Attendance outstripped organisers’ expectations as British Curling tapped into a rich seam of raw talent at its first Wheelchair Come and Try event.
The growing popularity of the sport was demonstrated by the turn-out at The Peak and The National Curling Academy in Stirling, with participants travelling from across the UK to attend, some from as far afield as London. 
“We are absolutely delighted with the turn out following our recent UK-wide Paralympic recruitment campaign,” said Cheryl Lappin, British Curling’s Paralympic Pathway Manager.
“The event was a huge success, with morning and afternoon ice slots full, while our new ‘FloorCurl’ equipment was also very well received and those who attended across the day gained hours of great quality coaching from our team.”
The key now is ensuring that all those who showed their enthusiasm by making the effort to get to Stirling are given maximum opportunity to continue in the sport.
“Our next steps are that all individuals will be signposted to relevant wheelchair curling clubs geographically, as well as identifying those with talent potential and moving them up to the next stage of our Paralympic Pathway at our Paralympic Talent Assessment days,” said Lappin.
“We are extremely excited by the prospect of new athletes being involved in wheelchair curling across the UK and within our current squads.”
She noted that the event had been the result of close collaboration with partners and staff.
“We want to offer a special thanks to our partners who supported the event; UK Sport, ParalympicsGB, Active Stirling, Scottish Curling, Scottish Wheelchair Curling Association (SWCA), Stirling Wheelchair Curling Club, Wheelpower, Scottish Disability Sport and all our brilliant coaches and athletes on the day,” said Lappin.
John McClelland, SWCA Chairman, welcomed the British Curling initiative, indicating that it had been beneficial for all involved.
“Scottish Wheelchair Curling Association were delighted to be part of the British Curling Try Curling Day at the Peak, in Stirling,” he said.
“It was great to see everyone involved having fun on the ice and we look forward to watching their progress within the sport in the future.”
If you would like to get involved in our Paralympic Recruitment Campaign, please follow the link below and complete the form and we will be in touch. The English based Wheelchair Come and Try event due to take place on Friday 3rd Nov has, however, been postponed, but more details will follow and will be shared on the British Curling website and social channels.
Get involved - click here for Wheelchair Try Curling.
