They call themselves The Curlews, named after the oddball bird with a call you can’t ignore — and this group of dads-turned-curling-athletes is making unexpected noise. Boyd Kildey, Andrew Swain, Matthew Waterhouse, Cormac te Kloot and Nick Stamatiou come from worlds as different as real estate, car sales, corporate farming, and sports commentating, but that hasn’t stopped them from chasing a bold shared dream: repping Australia at the 2030 Winter Olympics in France.
Starting Out at Boondall Iceworld
The Curlews, as the team is known, formed after a group of mates attended a “Come and Try Curling” session at Boondall Iceworld. The venue, used mainly for ice hockey and skating, provided their first opportunity to experience the sport. With no dedicated curling rink in Australia, Boondall Iceworld’s multi-use surface became their training base. Despite the limitations of the ice, the facility has remained vital for their ongoing development.
Team Background and Early Progress
The team is made up of Boyd Kildey, Andrew Swain, Matthew Waterhouse, Cormac te Kloot and Nick Stamatiou. They work in fields including commercial leasing, media, logistics, physiotherapy and automotive management. Despite limited experience on ice, they quickly took to curling and began competing locally.
The Curlews participated in the Queensland Curling Association’s President’s Cup, where they drew level in the grand final after trailing by six points, forcing a replay. Although they did not claim the state title, their performance earned them the chance to represent Queensland at the 2025 Australian National Curling Championships in Naseby, New Zealand. Their journey has highlighted the dedication required to compete at national and international levels.
Training Challenges and National Competition
Training on repurposed hockey ice presents difficulties. Unlike specialist curling ice, hockey rinks provide less consistent conditions. Their first experience of purpose-built curling ice came in Naseby, where the only dedicated curling facility in the Southern Hemisphere is located. Access to quality ice is seen as essential for improving their skills.
Olympic Ambitions
Supported by grassroots sponsorship, including proceeds from cattle sales by Maynard Cattle Co., the team remains committed to its long-term goal of Olympic qualification. Boondall Iceworld continues to play a key role in their journey as they look ahead to future competitions and Olympic trials.
Published 5-July-2025