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Issue 13 - February 2020 YOUR CONTENT

04 What's On & Current Courses 08 Around The Rinks British Supplies 10 Making the Ice Scottish Curling Junior Men's 12 Champions - Team Craik 13 Scottish Curling Junior Women's Champions - Team Bryce Inclusive Curling 14 Curling with a Stick 16 Bulletin Board & 8-Ender Alert 18 Win Big at Four Nations Curlers Urged - Don't Put Prostate 20 Cancer Conversation on Ice 22 Competition Corner 24 Scottish Curling Championships 2020 Preview

A WORD FROM OUR CEO

Welcome to our Your Curler

We have been on standby since November for the prospect of a Grand Match but it is looking like we will have to wait for another winter. The temperature is required to be well below freezing for a period of at least two weeks, What's On & Current Courses ideally without precipitation. The latest date that a Grand Match took place in Scotland was in 1853 when the outdoor curling event was held on 15 Around The Rinks February. At least we will be able to enjoy a mass participation curling event in October 2020 when we hold the fifth Indoor Grand Match. British Curling Supplies Making the Ice Following the announcement of the closure of the Curling rink by intu Braehead, we have been working with members in the area to see Scottish Curling Junior Men's how to keep the sport going in the west. A Steering Group of volunteers was Champions - Team Craik formed to look into sites and options for the future and they have concluded that it is extremely unlikely that a replacement rink can be in place for next Scottish Curling Junior Women's season and the earliest date would be September 2021 or even 2022. The short term priority is now ensuring that clubs and competitions are able to Champions - Team Bryce continue next season and updates will be posted on our website HERE. Inclusive Curling If you want to watch the best of Scotland’s curlers in action, then head to the Curling with a Stick Dewars Centre in Perth to see the top men’s and women’s teams compete for Bulletin Board & 8-Ender Alert the titles. Tickets for the finals on Saturday 15 February have been selling well and the tickets can be bought HERE.

Scotland Win Big at Four Nations At the LGT WMCC 2020 from 28 Mar - 5 April at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Team Scotland will be in action in the following days and times: Curlers Urged - Don't Put Prostate Cancer Conversation on Ice Sat 7pm SCO v ITA Sun 9am SCO v GER and 7pm SCO v DEN Competition Corner Mon 2pm SCO v SUI and 7pm SCO v NED Tue 2pm SCO v RUS and 7pm SCO v CAN Scottish Curling Championships Wed 2pm SCO v CHN 2020 Preview Thu 9am SCO v KOR and 2pm SCO v SWE Fri 9am SCO v USA and 7pm SCO v NOR

Individual game tickets can be purchased at by following this link.

Bruce Crawford Chief Executive Officer WHAT'S ON:

current courses UKCC Level 1 – Mon 17 and 24 Feb | Dundee Ice Arena

Introduction to Sweeping – Fri 28 Feb | Borders Ice Bowl

Key Principles of the Delivery – Sat 29 Feb | Borders Ice Bowl

Introduction to Sweeping - Tue 17 Mar | Dundee Ice Arena

Stick Delivery - Mon 23 Mar Dundee Ice Arena Tickets are available online until 8am on Saturday 15 February* for Finals Day at the Scottish Curling Championships. This competition is the pinnacle of Scotland’s competitive curling calendar, with the top Men’s and Women’s teams competing for their respective national titles.

A hot buffet lunch is available to be added on for £12 (must be pre-booked by 1pm on Wednesday 12 February). All tickets are for seats in the ice rink, so bring warm clothes, hats, blankets and warm socks and shoes! Medal ceremonies will be held directly after the conclusion of the finals and are included in the ticket.

This event is a great opportunity to see the best of Scotland’s curling teams in action, and be there to witness who will represent Scotland’s Men and Women on the world stage for this season. The victorious Women’s team will travel to Canada to face the world competition, while world comes to Glasgow for the Men’s team, giving them the chance to curl at world level in front of the home crowd. Tickets available by following this link to our Eventbrite page.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Dewars Centre in Perth, on Saturday 15 February, for a day of fantastic curling.

*Subject to availability. Please note tickets for this event are extremely limited, and tickets available on the day will be subject to online sales and remaining availability at the venue.

