to settle for the silver medal.
The teams arrive at Glasgow Airport on Saturday 21 February at 17.20. |
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF DAVID MURDOCH16 February 2009A DAY IN THE LIFE OF DAVID MURDOCH
30 year old David Murdoch from Lockerbie is a member of the initial Great Britain curling squad for the 2010 Winter Olympics.
The final squad selection will be made in May this year and David is determined to be part of that squad.
David has been curling for 20 years and has already packed a lot into that time, he skipped his team to victory at the European Curling Championships in December 2008, the third time he has won the European title.
He got silver at the 2008 World Men’s Curling Championship, his second World silver, he won gold in 2006.
David has experienced Olympics before, in 2006 he took fourth place at the Turin Olympics.
All that success doesn’t come easy, you have to work at it and as a full time athlete David devotes much of his life to honing both his fitness and curling skills.
So how does David spend a his working days?
The day starts with breakfast, and even that part of David’s life is controlled, he has the benefit of advice from a nutritionist to make sure he eats the right things at the right time.
Then he sets off for work, first to the Scottish Institute of Sport in Stirling where his day starts with physical training. That involves weight training and cardiovascular work to ensure David is in top physical condition. And just in case a physiotherapist is on hand to deal with any niggling aches and pains.
Then it’s off to Perth and the ice rink there. David will spend as much as two hours a day on ice throwing stones improving his playing skills.
A day like this is common for David throughout the curling season depending on the competition calendar. If a weekend competition is on the schedule the training can take up two days of the week, travelling and competing the rest of the week.
Out of the curling season the training goes on daily.
“It’s all about building up and maintaining fitness for the competitive season” says David.
“Sometimes I feel a bit like a lab rat but it is fantastic to have all the support. I am on a full diet programme, that’s important in competition, what I eat and when I eat is controlled to make sure I am as good as I can be. For example it’s important to have fluid and snacks when playing a game, it’s amazing how much fluid you lose during a game. Outside of competition it’s vital to follow the nutritionist’s advice. What you eat can build and maintain your body.”
“I am so focused on the Olympics I do everything I can to win a gold medal. It’s part of the job to treat my body well.”
David enjoys being part of the Institute of Sport, “I meet athletes from other disciplines, they are all giving it the maximum effort. And it’s great to have all the knowledge of the staff on call.”
This week David will be defending his title at the Scottish Curling Championships in Perth
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ANNA SLOAN CARRIES THE FLAG16 February 2009
ANNA SLOAN CARRIES THE FLAG
Anna Sloan was selected to carry the Great Britain flag at today’s Opening Ceremony at the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival (EYOWF) taking place in Slask-Beskidy, Poland.
The 18-year-old curler from Lockerbie was ‘thrilled and honoured’ to be chosen as Team GB’s flag bearer, leading the 32 Great Britain athletes out in front of a packed crowd in Szczyrk.
Sloan has been curling since the age of nine and earlier this month her team, Muirhead, won the Scottish Junior Championships qualifying themselves for the World Junior Championships next month in Vancouver.
Sloan and her team are coached at the EYOWF by 2002 Curling Olympic Gold medallists Rhona Martin and Debbie Knox.
Speaking after the Opening Ceremony, Sloan said:
“It was such a surprise to be chosen as Team GB’s flagbearer and I was so excited to lead the team out. The EYWOF is a great way to gain international experience. My ambition is to be selected for Team GB at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.”
Photograph courtesy of the British Olympic Association
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CHINA BOUND14 February 2009CHINA BOUND
Harbin in China is the venue for the World University Games and the Great Britain men's and women's team started their long journey from Glasgow Airport on Saturday morning.
The 10 athletes, Kay Adams, Vicki Adams, Laura Kirkpatrick, Sarah Macintyre, Sarah Reid and men's team Ian Copland, Michael Goodfellow, Andrew Craigie, John Hamilton and Thomas Pendreigh were accompanied by coaches Cate Brewster and David Ramsay. |
ATHLETES FLY OFF TO POLAND13 February 2009ATHLETES FLY OFF TO POLAND.
The men's and women's teams representing Great Britain at the European Youth Olympic Festival started their journey at Edinburgh Airport on Friday.
Blair Fraser, Kerr Drummond, Colin Dick, Struan Wood and Jay MacWilliam met up with Hannah Fleming, Lauren Gray, Rebecca Kesley, Anna Sloan and Alice Spence for the first leg of the journey.
Coaches Rhona Martin, Debbie Knox and Hazel Wood will be looking after the teams all the way through the Festival. |
WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES UNIVERSIADE05 February 2009WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES UNIVERSIADE 18 - 28 FEBRUARY 2009
A men’s and a women’s team will represent Great Britain in the curling discipline at the 24th World University Games in China from 18th to 28th February 2009.
Kay Adams, Vicki Adams, Laura Kirkpatrick, Sarah Macintyre and Sarah Reid will play in the women’s event and there’s plenty of experience in the team.
The two Sarahs and Laura Kirkpatrick all played in the 2007 Universiade in Italy.
Sisters Kay and Vicki Adams are from Stranraer and were members of the team which won the World Junior Championship in 2008, Kay has a bronze medal from the 2005 European Youth Olympic Festival.
Locxkerbie is home for Laura Kirkpartick , she’s competed twice at World Junior Championships and has the experience of World University Games from 2007.
Sarah Macintyre comes from Inverness, she too has the experience of international curling at top level, she won gold at World Junior Curling Championships in 2007 and 2008 and played in the 2007 World University Games. In 2008 she was awarded the title Athlete of the Year by Strathclyde University.
Ayrshire’s Sarah Reid has had success at international events as well, she was the World Junior Curling Champion in 2007 and played in the World Univeristy Games the same year.
The Great Britain men’s team is Ian Copland, Michael Goodfellow, Andrew Craigie, John Hamilton and Tom Pendreigh.
John Hamilton and Andrew Craigie represented Great Britain at the World University Games in 2007 in Italy getting the silver medal, Andrew has a gold medal from the 2005 European Youth Olympic Festival.
22 year old Andrew Craigie from Inverness, graduated last year from Strathclyde University with a degree in computer science. Andrew has been curling since he was nine years old. “I can’t wait, especially after experience in 2007, we came so close to gold, I want to go one step better. It’s going to be the one to be at. I saw Harbin on the Wild China programme on TV, the ice festival looked phenomenal.”
Ian Copland from Edinburgh is 18, he comes from a curling family. Ian is studying law at Glasgow University. He has been curling since he was eight years old, he has won the Under 17 Grand Slam, and took fourth spot in the Scottish Junior Championship last two years. This is his first international experience. “ I am really looking forward to it. We know some of the teams, the Chinese team for example got fourth place at their first World Men’s Curling Championship in 2008. It will be a great experience hopefully we will win a gold medal. I am proud to represent Great Britain.”
19 year old Tom Pendreigh has been curling since he was eight, Civil Engineering is his course at Strahclyde University. “I have spoken to the university and it’s up to me to do what I can can or catch up.” Tom has been second, third and fourth in Scottish Junior Championships and ranked fourth in the new European Junior Curling Tour this year. His ambition? “To win gold in Harbin. I am really excited about China, it will be a great experience, and a different culture.”
