In 1957 my family moved to Canada, where I first started Curling, playing in the Ladies League and for my High School. In 1963 we were ESISSA Curling Champions, and I was awarded The Sr Curler of the Year trophy.

Returning to NZ, I studied Physical Education at the University of Otago. During this time, I threw my first stones in New Zealand on the Manorburn Dam on 14th July 1968.

In 1971 I joined the Leaside Curling Club in Toronto and worked at the Leaside Recreation Centre. Returning to NZ, I worked at TeAwamutu College and Birkdale/ Birkenhead College as a full-time Health and Physical Education teacher.

I married in 1975 and have one son Ivan with whom I now enjoy my passion for Travel. Over the years, I have developed Physical Education and Health programmes and assessments, run many School, interschool and zonal events, Outdoor education camps and developed Risk Assessment and Management programmes.

I am a foundation member of the Auckland Curling Club, have served on their Executive for 23 years, and have been responsible for the Secondary School programme's development. In 2001 I obtained my Level 2 Curling Coaching Certificate and was tasked with getting curling sanctioned as a Secondary School Sport. I completed the World Curling Academy Introduction to Curling Course in 2022.

I was awarded Life Membership of the Auckland Curling Club and received an IOC Women and Sports Achievement Diploma from WCF President Kare Caithness for my work with Women and Girls' sports. In 2002 I began coaching NZ representative teams and have continued to the present. I have been honoured with five Awards for my volunteer work as an organiser, drawmaster, Coach and timekeeper at Winter Games, JR PACCs, PACCs, World Qualifiers held in NZ, National competitions, and my work with Auckland Curling Club.

I am passionate about curling and am in the process of mentoring others to eventually take over the work we have done so far.

I have been an active member and life member of the Mt Ida Curling Club, with our family's association dating back to the late 1800s.  My father, Doug, was a stalwart of NZ Curling, President in 1991, and took part in Curling Tours to Scotland in the '70s and '80s. I've served on NZCA and the MCI Board as the association's representative for three years.  An Mt Ida delegate to Naseby Curling Council for many years and to Naseby Combined Curling Clubs. 

I am a committee member of Maniototo Ice Rink (Outdoor) and actively helped during its construction.  For 25 years, I've been an assistant, then a selector of Mt Ida.  I managed the 1994 NZ Women's Curling Team in Christchurch as an assistant to Edwin Harley. My wife, Norma, was in that team and the 1993 team to Adelaide.  Norma was also President of the Naseby Curling Council in 1996, representing Pioneer Curling Cub.  My two grandsons, Hamish and Hunter Walker, have curled for NZ in various teams – YOGs, Junior and the NZ Men's teams.  

I've been a member of the Maniototo Lions Club and President since 2001; I chaired the Naseby and surrounding Gold Fields celebrations in 2013.  At present, it's my second time as President of Naseby Bowling Club, and I was secretary for a short time.  I have served as chairman of the Naseby School Committee and chaired a group establishing a second tennis court in Naseby.  I am actively involved in other community fundraising. 

Myself, Norma, our son Wayne run a sheep and beef farm in the Naseby area.  The area has many reminders of the early miners' activities, including being part of the establishment of curling here.  Their winter months, at times, would see water in dams frozen over, as was the ground they were working with, so there was no better thing to do than curl. 

A couple of my favourite memories of curling would be my first one-day match, the Shea Shield (Young Curlers), in 1972.  Another would be being part of Mt Ida's 1991 winning of the Bonspiel. 

Since 2019 I have served on the NZCA Executive and am currently the Junior Vice President. I have been the Convenor of Selectors for the past two years. 

As a semi-retired farmer, my experience includes administering and playing several sports over the year, namely tennis, rugby, squash, and bowls along with being on the Central Otago Trotting Club for 40 years. Retiring from the Omakau lrrigation Company this year, after 30 years of service, four years as Chairman.  

Previously I have played sports at a representative level - Otago for rugby and New Zealand for the Men's and Senior Curling teams.  My representative experience, along with curling outdoor for Alpine Curling Club, gives me knowledge in both the modern and traditional games, as well as knowing what is required at grassroots and representative levels. 

These experiences and my skills support my hopes to bring a practical way of governance to achieve the goals of the NZCA.

Hi, my name is Warren Dobson, and I am a member of the Mt Ida Curling Club.

Being born and bred in the Maniototo, I have grown up with the sport of curling, from watching the players competing on frozen farm ponds as a kid to participating and playing both the crampit and hack styles at local, national and international levels.

During my career, I have been lucky enough to win National titles and go on to represent New Zealand at various International Tournaments over the years. 

