Ladies ready for their 'once in a lifetime chance' in Canada

A group of curlers are embarking on a once in a lifetime experience with Scotland this month when they compete against Canada for the Muriel Fage Trophy.

- PAUL THOMSON

A 24-strong squad will represent their on a three-week tour of British Columbia in a longstanding event held every five years between the two countries.

And Renfrewshire stars Wendy Highet, Pat Lyden and Libby Torrance, who play out of Greenacres Howwood, are in the squad for the tournament, which starts today and runs until November 23.

The Muriel Fage Trophy dates back to 1955 when a group of women from North America first visited Scotland. The competition has taken place every five years since then and, 70 years on, the women, who hail from as far afield as Inverness to Stranraer, are honoured to be selected to represent Scotland.

Canada are the holders after winning the Covid-delayed ‘2020 event’ just last year.

But the trip is about much more than winning, as squad member and team treasurer Christine Hall can attest.

She said: “Every 10 years a group of Scots are elected to go to Canada and in the five years in between, a group of Canadians are elected to come back to Scotland on a reciprocal basis.