John Hamilton is 26 and comes from Edinburgh, he’s studying health science at Napier University. John, from a curling family, has been curling 15 years. He has been fifth in the Scottish Men’s Championship twice,runner up juniors 2001, and runner up at everything else. “This is the year for finishing first.”
John got a silver medal in the 2007 World University Games, he says “While experience in Italy was great, China will be such a different culture, so many people there, it will different from everything else.”
20 year old Michael Goodfellow from Stirling has been curling for 10 years, he is studying history at Strathclyde University. He has been fourth in the Scottish Junior Championship. “It’s going to be a great experience going to a country like China, and playing against the top players from other countries.
Curling was a discipline at the World University Games in 2003 and 2007, Great Britain men took fourth place in 2003 and second in 2007. Great Britain women were not represented in 2003, they finished 10th in 2007.
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GB SQUADS IN ACTION IN PERTH AND BERNE08 January 2009GB SQUADS IN ACTION IN PERTH AND BERNE
Members of the initial GB Olympic Squads both men and women are in action this weekend in World Curling Tour Europe events in Scotland and Switzerland.
David Murdoch, Ewan MacDonald, Peter Smith and Euan Byers are playing in the Ramada Perth Masters. 32 teams are lined up for the Masters including Brad Gushue from Canada the 2006 Olympic Champion. There's a strong contingent of Canadians in Perth including Kerry Burtnyk and Wayne Middaugh.
The Masters runs from 8th - 11th January.
Jackie Lockhart, Eve Muirhead, Lorna Vevers, Lynn Cameron and Karen Addison from the women's squad are in Berne, Switzerland for the Bernese Ladies' Cup. They'll be facing some tough opposition including Switzerland's Mirjam Ott who won the European Championship in December and Bingyu Wang and her team from China, the 2008 World silver medallists.
The Bernese Ladies' Cup starts on Friday 9th January with the finals scheduled for Sunday 11th January. |
TEAM FOR THE 2009 WORLD WHEELCHAIR CHAMPIONSHIP ANNOUNCED.16 December 2008TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2009 WORLD WHEELCHAIR CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP ANNOUNCED
Team Scotland for the World Wheelchair Curling Championship, Vancouver BC
The Scottish Wheelchair Curling Association is pleased to announce that the following players have been selected to represent Team Scotland at the World Wheelchair Curling Championships in Vancouver BC in February, 2009:
Michael McCreadie
Aileen Neilson
Tom Killin
Jim Sellar
Rosemary Lenton
All five team members are part of the GB squad for the Paralympics in 2010.
The coach is Tom Pendreigh who has worked with all the athletes and will be with the Team in Vancouver.
We wish them all the very best for the World Wheelchair Curling Championships.
Arthur Bell
Chairman SWCA
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EUORPEAN CURLING CHAMPIONSHIPS 200816 December 2008 EUORPEAN CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP 2008
David Murdoch, Ewan MacDonald, Peter Smith and Euan Byers, all GB squad members, retained the European Curling Championship in Sweden.
It was a nail biting final against Norway, a repeat of the 2007 final. Norway led from the start of the game, Murdoch was chasing the game, with last stone advantage he played a great double in the tenth end to tie the score, the game went to an extra end.
In the extra Murdoch lay shot, Thomas Ulsrud, the Norweigan skip, tried to draw to the shot stone, he was a fraction heavy and slipped past. Murdoch got the single for the game 7/6. |
DAVID MURDOCH NOMINATED ATHLETE OF THE YEAR11 December 2008BRITISH CURLING ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 2008
British Curling, responsible for the selection the team for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, has nominated David Murdoch as Athlete of the Year.
David Murdoch is 30 and lives in Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire. David comes from a family with a long tradition in curling, he has been curling for twenty years. David has had a great curling career. He won his first title as World Junior Champion in 1995, he got another gold the following year but had to settle for silver in 1998.
He won the Scottish Men's Championship in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2008. That took him to World Championships getting silver in 2005 and 2008, he won the gold medal in 2006. He has won the European Championships twice in 2003 and 2007.
David competed at the Olympic Games in 2006 taking fourth spot, he's aiming for Gold in 2010.
David said “I have had a fantastic year winning the European Championships in 2007 and getting silver at the World Championship in 2008. I am looking forward to competing at the Olympics in Vancouver 2010.”
The nominated athletes are invited to the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year Award Ceremony. David won’t be able to attend, he’ll be on his way home from the European Curling Championship just before traveling to Canada for the Continental Cup, the Americas versus the World, the Ryder cup of curling.
The Athlete of the Year Award is encouraged by the British Olympic Association, all the governing bodies of Olympic sports have the opportunity to nominate an athlete from their discipline. The nomination for British Curling is decided by a panel based on results from statistics from World and European Championships 2007/2008.
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BRITISH CURLING ATHLETES ON TOUR27 November 2008BRITISH CURLING ATHLETES ON TOUR
David Murdoch, Ewan MacDonald, Peter Smith nad Euan Byers will be in Edinburgh this weekend for the World Curling Tour-Europe event the Edinburgh International.
The International has attracted 24 entries including a good number of European teams. They include Andy Kapp from Germany and Ireland's John Kenny, like the Murdoch team they'll be competing in the European Championships starting on 6 December in Sweden.
Eve Muirhead is in Wetzikon, Switzerland this weekend. She faces some tough opposition there in a field including Miriam Ott from Switzerland and Andrea Schopp from Germany.
Along with Kirsty Balfour from England and Italy's Diana Gaspari, Ott, Schopp and Eve will be at the Europeans the following weekend. |
SPONSORS' DAY IN PERTH20 November 2008 SPONSORS' DAY IN PERTH
Primary General Limited, a commercial underwriting company, sponsors of British Curling, invited some of their customers to a day on the ice with the benefit of coaching from GB squad athletes.
It was the first time on the ice for many but there was plenty of help on hand from squad members David Murdoch, Pete Smith, Ewan MacDonald, Eve Muirhead and Paralympic squad members Michael McCreadie, Aileen Neilson, Angie Malone and Tom Killin. And to keep them right coaches Derek Brown, David Hay, Nancy Murdoch and Tom Pendreigh were standing by.
The novice curlers saw film of GB success at the 2002 Olympics and Scottish teams winning at World Championships.
Then it was on to the ice for some tips on how to throw a stone, before going into a 'real' game.
The newcomers soon got the hang of the game and had a great afternoon trying the sport. They all came off the ice with a new understanding and appreciation of the sport.
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MEN'S SQUAD IN SWITZERLAND14 November 2008MEN'S SQUAD IN SWITZERLAND
David Murdoch, Craig Wilson, Ewan MacDonald and Euan Byers are in Switzerland this weekend for the Lucerne Cup, part of the World Curling Tour Europe programme.
24 teams will play in four sections over the next couple of days aiming for Sunday's final.
