Wheelchair athletes will get their first opportunity to sample curling’s most glamorous environment this week when they take part in the Grand Slam of Curling (GSOC) Invitational in Ontario (September 24-28).
With GSOC events having long been the most lucrative on the global circuit, the new competition represents recognition of the need to be fully inclusive with the qualifying rounds contested at the KW Granite Curling Club in Waterloo, before they move to the Western Fair Sports Centre in London for the finals.
For British Curling’s leading wheelchair athletes, it is a chance to test themselves against the best in the world and they are drawing confidence from the unprecedented success of their compatriots which saw Team Mouat win four of last year’s five men’s Grand Slam events, while fellow Scots Team Whyte took the other one which they are defending this week at the AMJ Masters.
“We train alongside Teams Mouat and Whyte here at the National Curling Academy, so we know what the Slams are all about,” said Austin McKenzie, who will line up alongside Karen Aspey, Jo Butterfield, Hugh Nibloe, Gary Smith and Stewart Pimblett in the British team.
“Success inspires success and seeing what our teams have done on the Olympic programme, making history at the Slams last season really makes us proud to be fellow British Curling programme athletes and also keen to make our own mark in Canada.
“To now get the chance to brush shoulders with the best teams in the world in the toughest of events on the circuit outside of the major championships is really exciting. “
McKenzie’s involvement is a demonstration of how quickly things can happen within the wheelchair game, the 43-year-old from East Kilbride having been introduced to the sport two years ago.
“It is great to be included in this historic first and we hope it will be the first of many,” he said.
“It means a lot to me personally to be included in this Wheelchair Invitational and it is great for us to be involved in a truly inclusive event which helps give more recognition to our sport.
“We have seen how much profile the Grand Slams have brought to the game and I hope this gives us the same opportunity to really ramp up the profile of wheelchair curling and sprinkle some of that Grand Slam star dust on some of our players too. 
“I am obviously an example of someone taking up wheelchair curling very recently.
“I went to a come and try event just a few years ago and I took part in my first ever World Champs in March and I am now in the GB squad hoping that I might get selected for the team going to the Paralympics in Milan Cortina next year.
“It is also fair to say that a few years ago I didn’t even know what a Grand Slam was in curling, but I have been gripped by them since I became involved in the game and also seeing our own Mouat and Whyte dominate those events last season.
“My journey is a perfect example of how others need to get involved and give wheelchair curling a try as you never know where this sport may take you and it is also a really addictive game to watch.”
The competition will also see the first ever English representation at a GSOC event, with Wigan’s Aspey and Newcastle’s Pimblett having forced their way into contention for a place at this season’s Paralympics with their performances for England in both the team and mixed doubles events at this year’s World Championships.
“Getting this opportunity to be involved in this first ever event of this kind, with the profile that surrounds the Slams, will be great preparation for what is to come for those selected for Milan Cortina,” said Aspey, who is proud to be flying the flag. 
”It is very exciting to be making my first overseas trip in a GB team and it will also be my first time in Canada, so a lot of firsts for me and I feel a lot of adrenalin heading into this particular event with all of the coverage and interest the Slams attract from around the world.”
The wheelchair team will be part of the largest ever British Curling contingent to attend a Grand Slam of Curling event, with defending champs Team Whyte and world champions Team Mouat taking part in the men’s competition, while Team Waddell take part in the Tier 2 event and Teams Morrison and Henderson contest the women’s Tier 2 tournament.
Team Great Britain (in alphabetical order)
Karen Aspey
Jo Butterfield
Austin McKenzie
Hugh Nibloe
Stewart Pimblett
Gary Smith
Sheila Swan (Head Coach)
Niall Ryder (Team Coach)
Images: British Curling / PPA
