Our new Academy manager, Sophie Jackson
Scottish Curling is delighted to announce our new Academy Manager for the 2020-21 season, Sophie Jackson.
Sophie is well known in the curling community having been a British Curling funded athlete for five years, and will manage a cohort of 50 young athletes split into two academies; one regional and one national. It’s envisaged this new structure will allow a greater number of our youngest athletes to participate, taking away the pressure of frequent travel to the National Curling Academy in Stirling.
Sophie says:
”I can’t wait to get started! I’m really looking forward to it, it’s such an exciting time for the Academy, and obviously some huge boots to fill after Rambos’s retirement. I’m certain the fresh structure will give more athletes better opportunities. It’s a great time to come on board and use my knowledge as an International athlete to help all those involved achieve their fullest potential.
The first priority will be to get everyone on the ice after such a long break; as soon as it’s safe to do so. With so many months off I’m hoping everyone will be refreshed and ready to work hard.”
Sophie has much experience on the world curling stage, having skipped her team to silver at World Junior level in 2017, as well as achieving bronze at the World Mixed in Kazan in 2016 and having won the Scottish Curling Championships in 2019.
She has also completed a degree in Sports Development & Coaching and a Masters in Psychology of Sport, all of which she’s hoping to put to good use.
Eager to gain from Sophie’s experience will be our new intake.
The 18 National Academy athletes will receive weekly coaching at the National Curling Academy in Stirling.
The 32 Regional Academy athletes will be supported at their local rinks and will come into the NCA several times a year for training camps.
The athletes offered support are as follows:
National Academy
| Laura Watt |
| Robyn Munro |
| Lisa Davie |
| Robyn Mitchell |
| Susie Smith |
| Annabelle Louise Hof |
| Georgia Clark |
| Eilidh Troup |
| Amy MacDonald |
| Rachel Dakers |
| Mark Taylor |
| Robin McCall |
| Gavin Barr |
| David Baird |
| Scott Hyslop |
| Angus Bryce |
| Jack Carrick |
| Hamish Gallacher |
Regional Academy
| Hannah Farries |
| Kirsty Farries |
| Katie Grant |
| Shannon Whatley |
| Inca Maguire |
| Lucy Blair |
| Alex Macintosh |
| Joanna Surtherland |
| Holly Hamilton |
| Anna Warden |
| Emily Broadwood |
| Ishbel McCartney |
| Adam MacDairmid |
| Tim Hof |
| Scott Barr |
| Bill Turner |
| Struan Carson |
| Kaleb Johnston |
| Ewan Jackson |
| Jack Strawhorn |
| Fraser Swanston |
| Jonathan Blair |
| Ross Craik |
| Jake MacDonald |
| Christopher Morris |
| Gavin Cameron |
| Jamie Rankin |
| Jonathan Buchanan |
| Rory MacNair |
| Kyle McLain |
| Jay Maxwell |
| Lewis Logan |
Many congratulations to the young athletes who have worked so hard over past seasons, for selection to the programmes.
Sophie starts her new role at the end of the month.