AROUND THE RINKS DUNBLANE Not to be outdone by Santa and his sleigh, DCC arranged a Christmas Social with the only ice being in the drinks! Having got in touch with Scottish Curling to borrow the floor curling kit, and changed the dancefloor into an indoor rink. Current members, friends, family and potential new curlers enjoyed canapes, mince pies and fizz and a series of 2 end games with prizes to the top 3. The emphasis was on being social and having fun, and included President Lorna Brown, reciting her poem “Twas the week before Christmas” which recounted the story of a game against local rivals Keir that resulted in a blackeye for Martin Johnstone. STRANRAER Stranraer Ice Rink’s annual showcase competition, The McMillan , sponsored by P&O Ferries, was won in style by a rink skipped by .

Norman, with Hugh Aitken, Andrew Chalmers and David Logan beat fellow Stoneykirk Curling Club members Ian Kirkpatrick, Andrew Hannah, Willie Hurcomb and Willie McQuillan 4-3 in a high-quality final.

In Friday night’s final, Ian’s rink had started by taking singles at the first two ends. Norman’s team came back scoring singles in ends three and four. The fifth end was blanked by Kirkpatrick, who was hoping to score a two in the sixth, but that backfired when Brown moved 3-2 ahead after stealing a single. Kirkpatrick got a single back in the seventh but Brown’s team made sure the last stone in the last end counted to win by a shot.

Earlier in the evening, the semi finals saw Norman Brown’s team beat Frazer Hare’s rink 3-2, again by taking a single in the last end. Ian Kirkpatrick’s foursome had slightly easier passage to the final, beating Philip Wilson’s team 9-4 thanks to a four in the last end.

Eight rinks entered and the trophy was presented by John McColm, representing P&O – sponsors of more than 30 years’ standing. Maureen Parker, Stranraer Ice Rink President, was also there for the presentation. FORTHFORTH VALLEYVALLEY Borestone & win Forth Valley Bonspiel The Forth Valley Area Bonspiel saw all four Provinces (Stirlingshire, Central Scotland, Forth & Endrick, West Lothian) with six teams from each competing at The Peak, Stirling on 22 January this year.

In the first session, Falkirk Ladies got off to a flying start leading 12-0 after three ends. After that, Buchan started to play and slowly closed the gap till the last end needing a 4 to peel and more than enough stones in the house. The Ladies did enough to restrict them to a 2 and victory of 12-10.

Side by side, two battles took place with Drymen v Bridge of Allan and Strathendrick v Falkirk. Both matches had steals by all the teams and they both peeled at 5-5 and 6-6.

Borestone & Stirling played a canny game to keep Balfron at bay with a good 4 in the third end after Balfron took the lead with a 2 in the second. From then on till the final end, they kept stealing, winning 9-4.

Other scores were Blairdrummond 8-2 Abercorn, Airthrey Castle 1-13 Linlithgow. Stirlingshire Province had 5 points after the first session, a lead of 2 over Central Scotland.

In the second session, Uphall gave the Buccaneers a fright by winning the first two ends to lead 5-0. Buccaneers played themselves back into the game to draw level at 7-7 but Uphall couldn't hold on in the final end even with the last stone, to lose a 3 and the match There was a well fought match between last year's Forth Valley bonspiel winners Oatridge and last year's Forth Valley champions Kilsyth. Oatridge managed to win the first two ends to lead 3-0 but in the fifth end Kilsyth scored a 3 then a 2 to lead 4-7. In the last end Oatridge couldn't squeeze the third shot to peel and Kilsyth won by 6-7.

Other scores were Kilsyth Ladies 2-14 Keir, Doune 9-2 Livingston, Gargunnock 6-3 Dunblane, Sauchie & Bannockburn 6-3 Buchlyvie.

Stirlingshire’s two wins were enough to see off the competition to win the Bonspiel by 2 points. Borestone & Stirling were the biggest winners for the Province and so took the trophy. Well done.

By Joe Kincaid

A Craik-ing championship title for Forfar team After coming out of the Asham Under 21 Slam series on top, the stage was well and truly set for Team Craik to perform well at the Scottish Junior Curling Championships at Curl Aberdeen.

Playing well through the round robin, and heading straight to the final from a hotly contested page playoff with Team Gallacher, Craik's game was strong - it seemed there was no stopping the young men from Forfar.

