COACH DOTTIE BURT REFLECTS ON CURLABILITY
Dottie Burt, qualified coach and driving force among VICKS (Vision Impaired Curlers Kinross), kindly supported our Curlability event held at the rink on 9 November as Lead Coach. We thank her and all other coaches who were there to help for their continued commitment. In this interview, Dottie reflects on Curlability and the importance of ensuring that curling is open to everyone.
Can you tell us about what you have been delivering at Curlability in Kinross?
Curlability is a festival of inclusive curling, promoted by Scottish Curling, hosted at Kinross Curling, and financially supported by Collier Haulage. The Scottish Curling Development Manager for North East Scotland, Lead on Disability and Inclusion Development contacted a diverse variety of organisations to invite their members to come and try curling.
The response was very positive and we welcomed about 10 potential new curlers to the event.
The VICKS curlers who also attended the event welcomed some of the visitors into their game.
Why do you think events like Curlability are important?
The wellbeing, physical, and mental health benefits of participating in any sport are well known. Becoming involved in any sporting activity with it’s physical, mental, and social benefits can be an enriching and life changing experience.
What interests you most about coaching inclusive curling sessions?
Being old enough to remember the creation of the Sports Council with its original slogan of Sport for All, I have always believed that inclusion should be the normal attitude to sport and not the exception. We should adopt the perception that we are just all built differently.
What advice do you have for any other coaches who are looking to hold inclusive curling sessions of their own?
Please get involved. It’s not difficult, there’s plenty of help available and you will learn and enrich your life so much.
How can people join in with a VICKS session at Kinross?
Please contact Kinross Curling at office@kinrosscurling.co.uk or telephone 01577861821.
The week starting 27 November to 3 December marks Scottish Disability Sport Week, celebrating getting active and involved in disability sport in Scotland. The campaign aims to highlight and promote the opportunities and the impact physical activity can have on individuals, communities, clubs and society across the country. It will also provide a platform to showcase the intersectionality of participants within disability sport and share the message that everyone can participate in sport.
