New Zealand is home to some of the world’s greatest curling players. From world champions to Olympic medalists, New Zealand’s best curling players have achieved impressive feats in the sport.
From the ice of the world championships to the warmth of the Olympic stage, these athletes have proven their worth in the sport of curling. Here we take a look at some of the best curling players from New Zealand.
1. Peter de Boer
Peter de Boer is a curler with a unique background. He was born in Scotland but now lives in New Zealand. His international experience makes him an ideal candidate to coach the New Zealand national men’s curling team.
De Boer has been involved in the sport of curling since his childhood in Scotland. He has a deep understanding of the game and a strong passion for the sport.
He has since gone on to coach a number of teams, both in Scotland and New Zealand. De Boer is deeply committed to helping the New Zealand national men’s curling team succeed. He has dedicated himself to helping the team reach its full potential.
He works closely with the players to develop their skills and strategies in order to gain the best possible results on the ice. De Boer also provides valuable mentorship and guidance to the players, helping them to stay motivated and focused on their goals.
His experience and knowledge make him the perfect coach for the New Zealand national men’s curling team.
2. Bridget Becker
Bridget Becker is a female curler from New Zealand. She has achieved great success on the international stage, most notably as the runner-up of the 2010 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship.
Additionally, she has been the runner-up and four-time bronze medallist of the Pacific Curling Championships.
Her impressive accomplishments demonstrate her skill and determination in the sport of curling. Becker has competed in numerous competitions throughout her career, but the 2010 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship stands out as one of her greatest achievements.
At the event, she and her partner finished as the runner-up, showing that she is capable of competing at the highest levels of the sport.
Additionally, she has been a consistent force at the Pacific Curling Championships, having been the runner-up and four-time bronze medallist in the event. Becker is an inspiration for female curlers everywhere, as she has managed to make her mark on the international stage.
Her success is proof that hard work and dedication can take you far in the sport of curling. She is a great example of what can be achieved when one puts their mind to it.
3. Mhairi-Bronté Duncan
Mhairi-Bronté Duncan is a talented athlete from New Zealand who is making a name for herself in the sport of curling.
Born in 1999, she is currently part of the New Zealand women’s curling team and has been competing on the international stage since 2018. Duncan is passionate about the sport of curling and has trained hard to reach the highest level of play.
She brings a unique knowledge and skill set to the game, as she is the only New Zealander to have ever competed in a major international curling tournament. Duncan is a powerful competitor and has proven to be a formidable force in the world of curling.
She has already won several medals in her young career, including a bronze medal at the 2020 World Women’s Curling Championship. Not only is Duncan a skilled curler, but she is also an advocate for women’s sports.
She is a member of the New Zealand Women’s Curling Association and works to raise awareness of the sport among her fellow Kiwis. Mhairi-Bronté Duncan is an example of a talented and ambitious young athlete who is making waves in an often-overlooked sport.
Her determination and passion for curling make her a role model for young people everywhere. She is a great example of what can be achieved with hard work and dedication.
4. Sean Becker
Sean Peter Becker is a New Zealander who is dedicated to the sport of curling. Curling is a sport that involves sliding stones across ice towards a target, known as the house.
It is a game that requires accuracy, strategy, and teamwork to be successful. Sean is an experienced curler, having competed in multiple tournaments and leagues in both New Zealand and overseas.
He currently serves as the President of the New Zealand Curling Association and is a regular at the international level.
He’s been involved in the sport for many years, and his dedication to the sport has made him an integral part of the New Zealand curling community. His passion for curling is evident in his perseverance and dedication to the sport.
He has taken part in various training and development programs and has helped to promote the sport in his home country by attending competitions and events.
He has also been part of the team that helped to create the New Zealand Curling Club, which is now a thriving organization. Sean is a highly respected member of the curling community and is a true ambassador of the sport.
He is an inspiration to many and has helped to create a strong and vibrant curling community in New Zealand. He is a true champion of the sport, and his commitment to curling is sure to make a lasting impact on the future of the sport.
5. Hans Frauenlob
Hans Frauenlob is a New Zealand curler who has recently retired. He was born and raised in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Growing up, Frauenlob had a passion for curling. He dedicated his time to mastering the game, and eventually he became quite successful.