Having 25 years of experience in the Electrical Distribution industry, I currently work for PowerNet Ltd as a Line Supervisor. I manage and oversee line crews from Ranfurly and Palmerston, organising their daily planning, running of jobs, contracts, plant and vehicles. 

Curling is a sport I'm passionate about, and I hope my skills and experiences can add value to the Executive to help the sport grow and develop.

Initially from a farming background with a degree in Farm Management from Lincoln University.  I went into forestry for 18 years as a harvesting contractor and forest harvesting trainer.  This led to my involvement in establishing the NZ Forest Contractors Association, to which I served on its executive for several years and as President for a 2-year period.  Forestry also led to my involvement with the Rural Fire Service, which led to several deployments to Australian bushfires.  Ultimately, forestry led me to Naseby, where I was introduced to curling.

Although a late starter to the sport, I was fortunate enough to represent NZ at several Senior World Champs under the tutelage of Peter Becker. An opportunity led to a three-year Government funded position as Development Officer for the Indoor Curling Rink, allowing me to learn various aspects of rink operation, such as ice making.  I had the opportunity to train as an ice maker in Germany through a World Curling program and gained coaching qualifications there.  Although I still actively curl, albeit a little slower, I have concentrated on coaching these past few years with YOGs, Juniors Teams, and more recently, the Open Women's Team.

Currently, I'm an Irrigation and Cropping Manager for a corporate Diary Farm.  My skills enable me to understand curling from ice making, traditional curling and the International Game. 

My role on the NZCA Executive is in finance, seeking funds and organising fundraising initiatives to help alleviate the costs of running our organisation.

I was born in Ranfurly, Central Otago and currently live near Patearoa. Although I have travelled and lived in different areas throughout New Zealand and Overseas, I will always consider Maniototo my true home.

Growing up in a large sporting family, Curling was only one of the many sports we were encouraged to play; I started hack curling when I was 17, however, and only played a handful of crampet games before this age. 

Once I started curling at a competitive level, I found I loved the sport and the traditions New Zealand Curling still encourages.  Currently, I am a member of the Ranfurly Curling Club and frequently curl at Maniototo Curling International in Naseby.  Being part of the New Zealand Womens Curling team has provided me with the knowledge of what is required for top athletes at a competitive level.

After graduating from Otago University with a Bachelor of Physical Education with a post-grad in Secondary Teaching, I worked for several years with International students in Melbourne in various student support/administration roles.  I'm currently a Legal Assistant for Checketts McKay and hope to gain my Legal Executive qualification one day in the future. 

One of the reasons I wanted to become part of the New Zealand Curling Executive was to encourage and help put more strategies in place to encourage more female curlers into the Curling fraternity.  I hope to see female participation at social and national levels increase over the next few years.

Hello, my name is Sean Becker. 

I was born and raised in Maniototo, Central Otago and attended our local Area School, where I completed (Year 13) with University Entrance.  I travelled to Scotland and Canada for two years, gaining more curling experience.  While in Canada, I obtained the Canadian Curling Association (CCA) Level 1 and part of Level 2 coaching certificates.

My curling experience over the past 30 years has seen me play and compete for our local club, both indoor and outdoor curling, while competing at National and International Levels.  The highlights were Olympic representation and a World Championship silver medal at the World Mixed Doubles Competition.

As a Farm Manager in a multi-million dollar agricultural business, I help with planning and implementing – finances, budgets, logistics and the day-to-day management of staff, stock and contractors.

I look forward to helping develop and guide the growth of the sport of curling in New Zealand at both domestic and international levels as a member of the New Zealand Curling Association Executive and as a long-standing member of the Maniototo Curling International board. 

My name is Bruce Kissel.  After leaving school, I was a lifeguard for two years.  Then I worked at the biggest forestry & shelter nursery in NZ, where I became 2IC.  For the past 40 years, I have owned a landscape Gardening business.  

I was in the first response team and was a team leader with Land Search and Rescue for 11 years.  In 1995 my wife, Fiona and I moved to Alexandra.  We have been happily married for 40 years and enjoy life in Central Otago.

In 1997 I  became a member of the Manorburn Curling Club and have been curling ever since.  For over ten years, I have coached Curling, crampet and hack curling styles to school children in the Central Otago area at IceinLine, Alexandra.

NZCA has been an interest of mine, and I have been on the committee since 2010 and have served as Junior Vice, Senior Vice and President. I have umpired in the South Island Secondary Schools Competition and NZ Secondary Schools Competition for several years.