The Murdoch four have recorded their first victory winning against Denmark's Johnny Frederiksen this morning. |
2010 OLYMPICS TCIKETS13 November 20082010 OLYMPIC TICKETS
Sportsworld, the official ticket and tour operator, for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver has announced pre registration of interest in tickets and packages for Olympic events in 2010.
Sportsworld will keep in touch with those who pre-register with up to date information on ticketing and packaging.
Information you provide will help the company tailor the packages to suit your requirements.
Check it out on www.sportsworld.co.uk/vancouver or call them on 01235 544404 or 01235 555844 |
GB SQUADS IN CANADA06 November 2008GB SQUADS IN CANADA
David Murdoch, Warwick Smith, Peter Smith and Euan Byers are in Lloydminster, Alberta this weekend for the Best Western Wayside Inn Curling Classic.
Featuring 28 teams the event is one of the World Curling Tour events held in Canada over the season.
At the same time women's squad members Kelly Wood, Jackie Lockhart, Eve Muirhead and Lynn Cameron will be in Ontario for the Royal Lepage OVCA Women's Fall Classic. 24 teams including one from the USA are in the running at this event. |
COACH APPOINTED FOR MEN'S EYOF TEAM06 November 2008COACH APPOINTED FOR MEN'S EYOF SQUAD
Hazel Wood from Montrose has been appointed coach for the men's team which will represent Great Britain at The European Youth Olympic Festival from 14 to 21 February 2009 in Poland.
Hazel will be working with team members Blair Fraser, Kerr Drummond, Colin Dick, Struan Wood and Jay McWillliam in the months running up to the event. |
IAN COPLAND JOINS THE MEN'S WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES TEAM04 November 2008IAN COPLAND JOINS THE MEN'S WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES TEAM
Ian Copland joins Michael Goodfellow, Andrew Craigie, John Hamilton and Thomas Pendreigh in the team that will represent Great Britain at the World University Games in Harbin, China in February next year.
The team will have their first outing at the Inverness Skins Tournament 7-9 November.
Ten countries have been invited to participate in the World University Games, countries invited for the men's event include Canada, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Korea, China and Japan.
The women's event includes many of the same countries along with the Czech Republic and Poland. |
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SQUADS IN CANADA28 October 2008MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SQUADS IN CANADA
The GB men's and women's squads are in Canada over the next couple of weeks playing in World Curling Tour events.
Starting on Thursday 30th. October the men's squad will be in Brooks, Alberta for the Cactus Pheasant Classic.
The team face some tough opposition in this one. The field of 24 teams includes 2006 Olympic Gold Medallist Brad Gushue as well as former world champions Randy Ferbey and Glen Howard.
It promises to be an exciting event. The following weekend the men's squad will be in Lloydminster, Alberta for their next challenge.
The women's team members are also in Alberta this weekend for the Red Deer Classic. The field of 32 teams includes one from Japan.
The women have their first game on Thursday 30th. October at noon Mountain Time.
The following weekend the women move on to Ottawa for their next event. |
GB SQUAD TEAM IN KINROSS FOR WHEELCHAIR CURLING INTERNATIONAL20 October 2008GB SQUAD TEAM IN KINROSS FOR WHEELCHAIR CURLING INTERNATIONAL
Michael McCreadie, Aileen Neilsen, Tom Killin and Jim Sellar, all members of the GB wheelchair curling squad, will be playing as a team at the first Kinross Wheelchair Curling International from 21st to 23rd October.
The event has entries from all over the world including two teams from Canada, as well as teams from Norway and Switzerland.
The event will be played under the new WCF rules for wheelchair curling including all games being eight ends.
The final is scheduled for 3.15p.m. on Thursday 23rd October. |
REMAX WOMEN'S MASTERS BASEL09 October 2008REMAX WOMEN'S MASTERS BASEL
The GB women's squad is in Basel this weekend for the Remax Women's Masters, a World Curling Tour Europe event.
24 women's teams from all over Europe including 2006 Olympic Champions Annette Norberg's team are in Switzerland for the triple knock out event.
Kelly Wood, Jackie Lockhart, Karen Addison, Lynn Cameron and Lorna Vevers have their first game in the morning when they take on the Netherlands team skipped by Shari Leibrandt.
The Wood team top the World Curling Tour Europe rankings and will be hoping to repeat their victory of two weeks ago when they won in Oslo. |
EYOF MEN'S SQUAD02 October 2008EYOF MEN'S SQUAD
The BOA have awarded a GB men's team at spot at the 2009 European Youth Olympic Festival.
The Royal Caledonian Curling Club in partnership with British Curling have announced the athletes in the squad, they are Blair Fraser, Kerr Drummond, Colin Dick, Struan Wood and Jay McWilliam.
They join the women's team, Hannah Fleming, Lauren Gray, Rebecca Kesley, Anna Sloan and Alice Spence in training for EYOF sheduled for 14 - 21st February 2009 in Slas Beskidy, Poland.
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SWISS CUP BASEL02 October 2008SWISS CUP BASEL
GB squad members David Murdoch, Peter Smith, Ewan McDonald and Euan Byers are in Basel, Switzerland for the World Curling Tour Europe event the Swiss Cup.
Murdoch won the Swiss Cup last year. The field this year is made up of 32 teams from all over the world. 2006 Plympic Champion Brad Gushue from Canada is there. And Hugh Milliken's team is all the way from Australia.
The event starts 10 a.m. local time on Friday 3rd October, finishing on Sunday 5th. October. |
e-computers SPONSOR SQUAD JACKETS30 September 2008 e-computers SPONSOR SQUAD JACKETS
e-computers Perth are sponsoring jackets for the members of the Great Britain curling squad.
Charles Sievewright and Justin Hay of e-computers presented the jackets to the squad members and coaches at Dewars Rinks, Perth.
It's not the first time the computer retailers have sponsored curling, they were sponsors of the GB teams for the 2006 Olympics.
Charles Sievewright did curl at one time. "We have photographs of the 2006 teams in our shop and customers always comment on them, we're looking forward to displaying the photographs of the current squad members." |
WOOD WINS IN OSLO28 September 2008 WOOD WINS IN OLSO
GB squad members Kelly Wood, Eve Muirhead, Lorna Vevers, Karen Addison and Jackie Lockhart, won the Olso Cup in Norway today beating Sweden's Annette Norberg 5/4 in a close final.
The teams were tied on a score of 4/4 going into the final end. The Wood team had last stone advantage and scored one shot to win the game.
The GB men's team Warwick Smith, David Murdoch, Peter Smith and Euan Byers made it through to the semi finals, losing out to Norway's Thomas Ulsrud who went on to win the event beating world champion Kevin Martin in the final.
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PARALYMPIC CURLERS AND SKIERS AUTUMN CAMP27 September 2008 
PARALYMPIC CURLERS AND SKIERS AUTUMN CAMP
2010 Paralympic hopefuls, the members of the wheelchair curling squad and skiers got together at Braehead Curling Rink near Glasgow for a joint weekend.
The idea is that winter sports athletes train together and get to try another sport. In the spring the wheelchair athletes had a go a ski-ing and loved it.
Now it was the turn of the skiers to have a try at wheelchair curling.
