Everything You Need to Know about New Age Kurling

New Age Kurling is an all-inclusive 21st century game that has taken the UK by storm and is now played all over the world. Players can be of any age or ability, from primary school pupils to pensioners. And variations of the game have already cropped up to enable large groups, such as clubs, associations and sports classes, to play. Bowls World sell a variety of New Age Kurling equipment, from house targets to pushers and kurling stones, just click on the link above to buy.

Want to know more about New Age Kurling? This article answers the most common questions about the sport, including the history of the game, how and where to play, and the equipment you need to buy to get started!

What is New Age Kurling?

New Age Kurling is a derivative of the original curling game on ice. The main difference is that it can be played by able bodied and people with disabilities alike, and it can be played indoors on any level surface such as sports halls, dance halls, church or community halls, office breakout areas, classrooms, school playgrounds, corridors and even in disused car parks.

What’s the Aim of the Game?

The game is played by pushing a coloured ‘stone’ with ball bearings along the ground towards a target, which is a vinyl mat. It is won by the team who gets more of these ‘stones’ closer to the middle of the target than their opponents.

Who Invented It?

It was invented at the start of the century by a British man called John Bennett. He thought up the game on behalf of his disabled son, Steven, who had a stroke aged 24 and wanted to get back into sport.  After watching the Ice Curling World Championships on TV, the idea was sparked, and Mr Bennett created an ice-free version of the game to be enjoyed by disabled athletes across the board.

Mr Bennett created ‘stones’ (or rubber discuses) with a handle that are designed to slide along smooth surfaces, without damaging them. He also developed pushers and ramps, so that wheelchair users, and people who have difficulty bending down, can also take part.

The game was a huge success and it wasn’t long before news of this new sport spread globally. In 2009, less than ten years after the launch, the game was played in more than 170 countries worldwide.

How is the Game Played?

It works on a simple point scoring system and has simple rules, which is why it has become a popular sport in schools. In a nutshell, teams (or individuals) start by choosing a colour – red or blue – and take it in turns to push the coloured stones towards their target.

The player must be behind the delivery line to propel the stone (and sometimes a ramp or pusher is used to ‘throw’ the stone). In total eight coloured stones are played, in four, six or eight rounds, and the team with the stone closest to target gets a point. The winner is the player, or team, with the highest point score.

Is it Played Competitively?

The sport is played at regional, national and international level; and there are various competitions for the serious player, including the World Singles Championships and World Pairs Championships in May. Although the game isn’t yet an Olympic sport, it was played in the national Paralympics.

What are the Benefits?

New Age Kurling has numerous benefits as it means people with disabilities and able bodied people can play with or against each other on an equal level. As it doesn’t require strength or physical fitness, it is used by some hospitals as part of their rehabilitation programmes. It has also been introduced into schools to promote sport and exercise, helping to develop teamwork skills as well as increasing players’ confidence.

What New Age Kurling Equipment do You Need?

Bowls World sell equipment for New Age Kurling to help you get started. These include a kurling target, a pair of kurling pushers, and a competitions set, which comprises of a set of blue and red kurling stones (eight in all), which fit in a neat red carrycase for easy transportation. If you are buying the competition set, Bowls World offers free delivery to the UK mainland.

Bowls World – Click here to buy New Age Kurling and New Age Bowls products and equipment that can be shipped to customers worldwide, as far afield as the US, New Zealand, Australia and Hong Kong.