Local, national even global response to Capital Curling!

 9 August 2026

 Canberra’s fledgling curling community has been overwhelmed by the offers of help coming from throughout the capital, interstate and even from overseas.

Former Brisbane-based physiotherapist and aspiring Winter Olympian curler Nick Stamatiou transferred to a Belconnen practice less than a month ago but has already obtained 36 curling stones (also known as rocks), and some brooms – to begin a curling program at Phillp Ice Rink.

“Getting a curling community up and running takes a lot of work,” Nick said today between calls to the dozens of volunteers who have responded to his Facebook post. “Canberra people are absolute legends, and the support we’re also getting from established curling associations in Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney has been overwhelming.”

Since the possibility of a beginner or “come and try” curling program being introduced at the Geocon-managed rink on the back of Australia’s strongest Winter Olympic performance in Milano-Cortina – six medals among the 55-member team in February – Stamatiou has worked tirelessly to secure the most essential element of the sport -- stones.

“We were very fortunate to locate 36 stones in Sydney which were no longer being used,” he said “and we’ve now got them in Canberra.

"But we need to find a freezer big enough to store the stones because they must be as cold as the ice or else they melt into the surface, instead of sliding along.

“Curling Australia is helping, as are the four state curling associations, but what’s inspiring is the response locally, as well as globally. We’ve had governance, registration, comms, engagement, learn-to-curl, high performance, and business experts reach out offering their help as volunteers, and that’s so important when establishing a new sport,” Stamatiou added.

Australian Daphne Chong lives in Seattle where she took up curling pre-COVID and now instructs for learn-to-curl and group events at her local club, the Granite Curling Club of Seattle.

“This is really great news for Australian curling,” said Daphne, one of the overseas volunteers who messaged Nick. “I recently played in Mixed 4s nationals in Auckland and that was great fun. 

“I’m excited to see curling grow in Australia and I’m happy to help out in any way, such as sourcing gear and swapping info on our club events in Seattle.”

Capital Curling will also incorporate as the ACT Curling Association to affiliate with Curling Australia under the auspices of World Curling.

“We’re not waiting for the ACT Government or Pelligra Group to sort out when they’re going to start building the new ice rink, but the developer did undertake to include four curling lanes as part of the new twin-sheet facility,” ACTISF spokesman Sandi Logan said today.

“We’ll be ready with curlers, a club, and coaches to move into the new rink – whenever it gets built! 

VOLUNTEERS' MESSAGES TO CAPITAL CURLING’S CALL FOR HELP

·       I’ve been interested in curling since 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.  I’d love to help and participate.

·       I’m curious and interested! I curled for many years in Canada. I’d love to help get it started in Canberra.

·       I’m an Aussie living overseas. I instruct for learn-to-curl and corporate events in my local club and maybe there’s some virtual assistance or knowledge from my local club that could help you. I'd love to help out.  

·       I've no experience but I'm Scottish. I'm interested to help out.

·       Super interested .. worked at a curling rink but only poured hot black currants and hot Bovril.

·       I would love to help out​, however it is needed.

·       My husband and I would be interested in volunteering but currently in Canada. Back in a few weeks!

·       I would be interested in helping out Capital Curling.

·       Lawn bowler here; keen to give ‘bowls on ice’ a go.   

·       With a little support we could create world class competitors and seek global presence for Australia.