come and try curling at Braehead

Feb 24 2010 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

FIRST-TIME curlers can have a go at the sport at the same venue used by the Great Britain Ladies team before they headed off to the Winter Olympics in Canada.

Braehead Curling Rink played host to the world’s top curlers last month in an international competition.

Among those involved were the GB Ladies team which is now competing at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Now bosses at the Braehead rink are offering beginners the chance to try out the game in a ‘Saturday Sweep’ coaching session on Saturday, February 27, between 10am and noon.

Braehead leisure manager Bruce Harley said: “This is a great opportunity to try out a very popular sport which is suitable for any age or ability.

“You don’t need to have played the game before to come along as the beginners will get expert coaching.

“Who knows, we might even find an Olympic curling star of the future among the beginners?

“It’s best to wear loose, warm, comfortable clothing. Jeans aren’t suitable as they restrict movement. Trainers are the ideal footwear.”

Anyone interested in joining the ‘Saturday Sweep’ curling beginners class, which costs £5, should contact Braehead’s curling development officer on 0141 886 4611 or just turn up at the ice rink on Saturday morning.

In other news, season 2009/10 has been a very successful one for the Braehead Ladies Curling Club members.

Braehead has played Stirling, Waterfront and Greenacres in the West section, completing nine games in all.

And the Renfrew team has won seven of those games, gaining 15 points to lead in the West section and book a place in the finals in Kirkcaldy on Tuesday, March 16.

The three teams who will represent Braehead are Kirsty Letton, Liz Paul, Jane Paterson and Pat Orr; Jean McMaster, Sheila Fleming, Margaret Withycombe and Julie Briggs; and Nanette Davidson, Judith Jackson, Sheila Black and Meta Eccleston.

In the semi-finals at 10.30am, Braehead will play Lockerbie, while Forfar will meet Kirkcaldy.

The finals will be played at 2.15pm.