After six ends it was two one to Gallacher, but a massive outturn hit and roll off his own stone to remove Gallacher’s counter at seven resulted in a big three for Craik. That was the turning point of the game with the final score Craik 5 – 3 Gallacher.

Skip James Craik spoke to us about the game: "I’m shocked. It’s unbelievable, it was such a close game we really had to pull everything out the bag to beat Hamish. The World’s is our ultimate target, we are so excited to head over there and do our best for Scotland"

Scottish Curling Junior Men's Champions 2020 - Niall Ryder, Blair Haswell, Mark Watt and James Craik () Scottish Curling Junior Women's Champions 2020 - Laura Watt, Inca Maguire, Robyn Munro, and Amy Bryce (Skip)

bryce is right at Scottish Curling Junior Championships After qualifying for the Semi Finals with five wins and two losses in the round robin, Team Bryce knew they had two big games to play if they were going to lift the trophy.

First up was the semi final against Team Davie, and with their round robin encounter ending in a 9-8 defeat for Team Bryce, it was time to dig deep and make every shot, sweep and slide count. Bryce played consistently, and while Davie achieved a 3 in the seventh end to stay in contention, Bryce's focus gave them an eye wateringly close 8-7 victory over Team Davie. This seemed to spark an idea in Team Bryce - maybe this would be their year...

Sunday afternoon brought the Final. Team Bryce vs Team Farmer. The game was tied after six, at four all. Farmer drew for two at the seventh, after Amy Bryce jammed an attempted double take out. In eight, Amy rolled out with her first when hitting to lie two, and was forced to blank. However, through hard work and perseverance the game was tied six all in the 9th end. A final score of 6 – 7 reflects this very closely matched battle between these two ladies teams.

After the final, skip Amy Bryce said: "I’ve spent three years getting silver, and it feels amazing to get gold. That’s my last year so it’s a fantastic finish. Our crucial 2 in the 9th end was the turning point; it could have been either team’s final but luckily we came out on top" Curling with a Delivery Stick One Curler’s Story

by Brenda Robertson

For myself, the stick was my way into the game. I was always fit and active, teaching physical education as well as participating in varied sports, despite suffering from early damaged right knee joint. I had tried curling years ago thinking it would be something I could do when the family grew up. When the time came the flexibility in the knee was long gone. I could lunge but I couldn't bend my knee enough to get back to my feet easily or safely in ice. Curling friends wrote me off with the excuse that I would have to use a cue. They were not interested in me in their clubs! Worse was to still to come. I had a total knee replacement! I definitely couldn't curl now without a dreaded cue. Fortunately I met a lovely lady through a totally different situation. She welcomed me in to her club and also mentioned coaching at the Border Ice Rink. There, one Saturday morning, I met Jim Buchanan, a stalwart of stick play, who himself had a walking impairment. Jim introduced me to my first stick, a blue "Extender", which he had brought over from Canada. I could buy it from him which I did and I was off on my curling career. Jim gave me the rudiments of the delivery and linking that together with my own background information on the mechanics of a sports delivery I developed my delivery. I practised and practised and played lead in my club. It was fantastic, and I met really nice people. Stick play is not all about heavy running take outs. Playing properly with a stick allows the player to put on a guard, draw to the button or any of the many different shots the skip may want. It also keeps curlers in the game for longer. Injuries, ageing and other disabilities are some of the reasons for possibly retiring from the game.

Regular Saturday coaching sessions saw me morph into a coaches 'helper'. Holding the broom , fielding stones and giving little general tips but all to 'sliders' no 'stickies'. Seamlessly I became a level one coach (my husband starts curling at this point). During one of my coaching updates I met an ever so helpful young lady from Scottish Curling, sadly her name escapes me, who helped refine my delivery so it could be easily related to the slide delivery. It all made sense. Subsequently I have played in the Scottish Pairs at Stranraer and at Greenacres in the Club Championship where not only was I one of the few women taking part, I was also using a stick, the only one! I did change my original stick into a brush/delivery head but changed it to a very light shaft. No running up and down or being at the wrong end for me. Over the years I have joined other clubs and taken home a fair share of the silver ware.

All in all since my first Saturday in 2006 with Jim, I have spent most Saturdays at the ice rink, looking, learning and teaching both slide delivery and stick delivery. Nowadays it's nearly all stick delivery. I have, I hope, helped many a friend convert into a very useful stick player and I have started quite a few Try Curlers who were unable to slide.

