Wheelchair curling returns to Inverness

by Graham Linton

Action from the Highland Wheelchair Curling Triples competition

FOR the first time in five years competitive wheelchair curling returned to the Highlands helped by a recent sponsorship deal between Highland Wheelchair Curling Club and Tesco Inverness.
Scotland’s top wheelchair curlers converged on the Highland Capital to take part in the first-ever Highland Wheelchair Curling Triples Competition at Inverness Ice Centre.

There was some very skilful curling on show from all the competitors during the event, which included Scottish/GB and Spokes squad players and club curlers.
Despite several call-offs due to illness, eight teams battled it out and all games were played in a round-robin format.

The team from Moray consisting of Gregor Ewan, Tom Killin and Jim Gault topped the leaderboard at the end of the two-day competition with six wins and one loss.

That defeat came in their first game against the home team of Mo Simpson, Seamus McArdle and guest player Maria Duncan, from Kinross. The Highland trio eventually finished fifth overall.

The Tesco Trophy was presented to the winners by Rhona Brindle, community champion at Tesco Extra, Inverness.

The prizes of diamond paperweights were handed over by Tony Zummack, head GB performance coach.

"Highland Wheelchair Curling Club were delighted that Tesco Inverness agreed to provide sponsorship for this event," said Simpson, Highland Wheelchair Curling Club secretary.

"The two community champions — Shona Patience, of Tesco Inshes and Rhona Brindle, of Tesco Extra, arranged for all four stores in Inverness to work together to raise the money.
"This will enable us to hold a high quality wheelchair curling competition here in the Highlands for the next three years.

"As well as Tesco Inverness providing the main sponsorship, we are extremely grateful to the Highland Council Common Good Fund, Provost Alex Graham, Caley Thistle, staff and directors of Inverness Ice Centre, GOoutdoors, Scottish Wheelchair Curling Association, and Ashers Bakery, Nairn, for their support."