Three-time Olympian David Murdoch has been announced as British Curling’s National Coach for programme curlers. He will draw on his wealth of knowledge when he begins his role on Saturday, marking the start of this Olympiad towards Beijing in 2022.
Murdoch’s attention turned to coaching full time last year as he became a consultant coach to the programme following his retirement from the professional game, which saw him earn silver at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games, as well as win two world, three European and seven national titles before landing the prestigious post. He said: “I feel very honoured and privileged to be given this fantastic opportunity with British Curling and I hope to use my experience as a former athlete and my coaching experience to further enhance the prospects of teams as the new Olympic cycle gets underway.”
David credits Richard Harding at Greenacres Curling Club for instigating his coaching career, having given him his first break that has led him on this career path. And he added: “I owe huge gratitude to Richard who gave me my first coaching role back in 2011, working part-time with the Greenacres members, which was obviously my first step on the coaching ladder. It was an opportunity that enabled me to gain valuable coaching experience over the years.
“Combined with my curling career, that has afforded me the chance to work with many coaches, performance directors and support staff and specialists from the Sportscotland Institute of Sport, as well as team coaches. I feel that I have learned something from every one of them, on how to coach others effectively and deal with the pressure so that you are doing the job to the very best of your ability, to get the very best out of medal prospects.
Murdoch starts his new role on September 1 and British Curling performance director Graeme Thompson is delighted with the appointment, and he said: “David brings a wealth of experience both on and off the ice to what is a hugely important role. As an instantly recognised figure throughout the sport and widely respected in the game, he is best placed to help guide our Olympic programme as we aim to deliver medals at Beijing and beyond.”