Tim Farr from London hopes to be part of the Paralympic ski team in Vancouver in 2010. "It's great having a get together with other Paralympic hopefuls. It's an opportunity to get to know everyone and find out what their sport is all about. It's good to learn about the skills required and the tactics of a different sport."
The try out on the ice wasn't confined to the athletes, Gerogina Sharples, Performance Manager in charge of orgainsing training camps, was persuaded to have a go on the ice. "The athletes trying different sports is a wider team building excercise. This was my second try out of curling, it was great fun and a good learning experience for me and the non curling athletes."
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SQUADS IN NORWAY25 September 2008SQUADS IN NORWAY
Great Britain's curling squads, men and women, are in Oslo this weekend for the Oslo and Radisson Oslo Cups.
The men's line up is Warwick Smith, David Murdoch, Peter Smith and Euan Byers while the women are fielding Kelly Wood, Eve Muirhead, Lorna Vevers and Karen Addison with Jackie Lockhart as fifth player.
The men face teams from Germany, Switzerland, France and Sweden while the women's section has teams from Russia, Sweden, Norway and Switzerland.
The World Curling Tour Europe runs through till Sunday and with both squads in Norway the curling season has started in earnest for the athletes.
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GB SQUAD MEMBERS IN ACTION IN SWITZERLAND AND DENMARK08 September 2008GB SQUAD MEMBERS IN ACTION IN SWIZTERLAND AND DENMARK
David Murdoch, Craig Wilson, Euan Byers with Graeme Connal had their first competitive weekend at the Baden Masters in Switzerland.
The team won four games to take them to the final against Thomas Ulsrud's foursome from Norway. But a first title of the season wasn't to be, Norway took the final on a scoreline of 6/3.
Despite the final result a good start to the competitive season for the Olympic hopefuls.
At the same time members of the GB paralympic squad were in Taarnby for the Danish Open Wheelchair Curling Competition, Jim Sellar reports.
The GB team, Michael McCreadie, Angie Malone, Jim Sellar, Rosemary Lenton and coach Tom Pendreigh, met at Glasgow Airport in good spirits, looking forward to the first competition of the season.
Five countries were represented, World Champions Norway, Germany, the Czech Republic, Scotland and of course home nation Denmark, some will be competing at the World qualifier in Prague in November.
The format was a round robin, Norway won the competition, Denmark took second place, the Czech Reblublic finished third.
The venue and the ice conditions were first class and congratulations to Denmark for the organisation of an excellent tournament.
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CALLING ALL WHEELCHAIR CURLING ATHLETES08 September 2008CALLING ALL WHEELCHAIR CURLING ATHLETES
British Curling (BC) is seeking a registration of interest from any athletes within the UK who wish to be considered for the Great Britain Paralympic Curling Squad for the Winter Paralympic Games, Vancouver 2010 and beyond.
A series of events have been established to identify the best athletes in the country who are eligible to compete for Great Britain at the Paralympic games. They combine target accuracy and weight control which is established by the use of a plumb line and a target, captured on video and scored accordingly, along with laser timers to assess the degree of weight control of each athlete. It should be noted that this complex system is aimed at elite level athletes and is not for beginners as a “come and try event”.
Details of each event are enclosed in the information pack (see below) and athletes are requested to indicate their preference of venue and time and consideration will be given to geography and distance when drawing up the schedule. You will be informed of your exact timings shortly after the registration process is complete.
An athlete information pack is available which covers the BC selection process, timelines and eligibility. The information packs can be obtained by contacting:
Karina Robertson
BC Admin Support
Scottish Institute of Sport
Airthrey Road
Stirling
FK9 5PH
Tel. 01786 460105
E-mail karina.robertson@sisport.com
Only athletes who are eligible for the Great Britain Team and with a genuine aspiration and realistic ability to compete in the medal zone at the Vancouver Winter Paralympic Games and beyond should return a registration of interest. To get an application form and register your interest please contact Karina Robertson.
The closing date for applications is the 20th of September 2008. |
COACHES APPOINTED FOR WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES SQUADS06 September 2008COACHES APPOINTED FOR WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES SQUADS
David Ramsay and Keith Prentice have been appointed as coaches to the men's and women's squads for the World University Games to be held in Harbin, China in February 2009.
Cate Brewster, National Coach, said "I am delighted with the appointments and look forward to working with David and Keith. Both have the experience of playing at international level, David in World Juniors', World Men's and European Championships, Keith won gold at the World Seniors' Championships in 2007." |
EOYF SQUAD29 July 2008WOMEN'S SQUAD MEMBERS FOR EUROPEAN YOUTH OLYMPIC FESTIVAL
The Royal Caledonian Curling Club in partnership with British Curling are delighted to announce the women's squad selected to represent Great Britain at the European Youth Olympics in Slas Beskidy, Poland from 14th - 21st. February 2009.
The athletes selected are Hannah Fleming, Lauren Gray, Rebecca Kesley, Anna Sloan and Alice Spence.
Debbie Knox has been slected as coach to the squad.
Chris Hildrey, Chairman of British Curling said, "The EYOF provides a fantastic opportunity for our best young curling athletes in Britain to gain invaluable experience at a multi sport event. The support and training the squad will have in advance of the competition will be world class and I hope they all get the most out of the programme whilst having an enjoyable time”
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MEN'S SQUAD MEMBERS IN RUSSIA23 July 2008MEN'S SQUAD MEMBERS IN RUSSIA
The home curling season is some weeks away yet but David Murdoch, Peter Smith, Euan Byers, members of the initial GB Olympic squad, with non squad member Graeme Connal are in Russia this weekend for a World Curling Tour Europe event.
This is the first WCT-e event staged in Russia, the venue is the Adamant Shopping Centre in St. Petersburg.
Eight teams, three from Russia and five from Canada and Europe will be playing. And it's quite a field, featuring two Olympic Gold Medallists, the 2002 Olympic Champion Pal Trulsen from Norway and the 2006 Olympic Gold Medallist Brad Gushue from Canada. 2008 World Men's Bronze Medallist Thomas Ulsrud from Norway and 2007 World Men's silver winner Germany's Andy Kapp will be skipping their teams.
The Murdoch team have their own share of medals, they're reigning European Champions and 2008 World Men's silver medallist. In Group B they meet a Russian team skipped by Valentin Demenkov in their opening game on Friday 25th July at 16.00 St Petersburg time, that's three hours ahead of BST. Kapp and Trulsen are drawn in Group B.
It's a great opportunity for the squad members to be on the ice ahead of the 2008/2009 season.
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NEW MEMBER OF THE MEN'S SQUAD FOR THE WINTER UNIVERSIADE GAMES22 July 2008NEW MEMBER FOR THE MEN'S SQUAD FOR THE WINTER UNIVERSIADE GAMES.
Michael Goodfellow from Stirling has been selected as the fourth member of the men's squad for the Winter Universiade Games to be held in Harbin, China in February 2009.
Twenty year old Michael has played in the semi finals of the Scottish Junior Championship for the last three years.