My role on the NZCA Executive has predominately been supporting the growth of Secondary Schools Curling in Alexandra and surrounding areas.  My aim would be to get Secondary Schools in the area involved and getting a primary league going.  

Growing up in the Ida Valley, sports, including curling, was a big part of many people's lives. 

I have enjoyed participating in many sports over the years, leading me to take on various coaching, administration and governance roles.  From President of the CO Trotting Club, BoT Chairman and Local Justice of the Peace, to name a few.

In 1990 I became a curler for the Poolburn Curling Club. I am fortunate to have curled with and against some amazing people and clubs over the years. Without a doubt, being part of the 2012 winning Bonspiel Club has been a sporting highlight. The traditions and sportsmanship associated with the game are something I hold dear, having had this impressed on me as a younger curler. Despite John Sanders's best efforts, my curling exploits are all to do with crampet curling. 

However, in 2016, I was privileged to be Poolburn Curling Clubs' nominee to the NZCA. Having served a two-year term as NZCA President from 2020 - 2022 is a real privilege.  It allowed me to become more involved not just in the Outdoor Curling World but it gave me a chance to be involved with the Indoor Curling World in a significant way.

My role with NZCA is focused on Outdoor Curling and future proofing it as best as possible.  However, I get absolute satisfaction from supporting the same goals for the indoor game in the hope of future international success.

Hailing from the small Southland town of Mossburn,  Curling was somewhat foreign.  However, since moving to Central Otago, and marrying into the Becker Family, I have come to love and respect so much about Curling.

After graduating From Dunedin College of Education and the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Education, I taught in various schools in Otago and Southland.  As a passionate teacher with strengths in music and Māori, I loved providing rural students with opportunities.  As a Mum to a modern-day blended family of six children, I am highly organised and efficient. 

The Spirit of Curling is something I value, and I am passionate about Secondary School and Junior Curling.   My role in the Executive began as Secretary but has morphed into much more.  As a teacher, I am an effective communicator who thrives on systems and processes.    With the Incorporated Societies Act changes, an opportunity has arisen to create policies for NZ Curling to assist in the NZCA's compliance.   

In 2022 I became the Naseby Curling Council and MCI Secretaries.  These roles support my NZCA Administration role, give me a better understanding and enable better communication between NZCA, the Councils and Venues, especially when coordinating the Curling Calendar.  

My administrative role adds value to the executive role through my communication skills, liaising between the Executive, sectors, and the wider curling fraternity, with my ability to accomplish tasks.  My goal is to assist in retaining the unique character of this historical game and moving into modern times, increasing our professionalism while continuing to grow the sport of curling.     

My role is challenging, rewarding and full of learning.  I greatly respect the NZCA Executive, and working with the calibre of people on the Executive is a privilege. 

I still pinch myself about the incredible opportunity and honour I’ve had, to proudly represent my country at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy.  I’ve been curling most of my life; my NZ team played in many Pacific Champs, four World Champs, and then achieved my long-term goal of Curling in the Olympics.

Curling can be a sport that rewards ‘experience’, and I was the oldest Winter Olympian to hit the ‘field of play’ in 2006. Curling is not really ‘mainstream’ in NZ, but I believe it is the ultimate team sport, with all four teammates directly involved in the success of every single shot.

That life-changing experience was the catalyst for me to want to ‘give back’ and get involved in what was then known as the Olympians Club, which more recently became the NZOC Olympians Commission. The first Olympians project I was involved in was the presentation of uniquely numbered NZ Olympians Pins to what was then over 1000 New Zealanders who had competed at the Olympics from 1908 through 2008. That number has grown to over 1500 NZ Olympians now, with Beijing 2022 NZ Olympians recently added.

I have retired from a 35-year sales and marketing career in the Agricultural industry, helping NZ farmers do what they do best – producing food to export to the world. After being raised on a dairy farm in Canada (where I got my degree in Agriculture), my wife Carroll and I moved to New Zealand in 1992 "for 2 or 3 years". We soon took out NZ citizenship, and for over 30 years we’ve proudly called ourselves Kiwis.

I am still very involved in curling, as the NZCA Representative to the World Curling Federation for many years now. I have also competed with my NZ team at eight of the last nine World Senior Curling Champs (age 50+).

After being co-founder of the Auckland Curling Club in 1996, (renting ice on a skating rink), I now spend considerable time on a project to get the first ‘dedicated’ curling rink built in Auckland. The rink will be a true ‘quantum leap’ for Curling in NZ, providing world-class curling ice seven days a week in our largest city. A curling rink will provide an exciting new recreation option for Kiwis, at the same time as being a facility for future generations of NZ Olympic Curlers to develop and hone their skills!