ABOUT ME

I am truly passionate about curling, enjoy playing curling and want to see it survive through these tough times.

This COVID crisis has been tough for eveyone and as an ice rink owner I perhaps know as well as anyone the impact it has had on Curling and will continue to have for years to come. Recognising the challenges curling will face I want to ensure I play my part to encourage all curlers to pull together to help our great sport survive and flourish.

Rather than shout from outside I believe it is important I roll up my sleeves and help from within using the knowledge and experience I have built up over the past decades through my business and curling careers.

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My recent involvement as SIRA Chairman, to help secure desperatly needed grant funding from Scottish Government for Scottish Ice Rinks to help them survive and be in a position to re-open next season, has only served to increase my commitment and drive to take the positives out of a negative situation and look to the future rather than dwell on the past.

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I believe the elite side of curling is being well looked after, and in many aspects being taken care of by British Curling and others, and it is now time to devote our energies to grass route curling to help strengthen curling clubs, encourage more new curlers of all ages on to the ice and bring back the social aspects of the game. In so doing we can develop competitions to enspire curlers of all levels to keep progressing, supporting local ice rinks and compete around the country.

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We have a job on our hands to raise the profile of curling to enourage more people into the sport, attract high profile sponsorship partners, enjoy more TV, online and press coverage. What greater opportunity than an Olympic year with terrific teams representing us. I am up for the challenge !!

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I believe open, frank and honest communication is key to most things in life and give a commitment to exactly that.

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On a personal note I like to think I am a family man being married to Sandra my long suffering wife of more than 35 years. We have 3 grown up children, now non-dependent (thankfully),  all of whom curl, 2 terrific energetic grandkids and 2 working cocker spaniels.

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I am honoured to represent Scottish curlers as RCCC President and I will devote my time, commitment and enthusiasm with the common aim of growing, developing and administering Curling in Scotland. I relish the opportunity to be an ambassador of the sport to help attract investment and support to ensure the sport of Curling achieves its ambitions, visions and goals.

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Finally we all know the challenges curling & ice rinks are currently facing through the cost of living crisis and the utility rate increase. These are real and significant and we will need everyone to pull together to help us get through the season and beyond.