Thursday, 1st of June 2023

CELEBRATING VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK SCOTLAND 2023

The first week of June marks Volunteers’ Week in Scotland and how could we not get involved in celebrating when our sport is blessed with so many amazing volunteers!

Simply put, curling, at any level, would not be possible without the commitment volunteers bring to the sport – we are deeply grateful to all of them. For this Volunteers’ Week, we asked some individuals to share their volunteering stories. Scroll through this article to hear from John McGowan, Eilidh Crawford, Jamie Mason, Paul Davis, Kirsty Cassells, and Bill Cleghorn.

Do you have a volunteering story to share? We would love to hear it! Get in touch with us via marketing@scottishcurling.org.

If you are feeling inspired to get involved in volunteering in curling, the right opportunity for you is out there. Get in touch with your local rink to discuss ways you can help out or contact Fiona Harfield on fiona@scottishcurling.org to learn more about becoming a coach or an umpire.

JOHN McGOWAN

My name is John McGowan, and I volunteer as an umpire. I am currently the Convenor of the Scottish Umpiring Committee.

Back in 2015, I was coaching an Under-17 team and they fell foul of a wrong umpiring decision which cost them a place in the play-offs of an event. I decided, as their coach, that I should know the rules better, and undertook the basic umpiring course to put me in a better position to represent their case and hopefully prevent such an incident ever happening again. I did the basic course and thoroughly enjoyed it. I decided that the U17 team were now at a stage where they needed a better coach than me, and I changed from coaching to umpiring.

It was always my view that curling had given me years of pleasure and enjoyment, and I wanted to put something back into the sport that I loved so much. I started off as a timer at Scottish championships in Perth, then progressed to being a Game Umpire at Scottish Curling events. I quickly gained experience, learning from other more experienced umpires and gained in confidence. I then had the good fortune to be invited by the WCF to be a Game Umpire at the European B Division in St Galllen, Switzerland in November 2017.

I have since then been lucky enough to progress through the umpiring ranks, to achieve a Level 5 Qualification as a Scottish Umpire, the highest level available. To achieve this, I have been fortunate to umpire as Game Umpire, Deputy Chief Umpire and Chief Umpire at numerous Scottish, European and World championships, including the Beijing Olympics in 2022 and World University Games in Lake Placid, USA in 2023.

I love the challenges presented during competition, and the opportunity to watch and interact with some of the world’s best curlers whilst still going back to officiate at grassroots events in Scotland where I am able to support these curlers by ensuring that their event runs smoothly and fairly. I continue to volunteer, probably even more so now that I have retired from working, and continue to derive great pleasure from seeing an event run well and, most importantly, see the athletes be able to enjoy fair competition. I would certainly recommend volunteering as an umpire or time keeper to anyone. If you are interested, feel free to contact Fiona Harfield at Scottish Curling (fiona@scottishcurling.org), or even contact me and we can steer you in the right direction for courses and opportunities.

EILIDH CRAWFORD

I initially got into curling through school, like many curlers do. Plus, my family played the sport and I wanted to see what the fuss was all about! I instantly caught the curling bug and joined the juniors section at Braehead as well as joining Bearsden Curling Club. A few years later I met Lauren Gray; her passion for the sport and her success were of great inspiration.

Just before lockdown I took part in Scottish Curling’s Level 1 Coaching Course, delivered by Alan Hannah. The opportunity to be personally taught at club level – by an Olympic coach – is not something that you get in many sports! I initially wanted to get into coaching to assist my club in potentially recruiting new members through come and try sessions. However, seeing how inclusive curling is resulted in me signing up to assist with as many sessions as possible at my new home rink of Greenacres.

I enjoy meeting new people from a broad range of backgrounds and seeing the delight in their faces when trying something new and catching the curling bug I myself fell for 13 years ago. Curling as a sport does not discriminate against age, race, gender, or disability and allows everyone to come together. The fact that you can have a whole family on the ice from age eight to 80(+) is wonderful to be a part of, if a little competitive at times!

