New Age Kurling

A team sport adapted from the sport of curling to be fully inclusive for all young people. Between two and four players on opposing teams compete in a tactical game which involves sliding weighted stones towards a circular target.

What is new age kurling?

New age kurling is similar to bowls, but is traditionally played inside and uses a static target rather than a moving ball. Players are permitted to move the stones with their hands, feet, or using a ramp in the case of those with severe impairments.

Each team has a set number of stones and take it in turns to slide a stone towards the target. Each game is completed when all of the stones have been used, with a match traditionally made up of four or more ends.

The team which has their stone closest to the centre of the target at the completion of the end receives one point, with an additional point for each stone closer than their opponent’s nearest stone. Scoring is cumulative and is calculated over the full game.

Equipment needed

Kurling stones
Cones, skittles, or markers for goal posts
Kurling targets
Kurling ramp
Adjustable pusher
Indoor court space (e.g. half a badminton court)

A brief history of new age kurling

Curling traces its roots back to 16th century Scotland and the name of the sport derives from the movement of the stone as it moves along its trajectory.

Curling appeared at the Winter Olympics on four occasions before becoming a permanent fixture at the event in 1998. Canada are the most successful nation in the event’s history, winning 12 medals including six golds, while Scandinavian nations Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland are also in the top ten performers. Great Britain is currently the third most successful country, having gained six medals overall, 3 of which are gold.

A mixed wheelchair curling event has been held at the Winter Paralympics since 2006, with Canada winning on three occasions. Again, Team GB has tasted success, winning silver in 2006 and bronze in 2014.

The Great Britain Kurling Association (GBKA) is the National Governing Body for new age kurling in the UK.

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See their full range of new age kurling formats suitable for schools.

Visit the GBKA's website

Get involved

The School Games is inclusive to all young people and provides opportunities for everyone to get involved, either within school, against other local schools, or at county or regional level.

School Games Organisers

School Games Organisers (SGO) help schools coordinate appropriate competitive opportunities for all young people from Key Stage 2-4, to recruit, train and deploy a suitable workforce, and to support the development of club.