A DUMBARTON sports club boasting more than two centuries of history is on the hunt for new members as they look to keep it open for the next 100 years.

A combination of the Covid-19 pandemic, the closure of a nearby ice rink they used and waning interest has left Dumbarton Curling Club fearful for the future.

Now secretary Jim McDonald has told the Reporter the club – which was formed in 1815 – is on the hunt for a new influx of players to help drive the curlers forward.

He said: “Since Covid and Braehead Ice Rink closed, we had a membership of about 20, but because of the closure of Braehead and then Covid hitting, it almost killed us.

“Last year we only had about eight or nine players, we were only getting six of seven turning out.

“Fortunately, we’ve got a few new members this year, so that’s swelled the numbers, but we are always looking to welcome new members.”

When Covid hit, Jim describes how it was then ‘two years of nothing’ with the club questioning if they would ever be back playing.

The club now get on the ice at the Greenock Waterfront Leisure Complex, where they meet on Tuesday and Wednesday nights to play bounce games amongst the members as well as take on other clubs in the local province in a competitive league set-up.

Jim explained that after the pandemic, they lost around 10 to 12 people, roughly half the membership, with former members failing to return to the sport for one reason or another.

Dumbarton Curling Club charges a yearly membership fee – which is waived for the first year of membership with them – and subsidises all rink fees, as well as providing curling equipment to those who join.

“Anybody who wants to come along can come along,” Jim, who is a qualified coach, added.

“It’s a friendly game.

“It can be expensive, and equipment can be expensive, but we provide it all.”

Some new members have been added since the club started back post-pandemic, with Jim picking up a couple of players through the ‘try curling’ open nights run by Scottish Curling.

One such current member who joined after one of these nights was Findlay Campbell, who told the Reporter he hasn’t looked back since joining Jim and Dumbarton last year.

He said: “I was really finding it difficult to commit to golf tee-off times and navigating life with small children.

“Jim at Dumbarton is absolutely brilliant.

“Really, I do believe that quite often it’s who introduces you to something rather than where.

“And I came along to Dumbarton Curling Club, and it has been fantastic. I’ve met some amazing people and had great fun at a time that works for me.

“I would highly recommend it to anyone.”

Jim says he plans to get some pamphlets of the club to some local areas such as libraries across Dumbarton and the Vale and was insistent to add there is very much a social side to curling – if that’s what some people are looking for.

He finished: “There is a curling etiquette, the winning team offers a drink to their defeated members. So the winners actually buy the drinks.”