 

JAMIE MASON

As a volunteer coach for the Little Rockers, I’ve had the privilege of working with a fantastic group of young curlers, including my seven-year-old son who is the youngest on the team. The Little Rockers consist of 16 children ranging in age from seven to just over 12. This group is a part of the Ayr Curling Club’s investment in the junior curlers, and four dedicated volunteers coach them.

This year, the Little Rockers have had an enjoyable and successful season. They participated in the Orr Ewing Trophy, a competition that consists of two Junior and two ordinary curlers who compete against similar teams to win the trophy. The team was ecstatic to win the trophy, and it was a testament to the hard work and dedication of both the coaches and the players. Additionally, the Little Rockers participated in the Newcomers Bonspiel at Greenacres Curling Club and they had an absolute blast! These achievements demonstrate how programmes like the Little Rockers are the backbone of the sport, both at the grassroots and elite levels of curling.

As a volunteer coach, it has been incredibly fulfilling to be a part of such a fantastic programme that provides young curlers with opportunities to develop their skills, make new friends, and have fun. It’s also essential to note that many of the current champions and medal-winning teams started in a Little Rockers programme or a local equivalent. Although coaching the Little Rockers can be challenging at times, the rewards are significant. The enthusiasm and energy these young curlers bring to the ice are contagious. Even on days where they are particularly hyper, it’s a joy to see the pure excitement and enthusiasm they have for the sport. The feeling of pride and joy when they make a shot or learn a new skill is priceless.

In conclusion, volunteering as a coach for the Little Rockers has been an unforgettable experience. It’s a wonderful way to give back to the community, make a positive impact on the next generation of curlers, and create lifelong memories. I encourage anyone who has a passion for the sport and an interest in working with young people to consider getting involved in their local Little Rockers programme. Together, we can help build a strong and vibrant community of curlers, and ensure that the sport continues to thrive for years to come.

 

PAUL DAVIS

In 1999 I moved from the west of Scotland to Edinburgh. After a few years of travelling to Greenacres on a Sunday evening for a game of curling – my wife thought I was mad – I visited Gogar Park Curling Club only to be told it was going to shut at the end of that season. I was advised that Edinburgh Curling Club would be my best chance of getting regular curling without a 130 mile round trip! I joined Corstorphine Curling Club, ending up playing regularly and occasionally I played on Sunday mornings. I was amazed at the number of kids attending on Sunday mornings and enquired if I could help out.

I was informed about the Level 1 coaching course and duly completed this course, subsequently following this up with many modules and eventually completing my Level 2. After I qualified as a Level 1 coach I did regular sessions on a Sunday morning with the Gogar Park Young Curlers and the Gremlins. I persuaded my daughter and some of her school friends to come along to coaching and she instantly loved the sport.

Lots of folk ask why I got involved with coaching and volunteering and for me the answer is very straightforward. When I was growing up I was very fortunate to be involved in golf, tennis, karate, table tennis, squash, athletics, and cross country running. In every sport I participated in I was surrounded by folk volunteering and giving up their time to assist and develop youngsters and older folk in sports. Until a participant reaches quite a high level, almost all coaching and leaning is attributed to those prepared to give up their time and without such folk most grassroots sports teams wouldn’t exist. Therefore, my answer to the question ‘why do you do it?’ Is a very simple one: I was given assistance when I was younger and benefitted greatly from all those folk giving up their time. Now it’s my turn to assist others.

In curling I find that not only can I assist the youngsters coming into the sport, but I can assist those from a more mature age group get involved in the wonderfully social sport of curling. When I’m on the ice and someone in their 60s or 70s manages their first successful slide and delivery I get an enormous buzz and realise that perhaps we have a new convert to our wonderful sport. Through Try Curling and group sessions I always encourage folk to sit and socialise after a coaching session or game. Participants in our sessions tend to be from a more mature age bracket and on occasions it becomes very apparent that these folk find life during the dark wet and cold months of winter unappealing. The sport of curling, the social interaction before, during and after a game is a superb way for these folk to create new friendships and enjoy themselves as the alternative may be sitting by themselves in their home.