A student of history and politics at Strathclyde University, Michael joins Andrew Craigie, John Hamilton and Thomas Pendreigh in the squad. |
GREAT BRITAIN PARALYMPIC SQUAD IN TRAINING10 June 2008 GREAT BRITAIN PARALYMPIC SQUAD IN TRAINING
Tom Killin, Rosemary Lenton, Angie Malone, Michael McCreadie, Aileen Neilson and Jim Sellar, the athletes slected for the initial Paralympic Squad for 2010, met up at the Inverness Ice Centre this week for their first training session.
Though it's June and the sun was shining the athletes had some on ice training as well as off ice sessions. Over the next eleven months they face more of the same before the final suad selection is made in May 2009.
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Winter Olympic and Paralympic 2010 tickets05 June 20082010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets and full event passes for the Men's and Women's Curling Competitions in Vancouver are being made available to National Olympic Committees (NOCs) from the Vancouver Organising Committee (VANOC) www.vancouver2010.com.
For Non-Canadian residents, those wishing to purchase tickets for curling (or any other sport) will have to do so from a ticket agency in their own country who has been contracted through the NOC concerned. These will be different for each country, and information on how to place orders should be sought from respective NOCs eg the agency for US citizens has been announced as Jet Set Sports. Although sales will not commence until 8 October 2008, early contact to register interest in purchasing is recommended.
Canadian residents will be able to purchase directly from VANOC from 1 October 2008.
Paralympic Winter Games
Ticket package information should be obtained from the VANOC website www.vancouver2010.com
For information and tickets in Great Britain contact Sportsworld Travel, Windrush Court, Blacklands Way, Abingdon, OX14 1SY, telephone 01235 554844
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Winter Olympics and Paralympics First Squad Selection Vancouver 2010
01 May 2008 BRITISH CURLING ANNOUNCES SQUADS FOR THE 2010 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES AND PARALYMPIC GAMES Eighteen athletes have been named in the first Great Britian squad selection for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Six men,  six women and six wheelchair athletes have been selected for the squads, they will face a year of intensive training both on and off the ice over the next year before the final team selection is made. The men’s squad, Euan Byers, Ewan MacDonald, David Murdoch, Peter Smith, Warwick Smith and Craig Wilson, all have a lot of international experience at European and World level.
Euan Byers, Ewan MacDonald, David Murdoch, Warwick Smith and Craig Wilson got fourth place at the Winter Olympics in 2006 while Peter Smith played in 1988 when curling was an exhibition sport at the Winter Olympics. More recently David Murdoch, Peter Smith and Euan Byers won gold at the European Curling Championships in December and less than a month ago the silver medal at the World Men’s Curling Championship in Grand Forks, North America.
Karen Addison, Lynn Cameron, Jackie Lockhart, Eve Muirhead, Lorna Vevers and Kelly Wood make up the women’s squad, they too have their share of European and World Championship medals. Jackie Lockhart is the most experienced at international level, she’s played in two Olympic Games, she won a World gold medal in 2002 and got bronze at the 2007 World Championships and silver at the Europeans in December. Karen Addison has two World Junior gold medals, a World bronze from 2007 and got European silver in the same year. Lynn Cameron and Kelly Wood played in the 2006 Winter Olympics, Kelly skipped the bronze medal team at the 2007 World Championships and silver team at the Europeans in December 2007. Lorna Vevers played at second in both medal winning teams. Eve Muirhead, the youngest member of the squad has two World Junior Curling Championship gold medals to her name.
Tom Killin, Rosemary Lenton, Angie Malone, Michael McCreadie, Aileen Neilsen and Jim Sellar have been selected for the GB Paralympic Squad. Tom Killin, Angie Malone and Michael McCreadie were all in the team which won silver at the 2006 Paralympic Games. All have experience of the World Wheelchair Curling Championships and have a haul of gold medals between them.
Derek Brown, High Performance Curling Coach said, “I am delighted to announce three squads of extremely talented athletes who will give us an outstanding chance of winning medals in Vancouver in 2010.”
Emyr Roberts, Performance Programme Consultant at UK Sport said “ All three squads include athletes who have already achieved medal success at curling world championships during this current Olympic /Paralympic cycle and it is a positive step taken by British Curling to identify and confirm these athletes at this early stage as the most likely players to be representing Great Britain in Vancouver in 2010”
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EUROPEAN YOUTH OLYMPIC FESTIVAL05 February 2009EUROPEAN YOUTH OLYMPIC FESTIVAL, 14 - 21 FEBRUARY 2009
Five Scottish women curlers, Hannah Fleming, Lauren Gray, Rebecca Kesley, Anna Sloan and Alice Spence, take off on 12th. February for Poland and the 9th. Winter European Youth Olympic Festival.
This will be the first time the women have been international represntatives, they face an intensive week of curling in Bielsko-Biala in southern Poland to make it to the playoff stages.
Lockerbie is home for Hannah Fleming, she’s been curling for nine years playing in many events in Scotland including the Scottish Schools in 2006. In November 2008 Hannah skipped her team to victory at the Inverness Junior International. Hannah says “I’m looking forward to respresenting Great Britain and gaining experience of international curling.”
Alice Spence is another Lockerbie trained curler, she’s been curling for eight years and in that time has played in many events both in Scotland and abroad. When she’s not curling her hobby is horse riding. “I’m excited about going to the European Youth Olympics, it will be a great expereince and I’m looking forward to meeting the curlers from all over Europe.”
Anna Sloan, also from Lockerbie, has been curling for eight years, she’s a regular at many events in Scotland and in 2007 represented Scotland at the European Mixed Curling Championships. Anna’s ambition for EYOF “To win a gold medal and gain international experience.”
Rebecca Kesley, from Edinburgh, has been curling for nine years, she’s played the Schools Championship and the Scottish Mixed. Like Alice she goes riding in her time off from curling. “The European Youth Olympics will be a great way to gain experience. My ambition is to be selected for Great Britain for the 2014 Olympics.”
Lauren Gray from Balfron has been curling for eight years and has played in a number of competitons in Scotland including the final of the Scottish Junior Curling Championship last year. She comes from a family of curlers, her brother has been Scottish Junior Champion. Lauren hopes to have some time off curling in Poland, “A lot of different sports are represented at the European Youth Olympic Festival, I hope to see some of them.”
The men’s team Kerr Drummond, Blair Fraser, Colin Dick, Struan Wood and Jay McWilliam are all Scots too.
17 year old Kerr Drummond hails from Forfar and has been curling for nne years, he’s played at Scottish Junior Championships and an International Junior Invitation in Inverness taking second spot in both cases.
“I honestly can’t wait, it is such an achievement being selected for Great Britain. I know some of the players from other countries it will be good to play against them again.”
Blair Fraser from Inverness is 17 and been curling for four years, his experience to date includes the Under 17 Grand Slam and the 2008 Scottish Junior Championships.
“I’m pretty excited about going to Poland, it will be a good experience and is an huge event.” Blair won’t be short of support in Poland his parents will be there lending their support.
