US Trials in Green Bay WI June 2-5

A National Wheelchair Curling Camp is being held at the Green Bay (WI) Curling Club from June 2-5 with the goal of increasing the athlete pool and improving medal prospects at future World Championships and Paralympic Winter Games.

The camp schedule is as follows: Thursday, June 2: Noon - 6 PM Friday, June 3: 9 AM – 5 PM Saturday, June 4: 9 AM – 8 PM Sunday, June 5: 9 AM – Noon

[Photo - MAX GERSH | RRSTAR.COM]

One of the athletes attending will be Tim Kelly, a resident of Rockford IL who has been travelling to Green Bay to learn from National Coach Steve Brown, and also play on an able-bodied league team. Tom was recently profiled in the Rockford Register Star. [read]

Thank you

I would like to thank Al Whittier and those involved in the wheelchair curling development program based at the Lennoxville CC in Quebec for their donation in support of the work that goes into producing this blog and the wheelchaircurling.com website.

Michael McCreadie back in Scotland's plans for 2014

When Michael McCreadie stepped down as British and Scottish skip after the team's disappointing run of performances up to and including the Vancouver Paralympics, he said he hoped to rejoin the program at a later date.

McCreadie continued to compete with some success on domestic teams skipped by partner Aileen Neilson, and the promise of significant changes to the national team's approach to the game under new National Coach Tony Zummack, prompted him to apply to the 2011-2012 Wheelchair Performance Program.

Michael McCreadie at the 2009 Worlds

The eight athletes selected are Aileen Neilson, Tom Killin, Angie Malone and Gregor Ewan from the 2011 Worlds silver medal team, Michael McCreadie, and newcomers Jim Gault, Ian Donaldson and Gill Keith.

2011 World's silver medallist Michael McKenzie missed out but will have an opportunity, along with the other unsuccessful applicants, to be considered for the Scottish Wheelchair Curling Association's 'Spokes' Development Program.

The talent identification and development effort promises to be an on-going process, providing incentives not only to current members to develop their skills, but to those who may yet challenge for a place on the Sochi Paralympics team in 2014.

Debbie Earle nominated Nova Scotia Female Curler of the Year

Debbie Earle, lead on Team Nova Scotia, was nominated for Female Athlete of the Year at the  Annual Awards banquet of the Nova Scotia Curling Association.

Debbie was voted All Star lead at the 2011 TSX National Wheelchair Curling Championships in Edmonton where she helped her team to a bronze medal, her Province's first podium appearance.

Debbie, who like Team Canada 2nd Ina Forrest was recruited while shopping, has just completed her second year of curling and gives most of the credit to her team mates who worked with her to develop her skills and commitment to the game. She balances work, curling, and raising a teenage daughter

CurlBC names Gary Cormack disabled athlete of the year

Gary Cormack, curling out of the Marpole CC has won CurlBC's annual award for "Athlete With A Disability." He skipped Team BC to a 4th place finish at the 2011 National Championships in Edmonton, and will be recognised at the AGM on June 11th.

Team Canada to get their banner

Team Canada will receive their World Championship banner during a presentation at the CurlBC AGM at the Richmond CC, Saturday June 11.

Canada's national team coach Joe Rea will be on hand to give brief remarks and answer questions at 11.45am.

Four of the five members of the team plus the coach live in BC.

A full schedule of the day's events, which will also be available online via webcast, can be found HERE.