In conclusion, I’m delighted to say that over the years I’ve managed to get my daughter Holly and wife Heather into the sport of curling. My daughter Holly is a fantastic curler, much better than I could ever hope to be, my wife Heather, starting very late into the sport, is a very good curler and in fact won a Silver Medal in the Masters. Interestingly, they too have gone down the route of coaching and both spend considerable time on the ice helping young and old alike.

KIRSTY CASSELLS

I have been volunteering with Kinross Junior Curling Club for a number of years now, largely because my daughter is a member but also because I love it. I am a Level 1 coach and work mainly with newer members, helping them develop good slide techniques and an understanding of the game, and I am also the treasurer for the club. Outside of those roles I try to organise fundraising events, getting the kids and other parents involved too – we have a great wee club and it’s all enormous fun. Outside of the junior club I help Kinross Curling with other coaching sessions such as Try Curling, Beginners Courses, and sometimes the after school club – all of which are great fun too!

I started curling quite late in life and deeply regret not finding it earlier because I absolutely love it. I like to share that with others to hopefully encourage them to take up the sport because it really is for everyone. Outside of curling, I am a full-time lecturer at college, teaching accountancy and business, and outwith work enjoy spending time with my family. We have a holiday caravan in the south-west of Scotland where we escape to with our dog and spend time walking through forests and along beaches, and usually eating far too much ice cream.

 

BILL CLEGHORN

When I get asked ‘Why do I volunteer?’, I sometimes ask myself the same question. Thinking back, my first volunteering was perhaps at school, but in real terms, the first official voluntary scenario would be when I progressed from being a Scout to Senior Scout, to Scout Leader, to Group Scout Leader and on to Assistant District Commissioner (Scouts). Through the scouts, I got involved with the start-up of a local Judo Club, as they wanted to use our scout hall. This developed into me becoming a member and taking on the duty of secretary/treasurer for the club as well.

Regarding my long-term involvement in curling, this all started in 1964 when the Border Ice Rink opened. I was still only 17 then, I started skating and became a Skating Steward on the very first day. This came about as I had learned to skate at Murrayfield when at uni and was one of the very few that could actually skate when the Kelso rink opened. I started curling a couple of years later and it was not long after that I found myself on my club committee – while still involved with skating, scouts, and judo. Here I am, 59 years later having fond memories of the many hours in voluntary roles with curling in general and the Border Ice Rink in particular, serving as President, Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and general committee member in various sections of the sport (I EVEN FOUND TIME TO CURL!). I really enjoy organising events such as numerous fund raisers, incoming international tours, and celebration events. I became quite good at it, so when something along these lines emerged, I usually got asked to lead or be part of the organising team. If I was to count up all the years I have been involved in different voluntary work at the rink and put these years end to end, it spans over 86 years. This does not include the many years of non-curling related work such as our local Common Riding Festival of which I was convener of several sections, organising events etc (this takes me well over 115 years if one was counting).

It may sound as if I am blowing my own trumpet, but, in fact, what I am writing here is an indication of what can happen when you start volunteering: IT GRABS YOU. I never do this work for self-praise, I don’t think anyone does, but it is nice when you are being appreciated and for people to say ‘thanks’. This is perhaps what helps volunteers do what they do.

Anyone who has enjoyed any sport or activity should perhaps ask themselves: ‘Would I be able to take part in this without the help of volunteers?’. The answer in every case will be the same: NO. If you have enjoyed the activity, think about putting back into it some of what you have taken out. It does not need to be 10 or 20 hours a week or span 86 or 115 years; a few hours a week or a month helps such a lot and you will find it rewarding. Volunteering is not for everyone and if it’s not for you, then it’s not for you, but for many it is so pleasing, gratifying, and in some cases could even be therapeutic – please give it a try.

So, back to the original question: Why do I volunteer? I guess it is just simply something I have always done from a young age. I find it so rewarding and where would our sports; our events; our venues; our wellbeing; and our fellowship be without volunteers?