Team Mouat honoured by Scottish parliament
The curling season might be over, but the accolades continue for Team Mouat.
Skip Bruce Mouat, third Grant Hardie, second Bobby Lammie and lead Hammy McMillan Jr. were honoured Tuesday at Bute House, the official residence of Scotland’s first minister John Swinney, for their amazing accomplishments this season.
The club captured gold at the World Men’s Curling Championship and became the first to win four Grand Slam of Curling titles in a single season.
“It’s a real pleasure to be here today and to reflect on the journey that’s meant the world to me, both personally and just part of Team Mouat,” Mouat said during the reception. “I first went into curling, as a lot of you know, when I was seven years old and, like a lot of us, through local clubs. I quite quickly fell in love with not just the strategy of the game, the precision, the team dynamics, but most of all, with the people.
“Coming together with the guys from Team Mouat has been one of the best things that has happened to me in my career. We’ve built something really special on and off the ice. We trust each other, we push each other, and we’ve grown together over the years. The bond that we have is a big part of the success, and I feel lucky every day to be a part of it.”
Mouat and Lammie joined forces with cousins Hardie and McMillan in 2017 and found instant success on the ice. They were victorious in the first Grand Slam event they competed in together at the 2017 National, with Mouat becoming the youngest men’s skip to win a title in the series at age 23.
Since forming, they’ve been one of the most successful teams in curling, claiming 10 Grand Slam titles, four European titles, two world championships and silver at the Winter Olympics.
“Becoming a double world champion for Scotland is hard to put into words,” Mouat said. “It’s overwhelming, it’s emotional, it’s incredibly humbling. We’ve come through this unbelievable season and to be able to stand on the podium with the Saltire (Scottish flag) behind us, and with our family and friends singing Flower of Scotland in the stands is something I’ll be able to carry with me forever.”
Roaring out of the gate in the fall, Mouat won three consecutive Grand Slam titles at the HearingLife Tour Challenge, Co-op Canadian Open and KIOTI National.
He defeated Switzerland’s Yannick Schwaller for gold at the men’s worlds in April and was victorious in the rematch just one week later to take the AMJ Players’ Championship and make Grand Slam history.
Mouat, who was also named one of the inaugural skips for Rock League, wrapped up the season earlier this month by earning silver with Jennifer Dodds at the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship.
The team hopes their success internationally translates to pride domestically.
“I’d like to think that it’s kind of motivation and inspiration that we provide to the country,” Lammie told The Curling Group’s Devin Heroux. “Just kind of give everyone an opportunity to back something that is inherently Scottish, get behind us, and do our best to make our country proud.”
While Mouat had a season for the ages, they’re hoping the best is yet to come with the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina on the horizon for next year.
“We’d love everybody to come on our journey,” McMillan told Heroux. “It’s not finished yet. Hopefully, there’s a lot more exciting things to come in the near future.”
Mouat wasn’t the only one to bring home the hardware this season. Scottish teams won mixed doubles gold at the Winter World University Games, women’s gold and men’s silver at the World Senior Curling Championships, mixed doubles silver at the World Wheelchair Curling Championships and men’s bronze at the World Junior Curling Championships.
Even the lone Grand Slam men’s title Mouat didn’t win this season still went to Scotland. Ross Whyte skipped his club to their first championship in the series at the WFG Masters in January.
Despite Scotland’s international triumphs, several curling clubs at home are facing challenges to stay afloat. The issue was something Mouat and his teammates were keen to discuss during their time at Bute House.
“I think a lot of ice rinks are really struggling,” Hardie told Heroux. “Perth, Inverness, Aberdeen, they’re all under pressure, and I think they all are. Hopefully, our success highlights how well the teams are doing at the top level. We get great funding through British Sport as well as Scottish Sport, so for (Swinney) to see how well we are doing, hopefully, encourage funding into Scotland will be the best outcome tonight.”
Mouat addressed it too during his speech. He not only thanked the volunteers, coaches and others behind the scenes who have helped him along the way, but he also called for more support for curling clubs.
“They’re not just buildings, they’re where journeys like ours begin,” he said. “Where young curlers begin to dream, where friendships are made, and we have to protect them, invest in them, and make sure that they’re there for the next generation.”
Mouat added: “Our sport is steeped in history. Scotland invented this sport. The medals that you see in this room are now part of our history. Curling is a great Scottish success story at risk from high costs, and we recognize that people are struggling all over. We want to work with you to hopefully encourage a better way for facilities to continue and while always rallying around Scotland’s most successful sport, curling.”