Rotary World Championship Event
Ayr have qualified for Washington in April 2012!
Latest Updates from Euan Lawrence
After the Scottish Championships in February 2011 it emerged that Ayr have qualified for the 2012 World Championship. Ayr were runners-up in 2010 and were due to playoff for the last qualifying place in the Worlds. However the Rotary Club of Perth won the Scottish in 2010 and 2011, meaning that both runners-up will go to Washington.
This is a tremendous achievement for Ayr and congratulations go to the 2010 rink of Euan Lawrence (skip), Geoff Barber, Ronnie Wilson and Alistair Tyre. It is hoped that these players will be able to go, however a maximum of two substitutes are allowed if required.
The Scottish Rotary Curling Championships for the Ram's Head Trophy
Report by Alex Thomson
The Scottish Rotary Curling Championship competition at present is a competition in which all Scottish rotary clubs can participate. There are 4 regions where the play downs are held and the winners of each region go forward to the finals in Perth. The winners are presented with the Ram's Head Trophy. Some 44 clubs participated in the competition this year but over 80 clubs have participated in the past.
The winners are invited to participate in the Rotary World Championship Event which is held every 2 years alternating between the participating countries viz. Scotland, Canada and U.S.A. Runners-up from the current year and the previous year, play off for another place in the World Chamoinships.
In June 1972, Rotary International gave approval for the formation of the International Curling Fellowship of Rotarians. Aubrey Legge of Montreal, Founder and first President of the I.Cur.F.R., spearheaded the formation of the fellowship by obtaining the support of at least 3 countries, as was required by Rotary International. The three original member countries were Scotland, Canada and the United States. Sweden participated in 1990 but has not continued its support. In 1994 England entered with a team from Berwick-upon-Tweed and continues to this date. Jack MacKimmie, of Lachute Club, Quebec donated a trophy, the "Silver Bell" in 1975. Along with coveted Gold and Silver medals, it is still the winners prize. With the ever expanding interest in curling, the I.Cur.F.R. and each of us who enjoy this special fellowship, should make every effort to encourage the spread of participation in the Rotary World Curling Championship to other countries.
In 1996 Peterborough Club, Canada introduced a Friendship bonspiel comprising Rotarians who had played in or had hosted previous World Championships so that friendships created could continue to develop through Rotary Curling. Two of our members, namely John Young and Alex Thomson are holders of the Winners Gold. They were members of the Loudoun Club winning team in 2000 when it was held at Niagara Falls, Canada. In 2008 a team representing Ayr club were Runners Up in the Friendship event in Brantford, Ontario. Three members of the club namely John Young, Ronnie Wilson and Alex Thomson hold Silver medals for that event. In 2010 Ayr Club won the Friendship Competition which was held at Perth, Scotland and the worthy Gold Medal holders are John Young, Euan Lawrence, Ronnie Wilson and Jim Nelson. It is hoped that Ayr Club will have a team participating in the World Championship and a team participating in the Friendship Tournament to be held in Washington, U.S.A. in April 2012.
John Young present the prizes at Perth 22 Feb 2011
The Jewel Curling Trophy 22 February 2011
On the second day of the Scottish Championships, another competition is held to encourage curlers to come along and support the main competition, whilst at the same time giving people a chance to play.
Ayr sent two rinks this year, neither winning the trophy, but all players enjoying a day of great Rotarian fellowship.
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| Perth is a top class facility, with excellent ice | "Where is my pint?" |
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| Brian & Alex in good mood | Euan's strict "no drink policy" for his rink has failed again |