He competed in various competitions and tournaments, eventually making a name for himself in the world of curling. In 2015, Frauenlob decided to make a huge move and relocate to New Zealand.
It was a big decision, but he was determined to make a name for himself in the sport in his new home. He proceeded to join the New Zealand Curling Association and compete in various tournaments.
Over the years, Frauenlob earned multiple awards and accolades for his skill in the sport. Eventually, Frauenlob decided to retire from the sport and focus on his other passions.
Although he is no longer actively competing, he still serves as a mentor and advisor to other curlers. He offers his expertise and knowledge to help them hone their skills and reach their goals.
Hans Frauenlob is a great example of someone who had a passion and followed it to its fullest. Despite moving to a new country, he was able to make a name for himself in the sport and leave a legacy that will last for years to come.
6. Scott Becker
Scott Becker is a professional curler from New Zealand. He is also an experienced curling coach. Scott currently plays the position of second on his brother Sean Becker’s team.
As second, Scott helps strategize the team’s shots and is responsible for sweeping the ice with a broom to ensure the stone travels in the intended direction. Scott has been playing curling for many years and has also coached many teams in the past.
His experience and knowledge of the game is invaluable to his brother’s team. With Scott’s help, Sean’s team has become one of the top teams in New Zealand.
Scott’s dedication to the sport has helped him become a leader in the curling community and an example to aspiring curlers.
7. Dan Mustapic
Daniel Matthew Mustapic is a talented curler from Dunedin, New Zealand. He has had a successful career in the sport, becoming a two-time Pacific-Asian champion and a four-time New Zealand men’s champion.
His success in the sport has earned him the opportunity to participate in the 2006 Winter Olympics, where the New Zealand men’s team finished in an impressive tenth place.
This is an impressive feat, as the Olympics are one of the most competitive tournaments in the world. Mustapic is a dedicated curler who has achieved great success in the sport.
He has achieved at the highest level, both at the Pacific-Asian championships and at the New Zealand men’s championships. He is a great example of what a successful athlete can achieve through hard work and dedication.
Mustapic’s participation in the 2006 Winter Olympics is particularly impressive, as it demonstrates his ability to succeed at the highest level. His team’s tenth-place finish is a testament to the hard work and dedication that Mustapic has put into his training and preparation.
He is an inspiration to aspiring curlers who may be looking to reach the highest levels of the sport.
8. Anton Hood
Anton Hood is a curler from Naseby, New Zealand. He is an experienced athlete, having been involved in the sport for many years. He currently skips the New Zealand men’s national curling team, a position that requires him to have excellent leadership and strategic skills.
As the skip, he is responsible for making the strategic decisions for the team, such as what shots to play and when. He is also responsible for guiding the other players and motivating them to do their best.
Hood is a respected athlete in the curling community and is seen as a leader and mentor by his teammates. He has achieved a great deal of success in his career, winning many competitions and representing New Zealand on the international stage.
9. Natalie Thurlow
Natalie Thurlow is a New Zealand curler who has achieved significant success on both the international and national levels. On the international stage, she is the runner-up of the Pacific Curling Championships, having placed in the top three five times.
On the national level, she is a six-time New Zealand Women’s Curling Champion and a two-time New Zealand Mixed Doubles Curling Champion. Her achievements demonstrate her skill and dedication to the sport, as well as her passion for competing and striving for success.
She is an inspiration to her fellow New Zealand curlers and a role model for aspiring curlers all over the world. Natalie Thurlow’s accomplishments demonstrate that hard work and dedication can lead to international success.
10. Peter Becker
Peter Becker is an accomplished curler and curling coach from New Zealand. He has achieved impressive results at the international level, having won two bronze medals at the Pacific Curling Championships.
At the national level, his achievements are even more impressive, as he has won three New Zealand men’s curling championships and the 2013 New Zealand senior men’s championship.
Becker’s accomplishments demonstrate his skill as both a curler and coach, making him a formidable force in the curling world.
11. Eleanor Adviento
Eleanor Adviento is a female curler from New Zealand. She has achieved success at the national level, winning two New Zealand women’s curling championships and two New Zealand mixed curling championships.
Her impressive academic record includes a master’s degree from the University of Auckland, which she earned in 2018. Her thesis focused on the use of mitochondrial DNA to predict embryo quality.