The Stickspiel allows all these players to come together to compete in a fun competition of their own. If we had spare places we would allow sliders to make up the numbers but they would have to deliver with a delivery stick. The day is finished off with a lavish Afternoon Tea and good craik. And all home before it gets dark!

As more Ice Rinks may depend on encouraging members to stay in curling for longer, members who might give up and less able newcomers alike should be moving on to curling with a stick delivery. It is still the same game CURLING! Just done differently! Daytime ice for veteran clubs? Stick competitions? Inter rink competitions? Who knows.

The Borders Ice Rink will soon be holding their 3rd Annual Stickspiel. The first two were very successful and, although I had to do a wee bit of arm twisting for the first competition in 2018 to persuade stick players that this was something they shouldn't miss, by 2019 the entry sheet filled itself. This year the moment we started curling after the Christmas break I was being asked if I was having a Stickspiel when and where could they enter!

We now have a perpetual trophy presented by a stick curler from a well known Borders curling family who has got a new enthusiasm for curling since moving on to stick play. He has also recently brought his wife, a former slide delivery player, along to stick coaching.

Perhaps other rinks could run a Stickspiel if they don't already have one on their Calendar. Any Bonspiel format will make for a good day and don't forget the food after!

Border Ice Rink 3rd Annual Stickspiel (playing for The Dave Prentice Trophy)

SATURDAY 7 MARCH 2020 at I.30pm followed by Afternoon Tea at 3.30pm Entry Fee £25 Afternoon Tea Guests £12.50 (please book)

Players must use a delivery stick preference will be given to entrants who normally play with a stick Entries: on Competition Notice Board at top of the stairs or by e-mail to brenda. [email protected] Bulletin Board

Scottish Curling 50 DAYS TO GO Adult Camp is coming in October 2020. It's only 50 days until we welcome the world to Glasgow for the WMCC2020! Keep an eye on our Check out when #TeamScotland will be website and social taking to the ice and sweep media for updates... up your tickets here!

Entry Date for the following competitions has been extended to Friday 14 Feburary!

Funspiel National Virtual Club Challenge Newcomers Trophy Scottish Curling Junior Mixed Doubles Championship Scottish Curling Mixed Championship Scottish Curling Pairs Championship

Entry forms available here

8-Ender Alert!

Many congratulations to the the latest recipients of an Eight Ender Award, the Pentland Ladies. A fantastic achievement, and the result of experience and skill! PENTLAND LADIES (Murrayfield Curling – 18 Dec 2019) Maureen McCulloch Sandra Renton Gill Fagan Hilary Hutton

scotland win big at four

This year it was the turn of the Welsh Curling Association to host the Four Nations with a welcome return to the Flower Bowl in Preston. Over the weekend seven trophies were contested for with Scotland competing for four of them. Scotland Men take on England Men for the Tom Ballantyne Trophy. Scotland Women compete against England Women for the Connie Miller Trophy. Both men and women take on Wales for The Big Bertha Trophy and Ireland for the Marshall Millennium Trophy. Scotland got off to a great start on the Friday night in their defense of the Tom Ballantyne Trophy against England Men gaining a five shot advantage after the first two games and this lead was built upon over the remaining four matches with Scotland running out victors with a final score of 44-32. The skips this year for the six matches were Graham Lindsay (2), Jim Cullen (2), Ian Young and Ian Keron. The medal winners with a score of plus 10 were Jim Cullen, James Carsewell, Christopher Cumin and David Hope.

Having lost out to England last year, Scotland’s Women won the Connie Miller Trophy with a final score of 15-13. It was all very close and in the first game skip Aileen Neilson with her team of Janine Wilson, Elaine Paterson and Liz Cullen overturned an early deficit to post a single shot victory and a similar result was achieved by skip Ann-Maree Davidson with her team of Jan Howard, Shelagh Fulton and Elspeth Johnston. After the Saturday sessions concluded a possible Grand Slam was on the cards. Scotland went into the final session against Wales with a slender three shot advantage, but Wales came back strongly to overturn the Scot’s advantage and win the match with a final tally of 29-23.

