THE Waterfront Junior Curling Club was delighted to welcome Gordon McIntyre, the world champion curling coach to its closing bonspiel and presentation of awards on Thursday 28 March. Gordon, coach of the Irish Senior Men's gold-medal winning squad at Tarnby, Denmark, last year was invited to be the club's special guest at this end-of-season event. The club also extended a very warm welcome to Andy McGilp, commercial manager at Sport Inverclyde.

Following the on-ice part of the event at the Waterfront Ice Rink, the latter part of the proceedings took place in the Elim Church Hall in Kelly Street. This was the eagerly awaited annual presentation of awards to the club's successful members. The new venue turned out to be a real revelation, proving just the right size and with the right atmosphere for the number of people involved. The club is very grateful to the Elim Church for the use of the facility and to church member Lynne Kane for organising the move. Club members, coaches and parents were complimented for the outstanding array of home baking assembled on groaning tables for early consumption by the hungry young players.

There followed a review of the club's curling year, highlighting the many successes and some disappointments. With increased involvement in u-14, u-17 and u-21 competitions, club members continue to make progress towards the top honours. For the very first time, two Inverclyde schools contested the Scottish Schools' Curling Championships.The entrants were Clydeview Academy and Inverclyde Academy with the former qualifying to represent the area at the finals in Edinburgh. A total of 24 juniors applied to take part in the RCCC Skills Awards programme, including three attempting the gold (highest) category for the first time. The coaches were a little apprehensive at this plunge into the unknown but Inverclyde people are made of sterner stuff and all three passed with a mark or two to spare. The golden guys are, Cameron Clark, Angus Shearer and Brandon McInnes. Over the past four years, the club has achieved a total of 81 awards, 19 of those in the metallic (bronze, silver and gold) categories.

In parallel with its curling endeavours, the club continued with the now well-known innovative fundraising events: coffee 'n curl, family funspiel and curl-a-tonne, etc. and have now raised a staggering sum in excess of �3,500 in the last eighteen months, enhancing its image as a caring/sharing club. All money raised went to local and national good causes. Three club members are currently engaged on the RCCC Talent Pathway with a further five applications currently being scrutinised for this year.

Gordon, resplendent in his green blazer and with his gold medal safely nailed to the table, was invited to make the presentations to this year's very deserving club members. He performed this task with grace and good humour before taking the opportunity to address the gathering in his own inimitable style.

He started by complimenting the WJCC on its structure and organisation, saying: "The Waterfront Junior Curling Club is the envy of many other junior clubs, especially in the West of Scotland. Its involvement in u-14, u-17 and u-21 Slam competitions mark it out as an ambitious young club with real success only just around the corner". He then went on to outline his early curling career, his connection with junior curling at Greenacres Curling Rink and his eventual coaching career particularly with the Irish Curling Association. He coached both the men's and women's squads over many years but his real success came in the World Senior Men's championships in 2012. With a team including David Whyte from Gourock Curling Club, he took the curling world by total surprise as it climbed through the round robin stages, beating teams from established curling nations until it then defeated Norway in the semi-final and overcoming no less a team than Canada in the final. Truly the Irish eyes were smiling as they sat on top of the curling world.

Gordon went on to offer words of encouragement to the awe-struck young curlers listening attentively to his every word and inspiring them to work and practice hard for the success for which they were striving so diligently. All of them and their coaches and parents are sure to take his words to heart to prepare them for the commencement of the new curling season in September.

Jim Stables, vice-chairman of WJCC, thanked Gordon for agreeing to be its special guest this year and for giving of his valuable time to come and speak to the members. He asked him to accept a little gift from the club, presented by secretary/organiser Lesley Shearer, in appreciation of his time with us. Jim went on to pay tribute to the many coaches, parents, grandparents and helpers without whom the club simply would not function. He had a special word of gratitude for the organisations and clubs which had helped with funding this year: Grants for Voluntary Organisations, Gourock CC, Gourock Ladies CC, Port Glasgow CC and Greenock Ladies CC. He also remarked on the contribution made by Inverclyde Leisure in providing free or reduced-cost ice for the fundraising events and for the excellent quality of the curling ice throughout the season.

This season's principal award winners were: Best Newcomer - James Scott Most Improved Player - Susan Smith Best Team Player - Cameron McDonald Curling Personality of the Year - Katie Purves Points Winner - George Smith Skip Adults v Juniors Match - Rhona Marshall Skip In-Club League - Euan Polea Junior Curler of the Year - Fraser Clark Star of the Future - Angus Shearer Special Recognition - The combined u-12 and u-14 Slam teams.

In addition no less than six juniors had perfect attendance through the season.