Wheelchair Curling Squad

Over the years, I've built up something of an archive of curling photographs. This comes in quite handy when I'm looking for a pic to accompany a post. Such was the case yesterday when I heard the news that Michael McCreadie had decided to wheel away from the World Class Performance Squad. The Wheelchair Curling Blog has the story here.

Michael's record in the sport is impressive. He has four medals from World Championships, two golds and two bronzes, and a Paralympic silver from 2006. He took a year away from top competition last season, but was back in the Performance Squad this year. But he says, "Since the summer, although playing reasonably well and achieving some good results in international competitions, my heart wasn't in it any more. The enjoyment had gone. It was not an easy decision to make, I had to do what was best for me and ultimately the squad." He adds, "I wish the coach and the squad every success in the future."

Tony Zummack, the national coach, is sure that Michael still has a lot to give to wheelchair curling. I hope so. And not just to wheelchair curling! The photo above shows the measure of the guy. He was one of the first to volunteer to represent Scotland at the Four Nations last season, when our governing body was unable to raise a team and planned to withdraw. He travelled at his own expense to Fenton's Rink in Kent to compete with the ABs and was in the winning side in the Tom Ballantyne Trophy. You can see him accepting the trophy in this post. I note he is to skip one of the men's teams in this season's Four Nations at Greenacres, January 21-22.

Michael, I know all about 'running out of steam' after being involved with something so intensely for years. Suddenly the enjoyment just goes, and you know then it's time to change. Best wishes to you for the future. I look forward to seeing you around the rinks!

So, where does that leave the World Class Performance Squad? The selection of five curlers from the seven remaining in the squad for the World Wheelchair Curling Championships is due to take place on January 5, although the panel's decision will not be made public until later in the month. The procedures are all laid out in the document entitled 'Selection Process for the Scottish Wheelchair Curling Team for the World Wheelchair Curling Championship' which can be downloaded from this page. The championship will be held in the Uiam Ice Rink, Chuncheon City, Gangwon Province, South Korea, February 18-25, 2012.

Top photo, from the Four Nations at Fentons 2011, is © Skip Cottage

Climbing mountains

It made me smile the other day when I noticed that a group of enthusiasts had curled on a frozen lochen high up on Mt Olympus in New Zealand, as part of the Real New Zealand festival. The story, with photo, is here. Is 1800 metres a record? Not, according to this post on the Curling History blog from August 2008. But I'm sure all involved had great fun.

And talking of mountains (tenuous link), you will remember I recorded the efforts of wheelchair curlers Aileen Neilson and Michael McCreadie who pushed a marathon distance to raise money for charity on August 14, see here.

Well they have been in touch to say HUGE THANKS to all who contributed in any way towards their efforts. They say, "We have been overwhelmed by the kindness, support and generosity we received and delighted to say that we have raised £1200 for Leukaekmia and Lymphoma Research and £1810 for The Beatson Cancer Care Centre."

Well done to both. The photo below, courtesy of Aileen (by an anonymous photographer), is of the pair crossing the finishing line in a shower of champagne! Brilliant pic!

And finally to Canada where I note that the David Murdoch team narrowly lost their first game in The Shoot-Out in Edmonton, Alberta. The linescores can be found here if you want to follow the team's fortunes over the weekend.

Pushing for charity

So what took me to South Lanarkshire yesterday? Certainly, something was happening along this little road near Strathaven. Why the pink balloons?

Something of a party too at East Brackenridge Cottage.

Here's a clue. Just who is that in this cartoon attached to a tree?

Well kent wheelchair curlers Aileen Neilson and Michael McCreadie were pushing a MARATHON distance in aid of charity. Their route was a series of loops from East Brackenridge where family and friends were on hand to support their efforts, take part in fundraising games, walk some of the route, and enjoy splendid hospitality throughout the day!

That's Aileen in the centre, with Michael, and accompanied on this leg by Gill Keith.

The two charities to benefit from Aileen and Michael's efforts are Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and the Beatson Cancer Centre. You can still contribute. It's easy to donate to Leukaemia reseach via this page: www.justgiving.com/aileenstill39, and to donate to the Beatson Cancer Centre here: www.justgiving.com/aileennearly40.

And if you are wondering about the strange names for Aileen's Just Giving pages, she has a big birthday... TODAY.

So many happy returns, Aileen, and I'm sure all blogallies reading this today with join with me in singing the usual greeting. Altogether now:

Hippo Birdy Two Ewes
Hippo Birdy Two Ewes etc .... here

Happy Birthday, Aileen, and I hope you are not too sore today!

And well done to you both on your efforts yesterday!

You can read more in local newspaper articles here, and here.

Photos © Skip Cottage

Think wheels

I'm thinking about wheelchair curling this afternoon for two reasons. Firstly, the Kinross Wheelchair Curling International goes ahead this week, with the first games tomorrow (Tuesday) evening.

Seven teams will take part, from Switzerland, Norway, Wales, and four Scottish squads skipped by Aileen Neilson, Rosemary Lenton, Jim Elliot and Mo Simpson.

Archie Bogie, on the organising committee, writes, "We have not got such a big international field this year probably due to the post Olympic dip in funding, but I'm sure it will still be an excellent competition. We see the return of the Norway coach Thoralf Hognestad after a year out and a changed Swiss team. I'm also pleased to see that Wales is still trying to keep wheechair curling together in their patch." I agree with that Archie. I hope I'll be able to get up to the Green Hotel this week to see some of the action. The competition concludes on Thursday.

The other wheelchair curling news is from the Scottish Wheelchair Curling Association with a heads-up on the new Shotmaker competition. This is the brainchild of Mike McCreadie along with his fellow curlers, Rosemary Lenton, Bill Masterton and Gill Keith. It is to be a fun competition, which tests each player’s shotmaking skills, making players think about ice conditions, line and weight - the fundamentals of good curling. There will be a final in March for the top twelve who score well over the season.

The principle of Shotmaker is to provide a test of each curler against the ice. Michael explains his reasoning to introduce a skills based competition. The 'why' is that it will increase the skill level of players, assist player development, challenge players to develop a full range of shots, gauges player form, assesses players ability to handle pressure, creates an additional form of competition and it will be a form of objective, transparent testing to identify the best all round player

The tests/competitions will be carried out at various locations to ensure varying ice conditions, and will involve drawing through a port, guarding, tap-up, striking through port, hog to hog timing/tee to hog timing and beat the shot.

The top twelve players will go through to final at Kinross in March 2011. The winner will receive 'Judy’s Jug' at the SWCA AGM.

Given the emphasis in the sport in selecting individuals to make up squads and teams, an individual skills based competition is a welcome innovation. It will be interesting to see how it all works out on the ice this season. Good to see too that Michael, who is taking a season out of competition, has still his heart in taking the sport forward.

McCreadie confirmed as GB skip for Paralympics

I was pleased to note that Michael McCreadie (delivering above) has been confirmed as the skip of the team which will represent GB at the Paralympic curling in Vancouver, March 13-20. The draw for the competition can be found here.

Tom Killin, Angie Malone, Aileen Neilson and Jim Sellar are the other Team GB members. Tom Pendreigh is the coach.

The full press release is here.

Pic of Michael is © Skip Cottage