New Age Kurling is not so much ‘new’ as firmly established in Sittingbourne – and members of retirement groups such as SIARA and KEMARA want every village in Swale involved. Bel Austin, below, found out more...

Nobody is keener to promote the sport locally than 79-year-old Ivy Ridley.

“It’s a sport for everyone, all ages and abilities, a sort of indoor version of ice curling and bowls – competitive but loads of fun,” she said.

Ivy, of Langley Road, Milton, started playing in 2004 when it was introduced by Swale council’s development team. Initially she was looking for an interest after beating breast cancer.

Surgery had resulted in lymphoedema – leaving her with limited use of her left arm, and as she is left handed she doubted ever playing any kind of sport.

However, she was curious to know more about a game already popular in 51 countries yet one she knew little about it.

“At the first meeting I met Elaine Solecki, Swale’s sports development officer, and she encouraged me to attempt to play with my right hand.

“It was awkward at first but I persevered. After a few weeks, I was absolutely hooked and became club champion.

“What I liked was that people unable to bend could use a pusher and those in wheelchairs could roll their stones down a ramp towards the target.”

Such was Ivy’s enthusiasm that she and Elaine visited schools and clubs and helped set up new teams.

The most recent is in Eastchurch and the game is also played at the Healthy Living Centre, Sheerness.

The sport was devised by Dymchurch resident John Bennett in 2000. He said: “It came about after my disabled son said there were too few sports for people like himself.

“It got me thinking and one night after watching an ice curling match on television, I was confident I could tailor the game to be played indoors on any reasonable flat surface.

“The stone has three ball bearings on the underside for ease of movement and a handle for grip on the top.

“The aim was for every player to direct the stone towards a target laid out on the floor.

“For people unable to bend there was a pusher with a telescopic handle and wheelchair users could roll their stones down a ramp.”

So, after a great deal of modification, New Age Kurling went into production and was an immediate success.

Players have became so skilled, all England and world championships are keenly contested – some played in Sittingbourne.

“It is a gentle sport,” said Ivy. “But we are competitive and in it to win it.

“That’s not to say we don’t have fun – because we do. And we oldies can give the young ‘uns a run for their money.”

• Ivy doesn’t play so much these days but assures us anyone keen to try their hands at kurling will be welcomed by KEMARA Kurlers at the church hall, Green Porch Close, Milton, each Thursday morning from 10am-noon.
• SIARA also has a two-hour morning session on Mondays from 10am-noon at the Methodist Church hall, High Street, Sittingbourne.
• A Swallows team meets at the leisure centre, Sittingbourne, every Thursday from 2pm to 4pm.