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Caithness elected President of World Curling Federation

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UK Sport 08 April 2010

The World Curling Federation (WCF) today elected Kate Caithness from Scotland as its new President. Caithness, who has been serving as Vice-President since 2006, gathered more votes than Les Harrison who was seeking re-election at the annual general meeting of the Federation in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. She will be the first ever female President of the WCF.

Kate Caithness, previously WCF Vice President, has been involved with the sport of curling since the early 1980s. She took on international responsibilities within the WCF after being President of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club Ladies Branch (1997-1998). Since 2000 she has been the driving force behind the World Curling Federation’s development of Wheelchair Curling and was instrumental in obtaining the admission of the sport into the Paralympic Winter Games programme in Turin in 2006.

Switzerland’s Patrick Huerlimann was appointed Vice-President, taking the role that Caithness has vacated. Canadian, Les Harrison, steps down as President.
 

“I’m absolutely delighted I’m really thrilled” said Caithness after her election. “I think it gives us a chance to move forward with the Federation. Four years mark the start of a new Olympic quadrennial. I believe there are exciting times ahead especially following the Olympics and Paralympics. They were such a huge success and I think that we have a product here that’s ready to explode on the world.”

“First and foremost the most essential target problem for me would be make sure that we can find ice to curl on. Especially in Eastern Europe and Asia and new countries that are joining the federation and coming on board with the sport. They are keen and very motivated to make things happen but have nowhere to let players or potential curlers play. So development of facilities is a key target, combined with junior development. This is the future of our federation.”
“It’s an exciting time ahead and I’ve got an excellent board who’ve been elected by our member associations today. We have a great team to move ahead.”

“I would like to thank Les Harrison for all the time he has put into the development of the sport during his time as a board member and president of the WCF.”

Working with National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs), UK Sport seeks to ensure that the UK plays a key role in the development and governance of international sport by supporting NGBs in their long-term strategies aimed at building relationships with International Federations (IFs).

Ben Calveley, UK Sport Head of International Relations welcomed the appointment stating: “I am delighted that Kate has secured such a prestigious position within the WCF and Olympic sport more broadly. This achievement is testament to Kate’s dedication to her sport and to the Royal Caledonian Curling Club who have supported her so well. The UK has a role to play at the highest level in international sport and Kate is an inspiration to others who wish to serve their sport in the years ahead”

Colin Grahamslaw, Chief Executive of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club (RCCC) added; “This is a great achievement for Kate and also a great honour for the RCCC and the UK. I must sincerely congratulate Kate on her election success, I am sure her knowledge, dedication and commitment will take our sport forward and we look forward to working with her in the years ahead”

 

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