Edinburgh’s Colin Dick has been curling for 11 of his 18 years. “It was my mum and dad’s influence and I really enjoyed playing.” He’s played in six Scottish Junior finals winning two of them, he’s won the Scottish Schools Championship twice and back to back Under 17 Grand Slams so there’s no shortage of competitive experience. “At the moment I’m excited to be going to the European Youth Olympic Festival. I am confident the team will do well. Recently we had a good weekend in Hamburg where we bonded well as a team.”
Edinburgh is home for Struan Wood though he attends university in Aberdeen. At 18 he’s been curling for close on 10 years taking in winning the Scottish Schools Championship and the Under 17 Grand Slam. “I am really looking forward to the event and I hope we will be able to make everyone back home proud. We have met some of the teams before, Denmark will be a challenge but we should get the win if we play well.”
18 year old Jay McWilliam comes from Stranraer, he’s been curling for nine years, in 2006 he won the Scottish Men’s Pairs. “I’ve been in a lot of quarter and semi finals, this time I want to win. I am looking forward to representing Great britain and brining back a medal, hopefully gold.”
The teams will have plenty of support in Poland, most of the families will be in the arena to cheer them on.
Curling was one of the disciplines in the 2005 European Youth Olympic Festival, Great Briatin men won gold, the women bronze.
Official website is www.slask-beskidy.pl
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WINTER UNIVERSIADE SQUAD UPDATE03 June 2008WINTER UNIVERSIADE SQUAD UPDATE
WORLD UNIVERSIADE GAMES UPDATE
Glen Muirhead, one of the four athletes selected for the World Universiade Games 2009, has withdrawn from the squad.
He is already heavily committed to competitive curling with his own team and as a member of the Junior Squad.
Scotland will be sending a team to Denmark in January for the European Junior Challenge, two countries from Europe will qualify for the 2009 World Junior Championships via the Challenge. Glen will be skipping the team in Denmark.
Glen feels he already has a heavy time commitment to curling and needs to have some time available for his university studies so has made the decision to leave the WUG squad.
High Performance Curling Coach Cate Brewster is now looking for two more athletes to complete a squad of five. Candidates will be selected on recent statistics and results.
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SQUADS ANNOUNCED FOR THE WINTER UNIVERSIADE GAMES 200926 May 2008GREAT BRITAIN SQUADS FOR THE WINTER UNIVERSIADE GAMES 2009
Four men and five women who hope to represent Great Britian at the Winter Universiade Games in Harbin, China in February 2009 have been selected for the squads.
To be eligible athletes must be students and under the age of 28.
Andrew Craigie, John Hamilton, Glen Muirhead and Thomas Pendreigh make up the men's squad, a fifth athlete may be selected later. Andrew and John were in the silver medal winning team at the 2007 Winter Universiade Games.
Kay and Vicki Adams, Laura Kirkpatrick, Sarah Macintyre and Sarah Reid form the women's squad. The two Sarahs won gold for Scotland at the World Junior Curling Championships in 2007, Kay and Vicki Adams and Sarah Macintyre got gold at the 2008 World Junior Championships.
National coach Cate Brewster said "I'm looking forward to working with all the squad athletes in the run up to the Games, it will be an exciting time for everyone."
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WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES
18 April 2008ATHLETE REGISTRATION OF INTEREST FOR WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES
British Curling (BC) is seeking a registration of interest from athletes who wish to be considered for the World University Games, representing Great Britain in Harbin, China, February 2009. An athlete information pack is available which covers the BC selection process, timelines and BUCS eligibility for Harbin, 2009. The information packs can be obtained by contacting:
Paula Jarvis, BC Admin Sport, Scottiish Institute of Sport, Airthrey Road, Stirling, FK9 5PH
Telephone 01786 460105, email paula.jarvie@sisport.com
Only athletes who are eligible for the Great Britain Team and with a genuine aspiration and realistic ability to compete in the medal zone at the World University Games 2009 should return a registration of interest.
The closing date for applications is 30th. April 2008.
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WINTER UNIVERSIADE GAMES29 March 2008COACH APPOINTED FOR WINTER UNIVERSIADE GAMES 2009
Cate Brewster has been appointed national coach for the Great Britain team for the 2009 Winter Universiade Games in Harbin, China.
John Hamilton, Andrew Craigie, Ian Chalmers, Graeme Copland and Ross Paterson got the silver medals in the 2007 games in Pinerolo, Italy. Cate wants to build on that success.
To be eligible players must be students and under the age of 28, they will not be able to play either Scottish Juniors or the Gold League. Cate is sure there is a pool of eligible players in Scotland.
She's planning an off ice training camp this summer and an on ice camp at the start of the 2008/2009 season, then she'd like to find an international tournament to give the player match practice.
It's less than a year to the games, there will be a lot of hard work to be done in the coming months. The Canadian team has already been selected.
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WHEELCHAIR RANKING EVENT 21 MARCH 200815 March 2008WHEELCHAIR RANKING EVENT 21 MARCH 2008
The 4th GB Ranking event for Britain’s wheelchair curlers is scheduled for March 21 at CurlAberdeen.
Five ranking events throughout the season are used to assist the selectors find the top individuals who will formulate the team to represent GB at the Paralymipic Games in Vancouver 2010.
Registration of interest from players closed in Novemeber and over 20 players have been registered from England, Wales and Scotland
The players will have to demonstrate their skills at playing different types of shots, from draw to takeouts, using both in turn and out turn shots across the sheet, it’s expected the number of shots will be around 20.
The shots will be filmed and electronically measured to determine the score for each player.
Registered players must play in at least three of the ranking events to be eligible for selection, their cumulative scores forming the ranking and ultimately be used as part of the selection process..
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British Curling Sponsors Statistics at The Scottish Championships19 February 2008 BRITISH CURLING SPONSORS STATISTICS
For the first time teams and supporters at the Bruadar Scottish Men's Curling Championship and the Columba Cream Ladies' Gold League at the Dewar's Centre in Perth, 18 - 24 February, will be able to check out just how well the teams are playing thanks to game statistics driven by CurlingZone.
CurlingZone, a Canadian organisation, is well known in the curling world, they do statistics for the World Curling Tour and Grand Slam events in Canada. They covered the World Men's Curling Championships in 2006 in Lowell, USA, and both men's and women's Championships in Canada and Japan in 2007.
Gerry Guerts of CurlingZone is in Perth masterminding the operation which is being sponsored by British Curling.
Gerry is a computer scientist and a competitive curler who got interested in the the statistics of the game a few years ago, five years ago he got together with Dallas Bittle to set up CurlingZone. Both are big baseball fans and loved the statistics for baseball produced by Bill James.
Says Gerry "The players see the importance of the statistics and the fans like it. Following the numbers they can see the story of the game, the shot called and if it worked or not."
A good example was a first round game in the Scottish Men's Championship, "One team scored three in the first end and went to a defensive game, the opposition had to play an aggressive game to catch up, the statistics show one team hitting, one team putting on guards and drawing."
"Looking at the statistics teams know when they're doing it right. The most imprtant numbers to a team wanting to improve their game are the ones that come up when they have last stone advantage. Can they score multiple shots, can they ensure the opposition don't steal shots?"
