THE World Curling Federation have taken the sad but understandable decision to cancel the World Mixed Championships for this year.

Red more here:

There was more sadness recently with the news of the passing of former ICA member Mary Radcliffe.

Mary and her husband Bill were regular faces at ICA bonspiels for many years.

They particularly supported the Irish Weekend at Stranraer which was organised for 20 odd years by their great friends, Jim and Kathie Nixon.

Mary is pictured here in the winning rink of an ICA bonspiel in 2013.

The sympathies of all the members goes out to Bill and family.

TRIBUTES from across the curling world have been paid this week to Anne Gumley.

Anne was a founder member of the Irish Curling Association and was always a great supporter of the Irish curlers, whenever they took to the ice.

A native of Northern Ireland, Anne was one of a merry band of Irish players that crossed the sea to play an exhibition match on outdoor ice in front of Belfast City Hall in December 1999.

She and her late husband were very involved with curling in Edinburgh, especially at the much-missed Gogar Park Ice Rink.

Anne’s daughter-in-law Vicky, herself a Scottish champion curler, recently said that Anne was very proud to get her Irish passport a couple of years ago but was disappointed it wasn’t green!

The heartfelt sympathies of all the members of the ICA go out to Anne’s family and we acknowledge and remember the important part she played in the early days of Irish curling.

TEN years ago this very day – December 11 – the last medal was won by Ireland in the European B League.

It was a bronze that year, won by the men’s team of Robin Gray, Johnjo Kenny, Bill Gray, Neil Fyfe, John Furey and coach Jim Winning.

The B League Championship was played down the valley in Monthey with the A League in Champrey that year.

🌟🎄Sign up for the ICA Christmas Cracker – Our second Virtual Bonspiel, held from 11th-13th December!🎄🌟

We had a great turnout of 24 players last time – and this time, there are prizes!
If you’re interested in signing up please send us a message on Facebook, or send an email to secretary@irish-curling.org.

Entries close on Wednesday 9th December.

IRISH Curling Association President Eoin McCrossan has been selected by the World Curling Federation to receive a scholarship towards a Postgrad Certificate in International Sports Management, starting next year through the University of London Distance Learning Programme.

Eoin is excited about his selection and is looking forward to starting the course work in 2021.

Here, Eoin explains to our members what is involved and how it will benefit him and the ICA in the future.

He said: “The course, offered in conjunction with the World Academy of Sport, is both an academically sound and industry focused qualification. The University of London aim to give students the skills needed for the professional management of organisations within the sporting world, something I have had a taste of so far in my first year as president.

“With core modules in leadership, governance and finance as well as electives in a whole of topics from marketing and media to entrepreneurship it seems like a really broad course and one I am really excited to get started with. Building on my time with Scottish Curling, I hope this will enhance my professional skills and enable me to lead the ICA even more effectively and drive both myself and the committee to new heights. I am incredibly grateful to the WCF for their support as without them, I wouldn’t be able to undertake this qualification.”  

We all wish him the best of luck with his studies and we are all very proud that our President was chosen by the WCF for a scholarship.