Back in the day, long skirts were the dress code and women could not play the sport at Olympic level.
Now, although curling was still male-dominated, women were respected equals and there were plenty of opportunities for all, Blackstone Hill Curling Club member Kathryn McConnell, of Alexandra, said.
"I’m just one of the boys, really. It’s a lot of fun."
Mrs McConnell started curling about 12 years ago after having grown up in a curling family in Oturehua.
Her brothers and late father Irv McKnight all curled for the Blackstone club, her father reaching the "My Lord" ranking in curling, the highest in New Zealand, Mrs McConnell said.
When she was growing up, women did not curl in her district, Mrs McConnell said.
But gradually women started picking up curling stones and now there was even a women’s curling club in Naseby, she said.
Mrs McConnell was one of two women among the 32 people who played in this week’s round of the McRae Trophy at Ice Inline in Alexandra, and said she enjoyed the camaraderie of the sport and its sporting style.
"It’s like bowls on ice."
She also partakes in the consumption of a shot of something when invited during play, as permitted by curling etiquette but, a teetotaller, does not drink the traditional "wee dram".
"I drink lemonade instead."
The final round of the McRae Trophy will be held at Ice Inline at the end of the month.
