HISTORY OF
INTERNATIONAL CURLING FELLOWSHIP OF ROTARIANS
The International Curling Fellowship of Rotarians was formed by Rotarians who had a love for the sport of curling. Curling’s inclusion into the Olympics has made it a much more recognized sport worldwide.
CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
Although it is not known exactly where curling began, the term curling was first recorded in Scotland. Indications are that the sport developed around Perth, Scotland and spread out from there. The original stones used were uneven and not rounded. Uniformity of stones came around 1839. Today all stones are made to very detailed specifications, from granite obtained from the island, Ailsa Craig off the west coast of Scotland.
The Curling Fellowship of Rotarians received it’s status from R.I. 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. The tour now involves 22 Rotarians who are home hosted during the 3 week curling tour.
The individuals that developed the Curling tour were Aubrey Legge a P.D.G from Montreal and Bob MacKintosh of Scotland
In 1972 Aubrey Legge turned his efforts to having a curling fellowship approved by R.I. Within two months he had the backing of District Governors in Canada, Scotland, U.S.A., and Sweden. This was followed by a formal application to R.I. In May of 1972 the International Curling Fellowship of Rotarians was recognized.
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 first competition took place in Lachute, Quebec with teams from Scotland, Canada and the U.S.A., and being won by a team from Montreal. Since then the championship has been won by Canada, Scotland and the U.S.A. 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.
Scotland and the USA are each allowed 3 teams in the championship. Canada is allowed 4 teams. England is allowed 1 team. Those spots are hotly contested by many Rotary clubs.
Besides Canada, the U.S.A., and Scotland, Sweden sent a team to compete in 1990. Since 1994 a team from Berwick-Upon-Tweed representing England has entered the championship.
In 1996, Peterborough, Canada introduced a friendship event comprising of Rotarians who had played in or had hosted previous world championships, so that Rotary friendships created could continue to grow.
The last championship was held in Dumfries Scotland in April 2022. The 2024 event is scheduled to be held in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada in April 2024. The curling competition involves a round robin with two games per day. At the conclusion of the round robin the top teams compete in playoffs.
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 week also includes the Annual General Meeting of the Fellowship.
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.
CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
Although it is not known exactly where curling began, the term curling was first recorded in Scotland. Indications are that the sport developed around Perth, Scotland and spread out from there. The original stones used were uneven and not rounded. Uniformity of stones came around 1839. Today all stones are made to very detailed specifications, from granite obtained from the island, Ailsa Craig off the west coast of Scotland.
The Curling Fellowship of Rotarians received it’s status from R.I. 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. The tour now involves 22 Rotarians who are home hosted during the 3 week curling tour.
The individuals that developed the Curling tour were Aubrey Legge a P.D.G from Montreal and Bob MacKintosh of Scotland
In 1972 Aubrey Legge turned his efforts to having a curling fellowship approved by R.I. Within two months he had the backing of District Governors in Canada, Scotland, U.S.A., and Sweden. This was followed by a formal application to R.I. In May of 1972 the International Curling Fellowship of Rotarians was recognized.
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 first competition took place in Lachute, Quebec with teams from Scotland, Canada and the U.S.A., and being won by a team from Montreal. Since then the championship has been won by Canada, Scotland and the U.S.A. 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.
Scotland and the USA are each allowed 3 teams in the championship. Canada is allowed 4 teams. England is allowed 1 team. Those spots are hotly contested by many Rotary clubs.
Besides Canada, the U.S.A., and Scotland, Sweden sent a team to compete in 1990. Since 1994 a team from Berwick-Upon-Tweed representing England has entered the championship.
In 1996, Peterborough, Canada introduced a friendship event comprising of Rotarians who had played in or had hosted previous world championships, so that Rotary friendships created could continue to grow.
The last championship was held in Dumfries Scotland in April 2022. The 2024 event is scheduled to be held in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada in April 2024. The curling competition involves a round robin with two games per day. At the conclusion of the round robin the top teams compete in playoffs.
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 week also includes the Annual General Meeting of the Fellowship.
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.
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Winning Club, Country, and Venue:
2022 Rotary Club of Grande Prairie Sunrise, Canada - Dumfries, Scotland 2020 No Competition 2018 Rotary Club of Grande Prairie Sunrise, Canada - Hamilton, Scotland 2016 Rotary Club of Niagara Falls Sunrise, Canada - Grande Prairie, Alberta Canada 2014 Rotary Club of Stettler, Canada - Aberdeen, Scotland 2012 Rotary Club of Spruce Grove, Canada - Laurel, MD, USA 2010 Rotary Club of Stettler, Canada - Perth, Scotland, UK 2008 Rotary Club of Madison, USA - Brantford, Canada 2006 Rotary Club of Oshawa, Canada - Lockerbie, Scotland, UK 2004 Rotary Club of Peterbourgh, Canada - Duluth, MN, USA 2002 Rotary Club of Elkridge, USA - Edinburgh, Scotland, UK 2000 Rotary Club of Loudon, Scotland - Niagra Falls, Canada 1998 Rotary Club of Perth St.Johns, Scotland - Forfar, Scotland, UK 1996 Rotary Club of Simcoe, Canada - Peterbourgh, Canada 1994 Rotary Club of Simcoe, Canada - Ayr, Scotland, UK 1992 Rotary Club of Niagra Falls, Canada - Utica, NY, USA 1990 Rotary Club of Forfar, Scotland - Kinross, Scotland, UK 1988 Rotary Club of Kinross, Scotland - Kitchner-Waterloo, Canada 1986 Rotary Club of Hamilton, Scotland - Hamilton, Scotland, UK 1984 Rotary Club of Orangeville, Canada - Utica, NY, USA 1882 Rotary Club of Simcoe, Canada - Perth, Scotland, UK 1980 Rotary Club of St.Catherines, Canada - Niagra Falls, Canada 1978 Rotary Club of Perth, Scotland - Perth, Scotland, UK 1976 Rotary Club of Perth, Scotland - Montreal Westward, Canada 1974 Rotary Club of Montreal Westward, Canada - Perth, Scotland, UK 1972 Rotary Club of Westmount, Canada - Lachute, Canada |
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