Inclusive Curling Taster Sessions Held In Edinburgh

As part of Parasport’s Tokyo 2020 Games-time activation, Winter Paralympic Games medallist Aileen Neilson made her way to Edinburgh to inspire young curlers with a special taster session in the sport.

According to the Ealing Times, wheelchair curling star Neilson – a three-time World Championship medallist and the mixed competition bronze medal holder at Sochi 2014 – paid Curl Edinburgh a visit to showcase the sport to the next generation of talent.

Jo Parker, 51, took to the ice for the first time at the event and was so impressed with it that she decided then and there to sign up with a curling club.

She said: “It’s a sport I’ve always followed – I didn’t realise there are such opportunities for disabled people, so I was really happy to find out I did have the chance to take part.

“Aileen’s an absolute legend, so it’s been an absolute privilege to get a one-on-one coaching session with her. It’s a lot harder than it looks when you’re watching it on TV – but I like to give everything a try. If you don’t try, you might not know if you’re fantastic at something, so give it a go!”

Wheelchair curling can be played by people with a wide range of different disabilities, whether they use their wheelchair for daily living or simply for sport.

All that’s required is coordination to hold a delivery stick and sufficient strength to push the granite stone along the ice. The only difference between wheelchair curling and regular curling is that the stones are thrown from a stationary wheelchair and there’s no sweeping involved.

 

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