It was a big day for curling in Lockerbie as Sports Minister Stewart Maxwell and
sportscotland Chief Executive Stewart Harris were in town to officially open the upgraded Lockerbie Ice Rink, which received
sportscotland funding. Also announced officially today was the
sportscotland annual investment in the governing body for curling, the Royal Caledonian Curling Club.
As previously reported (see
here and
here), Lockerbie Ice Rink received a
sportscotland investment of £214,151 to enhance their facilities including the upgrade to the refrigeration plant and changing rooms, improving the insulation and installing energy efficient light and a lift for wheelchair users.
I liked the header for today's press release, 'Leaving no stone unturned -
sportscotland supports curling development!' £385,000 has been granted for the development of the sport across the country. This investment will play an important part in enabling the Royal Club to grow and develop the sport at every level. To quote from the press release, "A drive to increase participation at grassroots level is complemented by a strong coach development programme to ensure that curlers are given every opportunity to progress, becoming the stars of the future who will carry on Scotland’s proud curling tradition."
This is the money that goes towards ACDO salary contributions, all the aspects of the Royal Club's development and coaching programmes, and the National and Regional Academy initiatives. In addition, the Scottish Institute of Sport, the high performance arm of
sportscotland, receives an additional £200,000 to support the national coaches and the elite teams.
The full text of today's press release can be found
here.
Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of
sportscotland said, “Curling is one of Scotland’s most successful sports with thirty-five medals on the world stage over the last ten years but investment in the sport is essential if we are to continue that excellent track record. The
sportscotland funding of £385,000 to the RCCC will allow them to build on this success and nurture the champions of the future."
In 2007-08
sportscotland invested over £11.5 million in forty-one sports governing bodies.
Stewart Maxwell addresses a large number of guests at the rink.
After a short lesson from David Murdoch and Euan Byers, the Sports Minister lines up for his first ever curling delivery, with young curlers Thomas Sloan, Alice Spence, Hannah Fleming and Lisa Jardine in attendance. Needless to say, his stone finished in the four foot!
Mind you, it could not have been easy with all these lenses pointed at him. Our Sports Minister is definitely a good sport!Pics by Bob.
Here they are! European Champs Scotland L-R David Murdoch, Ewan MacDonald, Peter Smith, Euan Byers, David Hay (coach), Graeme Connal (alternate). Photo by Hugh Stewart.
And Mirjam Ott's Switzerland with their gold medals in the women's event. Pic by Hugh Stewart.
This is the Finnish team which won the B Division and then earned their place in the World Championship at the expense of Sweden in a best of three series. Pic by Hugh Stewart.
Norway topped the women's B division and defeated England in the best of three to ensure that Norway would be in the lineup for the World Women's Championship in Korea later this season. Pic by Hugh Stewart.
Well done to the English women in defending their place in the A League for next season's Euros in Aberdeen. They lost at an extra end of the third game of their world challenge series against Norway, or they would have been going to Korea. L-R: Kirsty Balfour (skip), Caroline Reed (third), Claire Grimwood (second), Sarah McVey (lead) and Suzie Law (alternate) with Alistair Burns (coach) and Stephen Watt (coaching assistant). Pic by Hugh Stewart.
No, it's not a Woolies sale! It's everyone crowding in to the office at Lockerbie Ice Rink for the extra end of the men's final where it's showing on the desktop PC, thanks to the Eurosport player. Photo by Bob.
David Murdoch being interviewed by Christine Stewart after the game. Professional as ever.. David I mean!! Pic by Bob.
THAT'S MY BOY! Marion Murdoch (centre) watching David being interviewed. That's the Ed in the pic too, with RCCC coach Brad Askew, Hannah Fleming and Blair Fraser. Alistair Stevenson took the pic!