Adviento’s success on the ice and in the classroom is a testament to her drive and dedication to excellence.
12. Jim Allan
Jim Allan is a highly accomplished curler, with a wealth of experience both internationally and nationally. At the international level, he has won the Pacific championship three times, establishing himself as one of the top curlers in the region.
Closer to home, he has won the New Zealand men’s championship twice, proving his ability to compete and succeed at the highest levels. His dedication to the sport and his strong track record of success have made him an admired figure in the world of curling.
13. Warren Dobson
Warren Dobson is a curler with an impressive resume. He was part of the New Zealand team at the 2006 Winter Olympics, where he helped his team to a strong showing. He was also a member of the teams that won back-to-back Pacific Curling Championships in 2003 and 2004.
These accomplishments demonstrate the commitment and dedication of Warren Dobson to the sport of curling. He has shown a consistent ability to perform at a high level, and his presence on the New Zealand Olympic team speaks to his skill and talent.
He has helped to bring curling recognition and success to New Zealand, and his accomplishments should not be overlooked.
14. Stewart McKnight
Stewart Gemmell McKnight was a professional cricketer from New Zealand. He played seven first-class matches for the Otago team between 1958 and 1967. McKnight was brought up in a rural area, on the family property in Ranfurly.
Unfortunately, his father passed away in 1940 while mining for gold in the area. Despite this, McKnight still managed to pursue his dreams of playing cricket professionally.
McKnight’s career spanned 9 years, during which he made seven appearances in the first-class matches for the Otago team. He was an impressive player and enjoyed a successful stint as a cricketer. Unfortunately, his career came to an end in 1967, when he retired from the sport.
McKnight’s legacy lives on through his achievements as a professional cricketer. He paved the way for many other players from New Zealand to pursue their dreams and make a name for themselves in the world of cricket.
His time as a cricketer is fondly remembered by many, and his impact on the sport is still felt today.
15. Hunter Walker
Hunter Walker is a well-known curler from Dunedin, New Zealand. He is currently playing lead on the New Zealand men’s national curling team.
This means that Hunter is responsible for throwing the first two stones of the end and setting the strategy and positioning for the other players. He has been involved in the sport since a young age and has been competing at a national level for several years.
His expertise in the sport has been recognized by his peers, and he has been selected to represent New Zealand on a number of occasions. He is an experienced and talented player, who is passionate about the sport and dedicated to improving his game.
His commitment to curling and the national team is evident in his performance on the ice. Hunter is a valued member of the team, and his contribution has been instrumental in the team’s success.
16. Brett Sargon
Brett Sargon is an accomplished curler from New Zealand. He has achieved a great deal of success in the sport, having won three New Zealand men’s curling championships and two New Zealand mixed curling championships.
This is an impressive feat, especially considering that New Zealand is a relatively small nation when it comes to curling. At the national level, he has been a dominant force in New Zealand curling.
His three national men’s championships are a testament to his skill and dedication. He has also won two mixed championships, making him a double champion. Sargon is also a respected figure in the international curling community.
He has competed in a number of international tournaments and has won several medals. He is considered to be one of the best curlers from New Zealand. Brett Sargon is an exemplary athlete whose success in curling is a testament to his hard work and dedication.
He has achieved a great deal of success in New Zealand curling and has earned the respect of the international curling community. He is a true champion and an inspiration to aspiring curlers from New Zealand and around the world.
17. Ben Smith
Ben Smith is a curler from the small town of Ranfurly, located in New Zealand. Curling is a sport that involves sliding polished stones across a sheet of ice towards a target area, with the goal of scoring points.
Ben Smith is currently playing third on the New Zealand men’s national curling team. This means that he is the third player on the team to throw stones, following the lead and second players.
Ben Smith’s role is to provide support and guidance to the first and second players, as well as to help the team strategize and make the best decisions. He is also responsible for making sure the team’s shots are accurate and consistent.
His experience and expertise is essential in helping the New Zealand men’s national team achieve success.
Conclusion
New Zealand has some of the best curlers in the world. From the Olympic gold medallists to the seasoned veterans, New Zealand has a vast array of talent in the sport.
Whether you’re a fan of the sport, a beginner, or a serious competitor, you’ll be sure to find a top-notch curler in New Zealand.