British Curling is sponsoring the programme for the Scottish Curling Championships, Chairman Chris Hildrey said "The statistcs help both players and coaches to see how a team is working. In the run up to the Olympics in 2010 that could be a help for both athletes and coaches." |
BC Performance Team05 February 2008British Curling in conjunction with UK Sport, sportscotland, the Scottish Institute of Sport, the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, the English Curling Association and the Welsh Curling Association, announces the appointment of the Performance Team for the Vancouver Olympic Games 2010. David Hay is appointed as Olympic Coach for men, Nancy Murdoch will be Olympic Coach for women and Gary Anderson has been appointed as High Performance Advisor for the Olympic Programme. They will work along side Derek Brown, British Curling’s Performance Director, in the run up to the Vancouver Games.
David Hay is a former World and European Champion, winning the Scottish Curling Championships on eight occasions spanning 20 years. David’s most recent success was as coach to David Murdoch’s European Champions team in December 2007.
Nancy Murdoch, a former Scottish Champion, has been the Royal Caledonian Curling Club’s Performance Development Coach for nearly four years. Nancy’s successes as a coach include a World Junior Ladies’ Gold medal in 2007, European Youth Olympics’ Gold medal in 2005, and a World University Games’ Silver Medal in 2007.
They will take up their positions in March.
Gary Anderson is currently a Performance Director with Elite-Performance which offers performance coaching, testing and training camps for athletes of all abilities. He has an extensive background in world class sport including athletics and professional football. Gary was Performance Manager for judo at the 2004 Olympic Games and was Programme Advisor to the Great Britain Olympic Curling Teams in 2005-6.
Gary is already working with Derek Brown and Hew Chalmers on British Curling’s Olympic and Paralympic preparation plans.
They join Derek Brown, British Curling and Scottish Institute of Sport Performance Director, Tom Pendreigh, Team Coach for Paralympics, Hew Chalmers, British Curling Team Co-ordinator, completing the Performance Team.
Chris Hildrey, Chairman of British Curling said, “British Curling is delighted to have engaged a Performance Team of such high calibre. Achieving medal success in the Olympics and Paralympics is a huge challenge but these highly experienced personnel provide a world class foundation from which our athlete focussed performance programme can be implemented”
Derek Brown, Performance Director said “I’m looking forward to working with David Hay and Nancy Murdoch. Both have vast experience of top level curling and have been involved in playing and coaching the sport for a number of years.”
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WORLD WHEELCHAIR CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
SURSEE, SWITZERLAND 2-9 FEBRUARY200801 February 2008British Curling athletes, Michael McCreadie, Aileen Neilson, Tom Killin, Jim Sellar and Rosemary Lenton are representing Scotland the World Wheelchair Curling Championship in Sursee, Switzerland.
Ten countries will battle it out over the week from 2nd to 9th February to win the gold medal.
Norway’s Rune Lorentsen will be there defending the title won in 2007. The Pacific region is in Switzerland with teams from Korea and Japan, Canada and USA are represented along with six teams from Europe including Switzerland and Sweden.
Scotland has a good record at World Wheelchair Championships, with two gold medals in the trophy cabinet, skip Michael McCreadie played in both gold winning teams, he also won a Paralympic silver medal in Turin 2006.
Other members of the team have represented Scotland before and have a good track record.
Scotland play their opening game on Saturday evening against the home country Switzerland.
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Hew Chalmers appointed as British Curling Coordinator20 December 2007British Curling announced today the appointment of Hew Chalmers as British Curling Vancouver 2010 coordinator. The role will involve the support management and logistics organisation of the curling squad, staff, and service providers in their preparation for both the Olympics and Paralympics in Vancouver 2010.
Hew Chalmers, currently the Director of British Curling, was GB Olympic Team Manager in 2002 and Team Coordinator in 2006. Hew will take up the post with immediate effect.
Scottish Institute of Sport head curling coach and British Curling performance director, Derek Brown commented on the new appointment.
“We are delighted to have someone of Hew’s experience on board; he will bring a wealth of knowledge to the programme, ensuring that both the athletes and coaches are given the best possible opportunity to perform their roles effectively and to their full potential.”
Chairman of British Curling, Chris Hildrey added, “Hews appointment helps us to continue to form a world class team of staff and service providers working towards Vancouver 2010. British Curling’s target of medalling at both the Olympics and Paralympics in Vancouver is ambitious and Hews experience and skills, coupled with his attention to detail, will assist greatly in providing logistic support to the teams.” |
BRITISH CURLING ATHLETE OF THE YEAR29 November 2007Kelly Wood has been named as Athlete of the Year by British Curling, the body responsible for the Great Britain team for the Olympics.
Kelly, who skipped the bronze medal team at the World Women’s Curling Championship in Japan earlier this year, started curling at the age of nine.
Curling is very much a family game for the Woods, when Kelly and sister Linsday threw their first stones their mother, father, brother, Gary and sister Lorraine all played the game.
Now 26 Kelly is one of Scotland’s most experienced international curlers, she has represented Scotland at three World Junior Curling Championships, four World Women’s Curling Championships, three European Curling Championships and was a member of the Great Britain team at the Olympics in 2006.
Her best result so far is this year’s bronze medal and that has fired her ambition to win more medals.
“I want to medal at the Olympics in Vancouver in 2010. This year is the first time I have got a medal at an international championship, it was exciting but at the same time disappointing it was bronze.
Winning a medal makes you think you can do better and I now know what it takes to win medals. Being on the medal podium gives you a different perspective.”
Kelly will get her first chance to win another medal at the Le Gruyere European Curling Championships in Fussen, Germany, 1st to 8th December 2007.
Then she heads off to Medicine Hat, Alberta for the Continental Cup, the Ryder Cup of curling, from the 13th to 16th December the top European players will take on the top players from Canada and the USA in a series of curling disciplines.
Hew Chalmers, a director of British Curling, commented, “ I have watched Kelly Wood’s progress with great interest since I first saw her playing in the World Junior Curling Championships in Ogden, USA in 2001. Her performances last season show she is now a world class athlete, Kelly has the abiltiy to realise her Olympic dream.”
The Athlete of the Year award is encouraged by the British Olympic Association, all governing bodies of Olympic sports have the opportunity to nominate an athlete from their discipline.
The nomination for British Curling is decided by a panel based on the results and statistics from World and European Championships in season 2006/07.
The nominated atthletes from each discipline are invited to the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award ceremony. Unluckily for Kelly she won’t be able to go, she’ll be in Germany aiming at the European Championship title. |
OLYMPIC HEAD COACH POSITIONS ADVERTISED 15 November 2007British Curling, in conjunction with UKSport, sportscotland and the Scottish Institute of Sport are currently seeking to appoint 2 Olympic Curling Head Coaches. You must have extensive high performance curling coaching experience and a record of world class success. You must be able to demonstrate an outstanding and exceptional understanding of world class curling and the requirements for international success in Curling. The ability to prepare and lead an Olympic Standard programme of preparation and competition is essential to these roles.
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British Curling Olympic Team Curling Coaches (Men & Women)
Scottish Institute of Sport
Salary Commensurate with Experience
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You will:
· Coach, direct and lead the delivery of the World Class Plan for Curling to the Olympic Squads and Teams.
