Meet the Team – England Men

Tomorrow morning, England’s men will kick start their campaign at the European Curling Championships against Italy. It follow’s Rob Retchless and Company’s barn-storming performance at the B-Division last year where a nearly unblemished record saw them bring home a gold medal alongside promotion to the A-Division for this season.

They’re up against strong competition this season, playing against heavy hitters like Norway, Switzerland, Sweden and, of course, Bruce Mouat’s Scottish rink. The next week or so in Lohja, Finland will put the national squad to the test in one of the toughest curling arenas. Before it all kicks off, though, let’s meet the team!

Team Retchless are now into their third full season as a rink, having competed at the previous two English championships, winning the title on both occasions.

The team has stuck with a proven quantity, with David “Rambo” Ramsay along as their coach for another season, having seen them to B-Division success last season. He’s a man with a wealth of experience with curling teams from across the world. His wisdom goes all the way from technical and tactical, right the way through to the philosophical, with such gems as “success is built on layers of failure”.

Always having a keen eye on the game, his favourite curling memory is the a shot that put the author of this post out of the ECA Men’s Championships back in February (admittedly, that out-turn hit and check with zero margin for error was an absolute peach). He does, however, have other hobbies, including tennis, five-a-side and growing veg. Just don’t expect him to be at any parties as he can’t stand them! I’m sure he’ll make an exception for the closing banquet?

The fifth man is a new addition, with Colin Mouat being on loan from Team Reed (who are keen to emphasise “loan”). Colin brings more than just his name to the team. He’s a strong curler who, despite being away from the competitive game for a good few years, has come back to it recently with great success, having finished 3rd at the Men’s Championships and made the semi-finals at the Mixed Championships

Interestingly enough, Colin’s best curling memory doesn’t even involve him being on the ice, but rather getting to watch the 2018 World Men’s in Las Vegas. Always upbeat, Colin will make sure he’s cracking jokes with the team “before it gets serious”. I rather foolishly asked if he had any other hobbies before being reminded that he has a two-year-old… possibly not then!

At lead, it’s Jonathan Havercroft. Jonathan’s been a fixture of English Curling for some time, coaching junior rinks and competing at World Mixed events to list just a couple of this man’s accolades. This professor of political science has recently moved to Glasgow, where he’s getting more curling, however, we wager the weather doesn’t compare to that Cortina Summerspiel – a curling trip he’s not likely to forget any time soon.

Whilst he’s methodical on the ice with a good routine of “meeting, warm-up, practice, play”, he’s no slouch off the ice. In fact, off the ice you’ll often find him (supposedly) schooling Joe at chess! Interestingly, he also holds the title of having delivered the first ever stone thrown in the US state of Oklahoma. Not a bad conversation starter, that one!

Their second is Scott Gibson, the long-time second to Andy Woolston. Indeed, the old days of Team Woolston are clearly still fresh in his mind as he notes 2017 in St Gallen being his favourite curling trip. Staying in a “bizarre 5 storey house”, playing on outdoor ice whilst eating bratwurst or fondue. Hard to beat, to be honest!

His pre-match routine is a simple one, coffee then stretch. If it works, it works! When not curling he’ll either be found playing badminton or sailing – often with a rather boisterous spaniel below decks too! He’s also keen to point out that he gets his fish from a van and, as someone whose loaf is a pan, I can see where he’s coming from! Anyone getting that particular reference is invited to write in to the Kelvinside Young People’s Amateur Dramatic Arts Society…

At third and taking the head for skips’ stones is Jotham Sugden. Following stepping back from junior curling, Joe joined Rob and Co and has been on the train to success ever since – not that he wasn’t previously, with various World Junior-B appearances for England. Having started his own curling-based fitness blog, Joe knows just what it takes to reach peach performance – that might explain why Tadej Pogačar is listed as his sporting idol – three Tour de France wins takes some commitment!

He mightn’t have any particular pre-game rituals, but he’s cool on and off the ice, rarely letting things get to him – qualities that will be important in such a high-stakes championships. As well as curling, Joe is an avid cyclist and coffee connoisseur who can (apparently) do a back-flip. We’ll need a video for proof, surely?

Last, but by no means least, is Rob, the skip. He’s been around the block a few times and his experience really shows on the ice. Whilst we’re sure he’s looking forward to the glitz and glamour of Kisakallio, it’ll be tough to match the Charlevoix Bonspiel in Quebec, a favourite trip of Rob’s. Like Scott, he’ll always find a way to factor coffee into the pre-game ritual (usually accompanied with “doom-scrolling” and crossword puzzles), but he’s always sure to get a good warm-up in too.

And whilst Kisakallio mightn’t be everyone’s cup of tea, for someone like Rob who enjoys hikes and travel, this may well be a fun trip. On the ice, however, Rob’s got a tremendous tactical mind and nerves of steel. He’ll not shy away from the big shots to win the game, and we just know that’s going to be what’s needed this year.

You can follow the team’s progress on the World Curling website. We wish them all the best of luck this week in Finland, we know that England is well represented out there!