Perth curling stalwart Pete Loudon’s outstanding contribution to the sport has been recognised.
The former world champion and winter Olympian was honoured to be named as the recipient of the 2020 Ice Diamond Award.
Scottish Curling’s prize night was unable to take place due to the coronavirus but winners across various categories were announced online.
Pete’s long and impressive chairmanship of the Perth Masters tournament, his coaching work and obvious talent as a player, made him a standout candidate for the award.
“I’m delighted and honoured to receive the award,” said Pete.
“It is mostly for all of the work I have done with the Perth Masters and that is very much a team effort.
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“Having achieved so much as a player and a coach, you always want to give something back to the game. That has always been my view on it, whatever sport you are in.
“It maybe takes something like this to think about what you have achieved. It spurs me on to continue pushing the boundaries, particularly with the Perth Masters.
“It has evolved over the years, this year in particular with the men’s and ladies’ events running at the same time.
“You want to stay ahead of all the other competitions out there that are trying to be some of the biggest and best.
“We’ve got a model now that works with the right people.
“Everyone is clear with what they do and the whole weekend gives you a buzz.”
Pete was also a member of the organising committee for the World Junior Curling Championship held in Perth in 2011.
As a player, he won the world title in 1999, the Europeans in 2007, 1999 and 1996, and the Scottish Curling Championships in 2004, 2001, 1999 and 1995.
He also competed in the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics for Great Britain.
All of this success might never have been, however, if Pete had decided to take the rugby path instead of curling.
“I was fortunate to travel the world and play in some cracking places,” said Pete, who is currently the vice chair of Perth Curling Club 1988.
“At the time, you take that for granted. You look back now and you see the appeal curling has across the world.
“There was a bit of a watershed moment when I was 18 or 19. I was playing rugby with Perthshire at the same time as curling.
“I really enjoyed my rugby at that point, but as I graduated into the first team I got overlooked for a few games.
“I wanted to represent my country.
“I was becoming more involved in the curling, not at the top level. But I was playing with a group of boys who I thought had a good chance.
“With the seasons being the same, I had to make a choice and went with curling. I still get stick from the boys I played rugby with 35 years later.
“But I definitely made the right choice.”
Scottish Curling was quick to thank Pete for his contribution to the sport.
It noted: “Scottish Curling is delighted to recognise Pete’s contribution to the development and promotion of the sport by awarding him with this year’s Ice Diamond Award.
“Congratulations Pete and thank you for your dedication.”
