Two-time Paralympian Mhairi Love was among the newcomers to the sport who took part in British Curling’s Female Focus Paralympic recruitment campaign, which was held at the National Curling Academy during Scottish Women and Girls in Sport week (30 September – 6 October).
Led by British Curling’s Paralympic Pathway Manager Cheryl Lappin, the campaign is aiming to increase the number of female participants on the GB Paralympic curling squad and the Female Focus event offered a chance to take part in a taster session in the performance venue in Stirling which hosts the Olympic and Paralympic programme. 
Love, who was born in Bellshill and now lives in Stirling, was among those who took the opportunity and the swimmer who won two silver medals in freestyle at Athens in 2004 and currently runs a swim club for children aged 4+ across the Forth Valley at Denny High School relished the chance to return to an elite sports environment.
“I have had an interest in curling for a couple of years now and just thought I would bite the bullet when I saw the campaign advertised so came along to see if I could start off another sporting journey and see where it takes me,” said the 42-year-old.
“The facility here at the NCA is incredibly accessible and being a female only event playing alongside and surrounded by women on the day may make some trying out for the first time feel more confident, safe and secure in that environment and there were loads of take-aways from the day.
“It can sometimes be difficult getting access into sport, due to a number of barriers – perceived or otherwise - so if an opportunity like this comes your way then I believe it is important that anyone should absolutely give this a go.”
Another who welcomed the opportunity to try a new sport was Lorna Farrell, who travelled through from her home in Glasgow and the 59-year-old sports enthusiast is now looking to build on the experience.
“Being active can be difficult when you are restricted to a wheelchair and having been inspired by watching the Olympics and Paralympics this seemed like a really good opportunity to come and try wheelchair curling,” she said. 
“I was a Sports Chaplain for years at Queen Park Football Club so I have experience of being in a sporting environment and the benefits that brings.
“Being able to try this sport was a great opportunity as I love watching curling and wheelchair curling.
“I have been disabled for 10 years and when I was able bodied I played badminton and was a member of a running club, so it was great to try this out and the time on ice went so quickly.
“There was definitely progress which excited me and I found that I want to get better at this, so I have definitely got the bug and will definitely be visiting Hamilton which is my closest club to follow up on this.
“Today the coaches were excellent and there was lots of hands-on and one to one support, so it was very educational and supportive.
“It has been so welcoming which is important when you are trying something for the first time and coming along on your own.
“There is that element of vulnerability but I would recommend this to anyone and tell other women out there just come along. 
“I was late this morning and still came and felt very welcome and very quickly there was a sense of camaraderie so it was a very safe and encouraging environment and we were all rooting for each other as we were learning.
“For someone like me who has only ever watched the sport on tv, this time on ice has been great.
“I have loved it so much more than I thought I would today and I want to find out more and play the game.”
The one day event was a collaborative day involving female leads from partner organisations across Scotland, including, Scottish Curling, Scottish Wheelchair Curling, Sportscotland Institute of Sport with further support for the pathway strategy and campaign provided by UK Sport and PararalympicsGB.
“Following our successful inaugural Female Focus event, it felt appropriate to be continuing our campaign during Scottish Women and Girls week which without doubt gave our day an extra boost and will hopefully add more profile in our bid to get more women enjoying this inclusive team sport,” said Lappin.
“We had overwhelming feedback that our participants found the day to be extremely welcoming and less daunting trying out a new sport for the first time among other women and surrounded by an all female staff and coaching support team. 
“That is useful feedback for us as we continue to shape these taster sessions to be make them as accessible as possible and we are delighted that the group has signed up for more wheelchair curling.”
British Curling’s Head Paralympic Coach Sheila Swan meanwhile noted that the sport is an exemplar of female leadership, which is the theme of this year’s Scottish Women and Girls in Sport week.
“I would like to extend my thanks to all those who helped make the day a success and it was important that the women who joined us at the NCA witnessed first-hand the female leaders working in this sport and the inclusive environment we have created at both club and performance level,” she said.
“We are incredibly lucky to have so many inspirational female role models in this sport who have achieved so much both on and off the ice, including Olympians Rhona Howie (Martin), Jackie Lockhart and Eve Muirhead and Paralympians Aileen Neilson, Angie Malone – all of whom are still giving back to the game.
“There are many other women in leading roles in this game too, so I hope that women and young girls look at this sport and can see the opportunities available to them.
“Seeing is believing and the more we see women as successful leaders and athletes in our sport, the more we help to break down barriers and get more women active and regularly participating and boosting clubs… and who knows where aspiration and opportunity might take them, Milan-Cortina or beyond.”
For anyone interested in Paralympic recruitment events in the pipeline please contact Cheryl Lappin for further details: Cheryl.Lappin@britishcurling.org.uk
#shecanshewill #letsmovetogether #curling
