The International Curling Fellowship Of Rotarians 24th World Championship is being held in Hamilton, Scotland April 6-13. Our own Brian Cowan leaves on April 4th to participate as a member of the Guelph-Wellington Rotary curling team.
The Curling Fellowship of Rotarians received its status from Rotary International in 1972, but it’s origin came out of a group of Rotarians representative of Scotland, Canada and the U.S.A. that had organized a Rotary curling tour to Scotland in 1956. In 1957 Rotarians from Scotland returned to curl in Canada, (Quebec and Ontario) and in the U.S.A., in the area of Utica and Schenectady, in New York. The U.S.A withdrew from the curling tour after the 1957 trip. Since 1958 the curling tour has taken place every two years with Scotland and Canada alternating as hosts. Canada is allowed 4 teams, and those spots are hotly contested by many Rotary clubs.
The objects of the Curling Fellowship are to promote international fellowship between curling Rotarians and to hold every two years a curling competition to determine the champion of the Curling Fellowship. The winner receives the coveted silver bell with a Rotary Wheel on top.
The winners of the first and second place team receive gold and silver medals. The third place team receives a bronze medal. 11 teams compete in the championship event and up to 16 teams in the friendship event. The curling competition involves a round robin with two games per day. At the conclusion of the round robin the top 4 teams compete in a semi final and a final. Aside from the curling, the fellowship events include an opening reception, home hospitality, attendance at a Rotary meeting and finally the closing banquet with presentation of trophy and awards.
The many traditions and customs associated with the sport of curling, including its camaraderie fit like a hand in a glove with Rotary fellowship. The 150 plus Rotarians and spouses look forward to a great week of fellowship at the curling championships.