RCCC Adult Camp

I hear great things about the first Royal Caledonian Curling Club adult camp weekend at Kinross. Sixteen curlers took part last Friday to Sunday. The camp was organised by RCCC Development Manager Judith McFarlane, with Ena Stevenson and Sheila Swan.

The ‘Curly Wurly’ team of Avril Glencross, Andy Taylor, Peter Malcolm and Lesley Low were the stars of the weekend!

Judith says, "Thank you to all the staff at the Green Hotel, the Windlestrae and the curling rink for providing great facilities and contributing to the success of the weekend."

The photo is courtesy of Judith McFarlane (that's her on the right) with Sandy Morgan, Les Morgan, Allan MacLennan, Robert Stewart, Keith Anderson, Avril Glencross, Andy Taylor, Jacqui Taylor, Ronnie McDonald, Ian McDonald, Peter Malcolm, Mike Watt, Paul Lyden, Pat Lyden, Marion Malcolm and Leslie Low. Ena is also in the pic, on the left.

Summer camp

The Royal Caledonian Curling Club summer camp, the first of two this year, is underway this week using ice at the Galleon Centre, Kilmarnock, and the facilities of the Dolphin House outdoor education centre at Culzean Castle. Judith McFarlane, the RCCC Development Manager, is the organiser.

Twenty-seven youngsters, aged 13-16, were already enjoying themselves, and learning more about our sport, when I saw them on Monday. After the morning at the rink, coasteering, exploring the caves at Culzean, archery and mountain biking, all with the Dolphin House instructors, were on offer in the afternoon. Here are a few photos to capture the flavour of the day!

Top: the campers.

Serious time on the ice - Fraser Davidson and Kyle Waddell!

Rachel Hannen.

Judith with her group at the Galleon.

Fun things to do on the ice!

Craig Waddell demonstrates his archery skills.

Off underground!

The coaches: L-R Albert Middler, Judith McFarlane, Marion Murdoch, Laura Morris.
Photos by Bob.

Judith McFarlane to be the Royal Club's Manager of Development

Judith McFarlane, currently the Braehead Curling Officer, is to become the Royal Caledonian Curling Club's Manager of Development. Judith will take over from Gordie Kennedy who leaves the post in July. The RCCC's announcement of the appointment is here.

As Development Manager, Judith will be responsible for managing current plans and implementing new initiatives for developing the sport in Scotland. The post is funded by sportscotland. She heads up a team of development officers based in rinks throughout the country. One of these posts at Aberdeen, currently unfilled, has just been re-advertised here.

Judith has been in her post at Braehead for two years. She will be missed there. One of her main responsibilities was in corporate curling, which she has expanded significantly. Coincidentally, her predecessor at the Braehead rink, Lynne Robertson, also moved on to Cairnie House where she is currently the National Coaching Officer.

Recently I heard Judith speak eloquently about her development work at Braehead. She is young, and she is enthusiastic. She knows the sport well, was Scottish Junior Champion at third in 2004, and competed in the Gold League last season. She has been instrumental in setting up the organisation for the Glynhill Ladies International next January, and she will continue to be involved with that. She is also the local organiser of the big Curlathon in September. (Have you entered yet?)

She featured in this blog just last week when she got involved in the Renfrewshire Special Games. She will be in charge of the RCCC's summer camp in August. Indeed, she will attend the World Curling Federation's international junior camp in Fussen next week with our Under-17 Slam winning teams. She's someone who likes to get involved - that's her on the left, hands free on the zip line at the National Junior Squad training weekend last summer!

Our best wishes go to Judith for the challenges her new job will bring.