· Lead on a programme of integrated support for the British Curling athletes at Podium level.
· Deliver high quality coaching within the Olympic Curling programme and, where appropriate, work with the personal team coaches and Home Nation Governing Body head coaches.
· Develop training & competition programmes for the continuous development of British Curling Programme athletes.
You should have:
· An ability to work with others, to motivate, provide direction and influence.
· An ability to demonstrate confidence, empathy, enthusiasm and initiative.
· An innovative approach through a demonstrated ability to “think out of the box” and suggest creative solutions which will lead to successful implementation.
· Effective high level ITC skills and a commitment to exploring the best use of these for effective implementation of the role and programmes.
Applications should include a CV and covering letter (3 copies of each), names and addresses of 3 referees, and should be sent to Karina Buchanan at the address below.
Closing date for applications: Monday 17 December 2007
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To request an information pack, contact:
Karina Buchanan
Tel: +44 (0)1786 460115
email: karina.buchanan@sisport.com
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Scottish Institute of Sport, Airthrey Road, Stirling, Scotland, FK9 5PH.
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Great Britain Paralympic Curling Squad registrations of interest extended.26 October 2007Due to the postal strike and general communication interuptions the closing date for applications has now been extended to the 15th of November 2007. |
British Curling Seeks registration of interest from para athletes16 October 2007 British Curling (BC) are seeking a registration of interest from athletes who wish to be considered for the Great Britain Paralympic Curling Squad for the Winter Paralympic Games, Vancouver 2010.
An athlete information pack is available which covers the BC selection process, timelines and eligibility for Vancouver 2010. The information packs can be obtained by contacting:
Marc Scott
BC Admin Support
Scottish Institute of Sport
Airthrey Road
Stirling
FK9 5PH
Tel. 01786 460105
E-mail marc.scott@sisport.com
Only athletes who are eligible for the Great Britain Team and with a genuine aspiration and realistic ability to compete in the medal zone at the Vancouver Winter Paralympic Games 2010 should return a registration of interest.
The closing date for applications is the 20th of October 2007. |
Vancouver 2010 Selection Process Commences17 September 2007The selection process for the Great Britain Olympic Curling Teams for Vancouver 2010 will commence with a 'registration of interest' from athletes who wish to be considered for selection
Athlete Registration of Interest
British Curling (BC) are seeking a registration of interest from athletes who wish to be considered for the Great Britain Olympic Curling Squads for the Winter Olympic Games, Vancouver 2010. An athlete information pack is available which covers the BC selection process, timelines and eligibility for Vancouver 2010. The information packs can be obtained by contacting:
Marc Scott
BC Admin Support
Scottish Institute of Sport
Airthrey Road
Stirling
FK9 5PH
Tel. 01786 460105
E-mail marc.scott@sisport.com
Only athletes who are eligible for the Great Britain Team and with a genuine aspiration and realistic ability to compete in the medal zone at the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games 2010 should return a registration of interest.
The closing date for applications is the 30th of September 2007.
Posted by: Derek Brown, Performance Director British Curling |
BRITISH CURLING ANNOUNCE PENDREIGH AS GB WHEELCHAIR CURLING COACH16 August 2007British Curling, in partnership with the Scottish Institute of Sport and the Royal Caledonian Curling Club (RCCC), announced today (16 August) the appointment of Tom Pendreigh as British Curling wheelchair head curling coach and GB paralympic coach. The position was created as a fundamental part of the Integrated Performance Plan for wheelchair curling in Great Britain and Scotland and is a first for international curling.
The main purpose of the post will be to direct and lead the delivery of the world class plans for wheelchair curling as agreed by British Curling, the Institute the RCCC and UKSport.
Pendreigh, who was born in Hawick and now lives in Inverness, is well known for his work with the Paralympic squad. He has an impressive track record, coaching the squad which won a silver medal at the 2006 Paralympic Games in Turin and also through his coaching role with Team Murdoch, which captured gold at the world championships in the same year.
Performance director of the British Paralympic Association, Penny Briscoe, commented, "The BPA welcomes this announcement more than two and a half years out from the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games and with Paralympic qualifiers ahead in 2008 and 2009; Scotland and GB have a fantastic opportunity to prepare with full support programmes in place. Tom has already proven that he has the credentials to deliver medals at the highest level of competition. This appointment will hopefully allow him to build on previous success and take the sport through to a success campaign in 2010."
Tom will work closely with British Curling performance director, Derek Brown, who is currently working to ensure maximum success for Team GB in the build up to the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Vancouver.
Brown commented on the new appointment "This is the first time a full time wheelchair curling coach has been appointed at the international performance level and we are delighted to have Tom on board. He has an excellent coaching record and will bring a great deal of experience to the programme."
After a highly successful 2006/7 season during which curling was the only winter sport to achieve all UK Sport targets, British Curling is looking forward to the next three years with confidence.
Chairman of British Curling, Chris Hildrey, added ""British Curling is excited to have a coach with the world class experience that Tom has, supporting our athletes and wheelchair curling programme. Paralympic medal success in Vancouver 2010 will depend on the highest quality coaching and we have no doubts that Tom provides some of the highest calibre of wheelchair curling coaching available not just in this country, but in the world." |
British Curling's Performance Plan Launched27 July 2007Today (Friday 27 July) sees the launch of British Curling's Performance Plan for the Winter Olympics in 2010. The Plan aims to ensure maximum success for Team GB in Vancouver.
The Plan has been agreed with all of British Curling's partner organisations and members and it outlines performance targets, the staffing structure and selection process, as well as the key elements of the programme's content and delivery. In addition, the athletes have fully participated in the review process, to ensure the most appropriate content and delivery of the performance programme for the Olympic squads.
After a highly successful 2006/7 season during which curling was the only winter sport to achieve all UK Sport targets, British Curling is looking forward to the next three years with confidence.
Chairman of British Curling, Chris Hildrey, commented, "This performance plan will be delivered with the integrated support of all the partners. The ultimate target of medal success in 2010 is something we all partners look forward to working on together."
Derek Brown as Scottish Institute of Sport head curling coach and British Curling performance director, whose role is to deliver the world class plans for curling in the build up to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, as well as the European Youth Olympics in 2009, commented, "The performance plan reflects the collective thinking of our partners and importantly, the athletes as well. What we have now is a plan that will result in improved quality of coaching and support services through working with smaller, targeted groups of athletes for longer lead in times."
The selection process will continue to be based on individual performance, although following feedback from key stakeholders, there will be some important developments from the Turin 2006 process. To ensure maximum support for the curlers, there will be three full-time coaches in place, men's, women's and wheelchair. In addition the squads will be smaller, a maximum of eight athletes in each, to ensure athletes receive the best possible coaching. Squads will be selected in May 2008, seven months earlier than the Turin cycle, and the squad will then be reduced to five in May 2009, allowing the squads more time to compete as a team in the build up to the Games. Finally, only athletes with a recent international track record will be considered for selection |
07 September 2010 ~ View Current News
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