31 January 2023
Marta Pluta enjoying World Curling Academy scholarship success
Having been a member of the officials’ team at the Winter Olympic Games Beijing 2022, Marta Pluta from Poland is fast becoming one of World Curling’s established umpires – most recently acting as Deputy Chief Umpire at the European Youth Olympic Festival.
However, she is currently adding another string to her bow. Last year, she became the latest curling recipient of a World Academy of Sport scholarship, to study for the Postgraduate Certificate, International Sports Management at the University of London.
This scholarship has become possible due to the partnership between the World Academy of Sport and the World Curling Federation, and Marta is busily immersed in her studies.
She explains, “The course is all online. I need to do the different subjects in a certain time and then I have an exam at the end.
“The target course length is about 18 months. Most recently, I’ve been doing financial aspects. Each semester I have three subjects. It’s interesting and something new. At the same time, it’s helping me to learn English.”
Because of the scholarship, Marta has all direct costs – such as course fees – covered.
Eventually, Marta hopes that succeeding in this qualification will help her build a career in sport.
“I hope it will help me to be able to find a job connected to sport, but especially to curling. I want to stay in curling as much as possible, but being from Poland, it is a little bit more challenging”, she explains.
And speaking about her role as a curling umpire, she adds, “I enjoy being a curling umpire, I enjoy meeting new people and at the same time carrying out quite an important role.”
The Postgraduate Certificate scholarship that Marta has gained is only one of a growing number of success stories and achievements for the World Curling Academy.
Under the guidance of World Curling Federation Head of Development, Scott Arnold, the number and range of learning courses on offer continue to grow, covering many aspects of curling – from ice-making to umpiring, from technical coaching to rules and regulations.
Much of this work is carried out online and by way of educational videos, but increasingly, in these post-pandemic times, the Academy’s activities include in-person practical involvement.
For more information about these opportunities visit the World Curling Academy website and the World Academy of Sport website.
Engage with the World Curling Federation on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Weibo and by searching the hashtag #curling
