New Age Kurling: Seaford Kurlers

Seaford Kurlers was formed about a year ago with Lottery Funding and is part of ESDA's Seaford Committee. What is New Age Kurling you may ask?

Based on the ice version, it uses a ‘stone' made with resin and underneath there are three large ball bearings. The stone is sent down the side of a badminton court to a target at the far end. It can be played solo, in pairs or three up. I first saw an article in Aware showing the Lewes DELTA Group and it seemed a way to bring disabled people into a sport on equal terms with non-disabled people.

Our club is roughly divided between disabled and non-disabled people. It's great to see everyone mixing on the lanes and the noise and banter are terrific.

The very severe winter did not stop our Seaford Kurlers group from meeting and playing every Tuesday at the Downs Leisure Centre.
The social side of our club kicked off with a visit to the Brighton Centre for the Brighton Ice Show. Thanks to ESDA coaches, we were able to go and we all had an extremely enjoyable evening.
We did however have to postpone our Kurling match between the DREAMS club at Littlehampton until 17th January 2011. These matches occur about twice a year and so far we have been the proud winners of the competition and have walked away with the cup. Who wins the cup is secondary to the great atmosphere that exists between the two clubs. We all, always have a great time. Again ESDA coaches did us proud. Without them our disabled players would not have been able to get there.
In November 2010 we began an in-house Knockout competition. This came to its final at the start of the year. We were not able to present any awards as we had to obtain permission from Seaford Town Council to be able to use the town's coat of arms in the centre of any shield or awards that we might like to have for the winners and runners up. By the time
permission was given we had almost
forgotten the contest. Aford Awards did us proud and the winners get to keep the large shield for the year but the winners and runners up each received personal keepsakes. The winners were Keith Hylands and Bill Braddock and the runners up were Heather Walters and Win Day.  Congratulations to them all.

For the second year running, the Seahaven Lionesses contacted us to ask
if we could referee their annual kurling
competition. All the Lions/Lionesses groups in the area challenge each other to a sporting match. The Seahaven one chooses kurling as we are local and known to some of their members.  We did the honours again this year on Saturday 2nd April at 7.00pm at the Downs Leisure Centre.The evening was very enjoyable.
For the third year running the Seaford Youth Forum challenged the Seaford
Seniors' Forum to a kurling match. The kurlers that took part on the 14th April were also forum members. Again the Downs Leisure Centre were able to let us book a room.  The  two previous years matches had resulted in a victory for the Youth Forum. This year we turned the tables on them and we won the evening. Everyone that took part had a really fun time. This contact between the two age groups shows the the young ‘uns and the old ‘uns can certainly enjoy each others company. We have had to replace some of our kurling equipment as the club has grown and fair wear and tear takes its toll.

We meet every Tuesday between 2pm and 4pm at the Downs Leisure Centre. We do not have a membership fee. You just turn up and pay £2.50 for the two hour meeting. Why not join us?

Contact      June Wood      01323 895376 for further details