Curling for Ken Kay

A TOUCH of Canada has rolled into the Ballarat Badminton Association’s offerings on ball bearings.

Having received a $5000 Sporting Clubs Grant from the State government, iceless curling is now permanently available to play at the Ken Kay Ballarat Badminton Stadium.

With four sets of iceless stones, directly shipped from Canada within four days, Ballarat Badminton Association’s President of 17 years, Neil Henderson said the 70-minute, 10-end games are very inclusive.

“It’s a great game for social clubs and it’s an all abilities sport,” he said. “So far Probus and McCallum have been playing.

“We’ve only been running it publicly on Wednesdays at two o’clock, but there’s an option there for everyone.

“We have push sticks if you’re in a wheelchair. It’s cheap, it’s fun and it’s exciting.”

Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison was “thrilled” to support the association to increase community participation in sport.

“Ballarat loves sport, and now we’ve got a new offering,” she said. “Curling is a huge sport in Canada that can be played on ice, or for Ballarat, indoors here.

“The newest people to the game can have a go, it doesn’t require a high level of fitness, you can sit and curl, stand and curl and it’s a great way to get to know people as you swap end to end, similar to lawn bowls.”