Ireland were up next, and Scotland went into the final session for The Marshall Millennium Trophy with a four shot advantage secured by the teams skipped by Ian Keron and Jan Howard. Despite a valiant effort by Ireland, the teams skipped by John McDermott and Michael McCreadie held on for an overall 27-22 win.

Thanks go to Adrian Meikle and the Welsh Curling Association as well as the Flower Bowl for making this such a successful and enjoyable tournament. Next year it is on to Ayr Ice Rink as it is the turn of Scotland to host. Report by Jim Cullen WANT TO BE PART OF THE NEXT YOUR CURLER?

Submit your story here by Tuesday 25 February to be included.

Curlers Urged Don’t Put Prostate Cancer Conversation On Ice

Scottish curlers are being encouraged to brush up on their awareness of the risk of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly-diagnosed cancer in men in Scotland with one in eight at risk of the disease, and now property group GSS Developments are backing a promotional push which they hope will encourage men not to put vital health conversations on ice.

It is estimated there are more than 10,000 active curlers in Scotland, and with a significant number being men aged 50 or over, they are a strong demographic match for those most likely at risk of prostate cancer.

Putting it in context, based on the one in eight statistic, for every ‘all male’ curling match that takes place, someone in that game is statistically likely to be affected by prostate cancer. One man dies from the disease every 45 minutes, which is the average time it takes to contest just three ends of curling.

Former European curling champions Team Mouat, led by skip , are supporting the campaign by displaying the Prostate Cancer UK logo on their tops, which they will wear at national and international tournaments.

GSS have also made a cash donation to the national cancer charity and have paid for advertising awareness signage at Curl at Murrayfield, which is home to 80 different curling clubs and 1,600 curlers. GSS is owned by the Stevenson family, the developers behind the new Grade A office development 2 Semple Street in Edinburgh and ABZ Business Park adjacent to Aberdeen Airport.

GSS founder George Stevenson, 74, was diagnosed with prostate cancer 13 years ago and it only came to light by chance because he had to undertake a medical for insurance purposes. He had no symptoms but required radical surgery and because the cancer was discovered in the early stages he has since been cancer-free.

He was later instrumental in gathering support from business colleagues to help transform a ward at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in to the UCAN Centre (Urological Cancer Charity) and he continues to help raise awareness of the condition.

Sadly, GSS have lost a valued staff member to the disease, while a close friend of director Paul Stevenson has also been treated.

Paul and brother and fellow director Tim, who both curl, spotted the opportunity to help develop greater awareness of the condition amongst part of the population most at risk.

Paul said: “We know from personal experience how devastating prostate cancer can be if not identified in the early stages. We were lucky in that our father had been undergoing a medical for insurance purposes and was completely unaware he was harbouring prostate cancer. He was showing no symptoms and was otherwise healthy, but the PSA marker threw up concerns and he was able to undergo potentially life-saving treatment.

“In the curling world, players tend to start at a young age, leave the sport for a while when they enter work or go off to university, but then many return to take it up again, typically in their 40s or 50s. This is the close to the age when men become more at risk of prostate cancer.

“It struck us that we had a very good platform on which we could encourage fellow male curlers to speak to their GP about the PSA blood test, which is a possible marker, and their risk to the disease.”

Bruce Mouat, the youngest skip to ever win a title, and 2018 European Champion said: “We are delighted to play our small part in raising awareness in our sport of the risks many men face from prostate cancer. We hope that by wearing the Prostate Cancer UK brand that the curling community will understand better the one in eight risk statistic, and more men will seek important health information.”

Bronwyn O’Riordan, Prostate Cancer UK Fundraising Manager in Scotland, was delighted to be invited along to see the newly installed signage at Curl Edinburgh, meet Bruce Mouat and receive the donation from GSS Developments.

Bronwyn said: “It’s fantastic to see another sport engaging with us, this is a great opportunity to raise awareness amongst curling members and fans. I hope that by learning more about the at- risk groups, including men over 50 and the 1 in 8 statistic, that Scottish curlers access the services of Prostate Cancer UK.

“Curl Edinburgh has our ‘Man of Men’ pin badges available and we’ll be sending health information cards through for club members. I’d be delighted to support any curling clubs or rinks who wish to get involved in the awareness and fundraising of Prostate Cancer UK. Thank you to Curl Edinburgh and GSS Developments for their support.” Asham Under 17 Slam, Forfar Indoor Sports, Sat 28 – Sun 29 Dec Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 December saw the fourth of the Asham under 17 slams taking place at Forfar Indoor Sports, where 16 familiar young teams in four groups enjoyed another weekend of competitive curling.

