ICA Recognition

The ICA is trying to achieve recognition by the various international curling bodies in order to participate in the sport at international level. This will help fuel the sport within Ireland and establish it. We have so far not been recognised by the European Curling Federation, the World Curling Federation or the Olympic Committee.

However the major issue we have come up against and are trying to overcome is:

* The ICA does not have a permanent curling base in Ireland itself - it is mostly run by ex-pats living in Scotland and most fixtures are played there. However we have provided equipment to Dundonald Ice Bowl in Belfast and with their co-operation, play a number of curling events there each year.

* This issue is being addressed: and the persistence of the committee seems to be paying off, but there is more work to be done.

* It is hoped that should we re-establish curling in Ireland and gain recognition from either the Irish Sports Council or the Irish Olympic committee, then we should be in a better position to press our case for WCF & ECF affiliation.

Curling in Belfast:

The recent success of the Rhona Martin's Great Britain Curling team in winning the Gold medal in the Salt Lake City Olympics, has helped raise the profile of the sport - even in Ireland.

The ICA has dealt with a number of press enquiries in the last few weeks. Our Secretary and Development Officer, John Burns, has been interviewed by BBC Radio Ulster and spoken to the Belfast Telegraph and has fielded a number of other television & newspaper enquiries.

The media interest has also helped prompt the Castlereagh Borough Council's representative for sport, Jill Simpson, to offer further support and co-operation in re-establishing the sport based at Dundonald Ice Bowl in Belfast.

The Belfast Telegraph is very interested in the sport and launched a "Who wants to see Curling in Belfast?" campaign on 22nd February. Any interest raised by this and other sources will hopefully be a basis for a restart of curling in Ireland.

The ICA is meeting with Castlereagh Borough Council in March to consider what can be done to promote the sport. We are considering meeting with sports organisations & schools as well as organising a six-week programme to kick start local curling in Belfast at the start of the next season (perhaps in September 2002). There would be a program of advertising, events, games, practice and tuition, all based at the Dundonald Ice Bowl. If there is sufficient interest and members, then we hope to set up curling clubs who can continue to play locally.

Curling in Dublin:

We have learned of proposed developments in Dublin to create a major sporting complex in Abbotstown, at which the Irish Ice Hockey Association would be based. There is hope that such a facility will include a practice ice rink, and the Ice Hockey Association have asked us to be involved, which would allow us to introduce curling at this facility. If the development goes ahead, it will not be completed for 3 to 4 years, but fingers crossed in the mean time.