A DETERMINED Gourock woman who lives with a long-term spinal condition has scooped two prestigious honours in her beloved sport.

Alison Cloudsley was part of the four-person team which won the 2023 Scottish Wheelchair Curling Association British Open, and the 2023 Scottish Wheelchair Curling Association Scottish Championship just weeks later. 

The skilful curler, who lives with spina bifida, was joined in the winning quartet by her fiance Dan Cowan, after being invited to play alongside curlers Gregor Ewan from Elgin and Jim Gault from Lossiemouth. 

The team were pitted against players from all over Britain and as far afield as Sweden, Russia, Norway, Germany and the USA.

Greenock Telegraph:

Alison, 33, said while she knew her quartet were in with a good chance of winning, taking the top title in both competitions was a huge honour.

She added: "Gregor and Jim are paralympians and world champions so it was incredible to play alongside them.

"They're so experienced and they win a lot of competitions so we knew our chances of winning were high.

"The other teams played really well. 

"It was a really international atmosphere and we got the chance to play against teams from all over the world across the two competitions.

"My friends and family are all thrilled. 

"My mum and dad came along to watch both competitions and there was a really great crowd."

Greenock Telegraph:

Alison started curling back in January 2009 after she was inspired by her good friend the late Jim Taylor MBE who was a leading light in the sport. 

She said her love of curling has helped her live a full life with her disability. 

Alison added: "I was hooked on curling after I played my first game.

"The nature of my disability has always meant I am too able for disabled sports but not able enough for mainstream sports.

"Having the sport in my life has really helped my independence.

"I'm able to travel around and I get to see so many different places. 

"It can be tiring but it's always really enjoyable."

Alison met her fiance Dan, who is from the Scottish Borders, at Greenacres curling rink.

She's also a member of the Waterfront Curling Club, Lockerbie Wheelchair Curling Club and Braehead Wheelchair Curling Club, although the rink closed in 2020. 

The champion curler said she loves the social aspect of the sport just as much being on the rink. 

Alison added: "I love the socialisation aspect. 

"I've made so many good friends and of course, I met Dan. 

"It's great for different people who all share a love of curling to come together. 

"It's really friendly but we're very competitive when we get on the rink!

"We all socialise in between matches and in the evenings as well. 

"I love the support that curling provides."

Alison has her sights set on forthcoming contests including the SWCA National Wheelchair Curling Pairs Championship and Highland Wheelchair Curling Triples Competition.

She said the number of wheelchair curlers has decreased since Covid but she hopes raising awareness of the enjoyment of the sport will encourage more people to give it a whirl. 

Alison added: "Numbers have definitely gone down due to the cost of living crisis and Covid.

"With the nature of it being a wheelchair sport, people have to do what's best for their condition. 

"It would be good to get more people coming along again.

"It doesn't matter where you are in terms of your disability, we all help each other out and remove any barriers to us playing the sport we love.

"I want to encourage as many people as possible to take up the sport."