The Low Road final between Teams Jackson and Craik was tight game, with the scores tied after two ends at 2-2. Jackson pulled ahead with a 1 in the third and fourth ends and it seemed all over for Team Craik. The young team rallied and pulled back a 1 in the fifth, but with the sixth end giving Jackson a 1, the Low Road final was over, with a score of 5-3 to Team Jackson. Team Jahn finished third and Team Mitchell emerged fourth.

The High Road final was tense with both teams scoring 1 in alternating ends, and it really could have been either team’s game. Team Carson drew ahead of Team Foxglide in the fifth with a 1, and with another 1 in the sixth, it was all over with a final score of 4-2. Team Strawhorn ended in third and Chalmers in fourth after their game ended 10-1.

Full Report available here. The final Asham Under 17 Slam will take place in Perth this month.

Pathway Competition, Curl Edinburgh, Sat 28 – Sun 29 Dec The inaugural Pathway Competition was a very successful first attempt at a mixed doubles, mini continental cup training weekend.

Ice and conditions were great at Murrayfield and teams played with their new partners enthusiastically in all disciplines. Pairings of Bryce and Wilson, Whyte and Macdonald, Carson and Farmer, Kinnear and Davie, Gallacher and Dakers, Craik and Henderson matched well, and the mixed doubles trials allowed some new partnerships to be explored.

The athletes were then treated to an excellent address from British Lion David Denton on resilience and determination, which was very thought-provoking for the group and they also received up to date anti-doping education. Teams Carson and Whyte emerged leading points winners as we head to Aberdeen in March for the second leg of this new venture. Thanks is extended to all for their support and involvement in this new and exciting project.

Scottish Junior Club Challenge, Intu Braehead, Sat 4 – Sun 5 Jan Division 1 was a very close competition which saw the Stranraer teams emerge as victors after two days of great curling. There were four teams ranked on 11 points and they were separated by the number of ends won. Second place were Dumfries B and third place were Dumfries A. The nature of the competition sees two teams being relegated from Div 1 to Div 2, this time the relegated terms were Forfar A and Perth.

Division 2 provided a wider range of ability with Gogar Park remaining unbeaten and even managing to score an 8-ender in their last end against Hamilton on Sunday morning. They will be promoted as will Kinross, who finished in second place one win ahead of Ayr in third.

Full results available here. Asham U14 Slam, Stranraer Ice Rink, Sat 18 Jan The High Road final saw two rinks from either end of Scotland take on each other, Team Brewster from Aberdeen playing Team Sloan from Dumfries. Jackson Sloan and his rink started the final off with the hammer and taking a 1 in the first end. With another 1 in the second, the Doon Hamers were on form and a 4 in the third end meant it was all but over for Ethan and his rink. They came back with a 2 in the last end, giving the Slam win to Team Sloan from Dumfries. The Low Road final saw the rink from

Dumfries skipped by Stewart Kyle, playing

Team Warden from Forfar skipped by Anna. The game was much closer than the High Road final with Stewart and his rink with the hammer putting a 1 on the scoreboard in the first end, Anna had found the way in to the house taking a 3 in the second end, Stewart made it peels after three ends by getting a 2 in the third end, going in to the last end without the hammer Stewart and his rink kept their cool and stole a 1 and the Low Road final finished 4-3.

After all the results from the previous slams had been counted and checked it was Team Brewster from Aberdeen skipped by Ethan Brewster, 3rd Sam Lynch, 2nd Marc Lyon and playing lead Luke Perras and alternate Fraser Riddoch who were overall Asham U14 Slam Winners 2019/2020.

