Interest at curling clubs soars after Olympic success

Trial sessions have been running at the Waterfront Leisure Centre since November last year and in and around the Beijing games 16 new players were recruited to the curling leagues already in place.

Now, fresh from Great Britain's success in Beijing - where Eve Muirhead and the women's team scooped gold and Bruce Mouat and the men took silver - curlers are expecting to see even more people keen for a brush with the ice.

The Try Curling sessions are organised by Inverclyde Leisure, Scottish Curling and the Waterfront Curling Development Team.

Stevie McGrath is part of a team of 10 coaches who train those just starting out.

Stevie said: "We want to see the new Mouats and Muirheads coming out of Inverclyde.

"We don't have as many clubs or as many members as we used to, so we're really keen to get curlers of all ages involved.

"It's a very social sport and is a fantastic way to keep fit."

Day League Curling Waterfront

Curling started life in the 1500s and it has been played in Inverclyde for more than 200 years.

There are around 14 clubs locally and up to 350 players, and Stevie says a number of coaches, ice technicians and referees from Inverclyde have gone on to work all over the world.

He's very proud of Inverclyde's rich curling pedigree and wants to build on that in the future.

Day League Curling Waterfront

Stevie added: "We currently have a beginners group of around 30 players, so we're keen to expand on that and set up a junior league next season."

The Waterfront's facilities manager Gary Brown says the team have seen lots of friendships form on the ice.

He added: "People are starting to get out and about again now that restrictions have eased, and this is a great way to socialise.

"We're hoping that we'll attract even more players after the success of the GB teams at the Winter Olympics.

Day League Curling Waterfront

"We're trying to attract players of all ages."

John McDermott, chair of the Waterfront Curling Development Team, said: "We have produced some great curlers locally over the years.

"We're keen to provide opportunities for people to come along and try the sport which I am sure will capture their imagination and enjoyment.

"The Olympics grabbed many people's interest and now we want to build on that."

Player Colin McDougall from Ardgowan Curling Club says the sport is ideal as it can be played throughout winter indoors.

He told the Tele: "It's multi-age, multi-gender and multi-fun."

Try Curling sessions run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am and at 8pm until the end of March.

To book visit www.trycurling.com and enter Inverclyde as the local centre.