As the World Curling Congress 2024 approaches, set to begin on September 3 in Montreal, the spotlight is on the diverse pool of candidates vying for positions on the World Curling board of directors. Voting for these key roles will take place during the Annual General Assembly on September 8. This year’s election will see the selection of two Vice-Presidents and two Board members, each serving a four-year term. Here’s a closer look at the candidates representing a broad spectrum of nations and curling expertise.
Stewart Dryburgh from Switzerland is a notable contender, bringing extensive experience as the lead coach for the junior section since 2018. Dryburgh has also earned accolades as a two-time world senior champion and has played a significant role in Scottish curling as a finalist. His professional background includes a long-standing directorial role at Nestle International, which underscores his leadership and organizational skills.
Kim Forge from Australia is another prominent candidate, currently serving as a World Curling Director since 2022 and seeking elevation to Vice President. Forge has been actively involved in sustainability initiatives as the Chair of the World Curling Sustainability Working Group. Her career spans business ownership and teaching, reflecting a versatile and dedicated approach to her roles.
Helena Lingham of Sweden, a current World Curling Director with a term extending to 2026, is also pursuing the Vice Presidency. With over 16 years of experience on the Swedish Curling Association board and a background in project management within telecommunications, Lingham brings a wealth of expertise and a strong commitment to the sport.
Jeff Lutz from Israel, who resides in the U.S. and holds Canadian curling club membership, is known for his six championship appearances with Israel since 2014. His professional experience includes a focus on PR and corporate communications, highlighting his skills in public engagement and strategic communication.
Jeffrey MacCharles from the USA is a member of USA Curling based in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, and an academic specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion within sports management. His research and teaching in sport management since 2012 make him a strong candidate for a role that values inclusive leadership.
Eoin McCrossan from Ireland brings a diverse background, having served as a board member and past president of the Irish Curling Association. His past roles include competition coordination with Scottish Curling and expertise in data management within the UK banking sector, offering a unique perspective on both competitive and organizational aspects of curling.
Rob Niven from Scotland is another candidate for Vice President, currently serving as a World Curling Director until 2026. Niven’s background includes significant roles in Scottish and British curling, coupled with experience in retail, hospitality, and farming, reflecting a well-rounded profile suited for leadership.
Jill Officer from Canada is well-known in the curling community, serving as the Chair of the World Curling Athlete Commission since 2022 and as High-Performance Director at CurlManitoba. With an impressive track record including Olympic and world championships, Officer’s experience as an elite athlete and director is invaluable.
Randy Olson from Canada, who has a rich background in curling as a former club manager, instructor, and varsity coach, is also a candidate. His tenure with the Curling Canada Technical Committee and extensive experience in information technology provide a robust foundation for his candidacy.
David Sik from the Czech Republic has served as the President of the Czech Curling Association since 2013 and has competed in European championships since 1995. His previous role as a project manager in the European banking industry complements his curling leadership experience.
Morten Soegaard from Norway, with a history of multiple world championship medals and previous roles as president of the Norwegian Curling Association, brings a wealth of experience in both competitive and organizational aspects of the sport. His leadership extends to various corporate boards.
Nic Sulsky from Canada, co-founder of The Curling Group and corporate sponsor of Curling Canada, offers a strong background in sports gaming and corporate sponsorship. His involvement in the Grand Slam of Curling underscores his deep engagement with the sport.
Karen Wauters from Luxembourg, a member of the Luxembourg Curling Association and former committee member for World Curling, brings four decades of corporate and non-profit management experience to her candidacy.
These candidates represent a broad array of experiences and perspectives, each bringing unique qualifications to the table. The upcoming elections promise to be a pivotal moment for the future of curling as the World Curling Congress prepares to shape its leadership for the coming years.