Full Report available here SCOTTISH CURLING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2020 - Preview Scotland's curlers begin the quest for domestic dominance on Monday 10 February as the Dewars Centre, Perth once against plays host to the Scottish Curling Championships. Eight men's teams and eight women's will fight for the right to represent their country at the upcoming World Curling Championships. These championships start the journey to the 2022 Winter Olympics and for the men offer the rare chance to represent their country on home ice as Glasgow hosts the World Men's Curling Championship 28 March – 5 April 2020. Two-time defending Scottish champions Team Mouat will be looking to complete the hat trick as play commences on Monday. They have been the best performing team on the this year and look in the same ominous form capturing their first title at the 2020 Perth Masters in January. The team have only ever lost one game at the Scottish Men's Championship in their current form and so are the team to beat. They were however beaten earlier this season in the European Playdowns as Scotland were represented excellently by Team Paterson. The team earned Scotland a bronze medal in that European outing and will be keen to add to their international medal haul come April. Skip of Team Paterson, Ross had the privilege of representing Scotland on home ice before, at the 2016 European Championships an experience that will drive him on in Perth. One of his teammates at that event was skip of last year's runners up - Glen Muirhead. He, along with his 2018 Olympic teammates, came so close to winning the European Playdowns in October and will be desperate to take that final step up the podium and win the national title.

Two other teams who have made waves on the World Curling Tour this season, who will be eyeing up a playoff spot in Perth are Team Bryce and Team Whyte. The former junior teammates now skip two teams who are amassing serious pedigree and experience on tour. Team Bryce - in their first year as a team - have mixed it with the best this year and will have no fear taking on their domestic rivals. Team Whyte have had stellar form making it to the playoffs in all ten events they have played in this year including taking two titles - one in Dumfries and one in Prague. Having missed the men's championship last year due to participation at the World Juniors, Ross and his squad will be relishing their chance to break through and take the top curling prize in Scotland.

Rounding out the field are Teams Carson, McNay and Young. Luke Carson has transitioned from the junior ranks with a fledgling team who have showed promise, with two members of the team representing Scotland at their first world championship at the world mixed curling championship, held in Aberdeen earlier in the season. Cammy McNay and Murray Young are comfortable with the underdog tag and will know that every dog has its day. Every game will be hard fought but The women's competition sees Sophie Jackson return to the scene of last year's remarkable national championship victory. The team’s valuable experience at the world championship in Denmark is sure to have made them hungrier than ever. Despite a difficult season on the World Curling Tour, they will know they have what it takes to beat every team in the field and if they make it to the final on Saturday, they will believe that they can make it two in a row. Sure to offer a stern challenge are last year's runners up - Team Muirhead. With a myriad of national and international medals, has led her new team to a much improved season after battling back from serious injury last year. After being a whisker away from a European Gold Medal in November, the team are brimming with confidence after winning the Perth Ladies International and defending the Continental Cup as part of Team Europe.

Team Wilson have gone from strength to strength this year as they have continued their transition to the World Curling Tour level. The addition of fourth stone thrower Rebecca Morrison has shown dividends with a semi-final in Finland followed by a run to the final in the Perth Ladies International. They will be keen to repeat that feat on their return to the Dewars Centre, of course hoping to flip that final result. Sophie Jackson is not the only current national champion in the field as the current Scottish Senior Women's Champions Team Kesley hope to roll back the years as they continue their preparations for the Senior Women's Championship at Hamilton later in February. Although they will play down their own chances, underestimate this experienced team at your peril.

The chasing pack consists of four teams ready to make some noise as they move through the junior ranks and into women's competition. Former Scottish junior champions Hailey Duff and Amy MacDonald have reunited and hope the combination's success repeats with new teammates Rachel Halliday and Layla Al-Saffar. Team Davie won last year's junior title and will look to bounce back from their playoff losses at this year's junior championship. Rachel Dakers will skip a team of junior curlers as she marks her first women's championship appearance. Finally, Team Farmer may have lost the recent Junior Women's final by the finest of margins but will be buoyed by their semi-final appearance at the Perth Ladies and relish testing themselves against a host of their peers and former national champions.

Both men's and women's teams will play a single round robin finishing on Thursday evening before a mini page playoff. This format will see the top two teams face-off in a playoff game with the winner proceeding to the final. The loser will then have another chance to make it to that final, competing in a semi-final against the third placed team. Both competitions will reach their climax on the biggest day of the Scottish Curling circuit: Scottish Championships Finals day on Saturday 15 February. The women’s final will take place at 11am ahead of the men’s final at 4pm. Tickets available here including options for a hot buffet lunch provided at the venue (must be booked before Wed 12 Feb at 1pm).

Our Official event programme is available here, and we’ll be keeping fans up to date with live line scores here, and regular posts on our social media channels.

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