Royal British Legion – Invictus Training Weekend
11/12th May 2024 – Stirling University
Last weekend Scottish Curling were part of the Royal British Legion’s final training camp ahead of selections for Team UK to compete at the Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler in 2025. During this training camp, we saw around 35 participants continuing their sporting journey, many of whom are aiming to be part of Team UK, and the Wheelchair Curling team, heading out to Canada in 2025.
This year celebrates 10 years since the Inaugural Invictus Games London 2014, but also that this is the first year Invictus have included Wheelchair Curling within their competitions. This is a fantastic opportunity not only for the sport of Wheelchair Curling, but also for 3 Scottish Curling coaches!
The 3 coaches for the Team UK Wheelchair Curling squad are Angie Malone MBE, Elspeth Burton and John McLelland, who all have a wealth of knowledge both competing and coaching nationally and internationally. Inclusion is a big focus for Scottish Curling, so it is brilliant to see not only 2 female coaches, but also 2 coaches who are wheelchair users take on these roles, showing how accessible, and inclusive the sport of curling is within all roles, and levels.
When speaking with our coaches about the experience so far, it was great to hear so much from them. Malone, 4 times winter Paralympian, winning Silver in Vancouver 2010, and Bronze in Sochi 2014 said “There are exciting times ahead for us as coaches, preparing veterans and service personnel for the debut of Wheelchair Curling at the Invictus Games in Vancouver 2025. Our blend of mixed gender and wheelchair ABLE coaches has enhanced the experience we offer to all our participants. We are honoured, proud and excited to be part of “a shared Journey of Recovery” at the Invictus Games with the most inspirational, amazing veterans and service personnel”
Further to this, McLelland, Scottish Wheelchair Curling champion 2022 said “It’s a privilege and an honour to be part of the Invictus family. It’s great to see the veterans and service personnel embracing and enjoying the sport of wheelchair curling. Seeing the smiling faces while they play and have fun is great to see and I hope we can make a difference in their individual recovery journeys.”
Finally, Burton, British Curling Paralympic Pathway Coach said “I feel so privileged to be playing a small part in the journey of so many amazing people through my work as a wheelchair curling coach for Team UK Invictus Games. I am thoroughly enjoying introducing so many people to a sport that I love, and also seeing the power of sport as part of a healing, recovery and rehabilitation process. Invictus is Latin for “unconquered”, and this is evidenced in the attitude of all the participants we meet. Truly inspirational stuff.”
It is exciting to not only continue to see Scottish Curling coaches in action throughout the Invictus Games journey, but also to see the first ever Wheelchair Curling team competing in Vancouver in February 2025. We wish them, and all the Team UK all the very best!
