Good show for region in British Curling list Athletes for season 2021/22 are announced
Perth and Kinross again featured heavily as British Curling announced their athletes for season 2021/22.
Fair City pair Robin Brydone and Duncan McFadzean, who play for Team Whyte, have been rewarded with increased support - moving from performance foundation level to podium potential.
Brydone, McFadzean, skip Ross Whyte and Euan Kyle powered up the world rankings in their first season on the senior circuit in 2019/20.
While the past year has been impacted by COVID-19, they showed excellent form domestically in reaching the final of every men’s event held in the National Curling Academy (NCA). Competing at the Olympic Games is the goal.
“To get rewarded for two seasons of being together and making good strides is brilliant,” said former Perth High student Brydone.
“But this is not the finish, only the beginning. We want to achieve more and be able to go to World Championships and Olympics.
“We have the chance now to train more and be supported financially. That helps massively in being able to commit more.
“The recognition lets you know that you are not wasting your time you are getting somewhere.
“We made the final of most competitions held in the National Curling Academy last year, although it would’ve been nice to win one.
“Team Mouat are the number one team at the moment and in prime spot to go to the Olympics. It would be nice to get closer to them and start to be a real challenge for them.”
On-ice training started up again last week and hopes are high that international competition will be possible in the coming months.
Brydone added: “We had seen each other a little through the break but to be back on ice and working together is always a good thing.
“We’ve all come back in better shape than when we left. Throwingability wise, usually you come back and the first week is a little ropey but everyone looks in a good spot.
“We’re all good friends, enjoy being around each other and enjoy training. As much as it is serious, we do like to enjoy ourselves.”
At the senior end of the women’s game, a squad system is being introduced involving the eight players who were categorised as podium and podium potential last season, along with Hailey Duff.
This is in a bid to maximise the chance of earning qualification for Team GB at next year’s Winter Olympics.
Former Perth Academy student and Guildtown’s Mili Smith has been named on the podium and podium potential list, as has Eve Muirhead.
Brydone is delighted that the Perthshire area is continuing to produce curlers who are competing at the top of the sport.
“It feels like we have a city and the ice rink behind us,” he added.
Auchterarder’s Mark Watt will skip his squad of Gregor Cannon, Blair Haswell and Gavin Barr at performance foundation level.
And constantly-improving Kinross skip Beth Farmer will be taking to the ice alongside Sophie Jackson, Kirsten Bousie and Emma Barr.
Holly Wilkie-Milne, from Perth, is part of performance foundation Team Henderson for the upcoming season. She will join forces with Fay Henderson, Katie McMillan and Lisa Davie.