The three-time Olympian has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to curling.
He was joined on the prestigious list this week by fellow curlers Jennifer Dodds, Mili Smith, Hailey Duff and Dumfries born curler Victoria Wright.
Speaking today, the dad-of-three shared the joy of being given royal recognition for his dedication to the world of curling over the decades.
He said: “It is an incredible honour, never something you think about or you think you are going to get. It’s is just incredible.
“I was actually at the Mixed Doubles Championships in Geneva, in April, when the letter came through.
“My wife called to say a letter had arrived for me, then it was a case of keeping it all confidential.”
And once he was allowed to share his wonderful news, the first person he told was him mum, Marion, who was given her own MBE back in 2015 as part of the Queen’s New Year honours.
David added: “I feel humbled and proud to receive something like this.
“I am grateful for all the support over the years, I couldn’t have done it without everyone who has cheered me on, family, friends, coaches, Lockerbie Ice Rink and the whole town of Lockerbie.
“I am looking forward to my investature, whenever that may be.”
Throughout his illustrious sporting career, Murdoch has represented his country, Scotland and Great Britain, in a whopping 262 games at 26 championships and tournaments.
Professional curling has seen him gain an Olympic silver medal, in 2014; six World Championship medals, two in each colour; six European medal, three gold, one silver and two bronze; as well as three world junior championship medals of two gold and one silver.
Since 2017, David, who comes from a family of successful curlers, has been employed as Olympic head coach by British Curling.
In this role it has been his responsibility to prepare the men’s, women’s and mixed doubles’ teams for the Olympic Games, where they have secured gold, silver, and fourth.
In his coaching role he supported the men’s Team Mouat to European Championship title wins in 2018 and 2021, having helped them win a bronze medal at the World Championships in 2018 and silver in 2021; the women’s Team Muirhead to a European silver medal in 2019 and gold in 2021; and the men’s Team Paterson to a European Championship bronze medal in 2019.
Furthermore, his place on the world stage of curling was cemented when he was invited to coach Team World at the Ryder Cup-style Continental Cup in 2019, leading them to a first victory over Team North America since 2012, and in 2020.
Off the ice, but not too far away from it, David has also undertaken commentary work for Eurosport and Channel 4, as well as writing a column for The Herald.
And he has put his knowledge and expertise of the sport to great use following his election to the World Curling Federation Athlete Commission in 2016.
