Universidad Anáhuac pioneers floor curling, offering a blueprint for global sport development

World Curling is excited to announce the success of a floor curling pilot program at Universidad Anáhuac in Mexico City.

This innovative initiative, launched in September 2024 with support from Curling Mexico, World Floor Curling, and Rock Solid Productions, has not only introduced the dynamic sport of curling to a new generation of enthusiasts but has also led to the development of two academic courses designed to empower students to become sport development leaders in their communities.

These comprehensive course outlines are now available to universities and professors worldwide, offering a replicable model for expanding the reach of a new sport, as well as offering something new and unique for their sport management students.

Program in action

Professor of Leadership & Sport Management Luis Fernando Asbún Anaya, a visionary educator at Universidad Anáhuac, spearheaded the program by integrating floor curling into university workshops. With specialised FloorCurl equipment provided by Curling Mexico and Rock Solid Productions, Professor Asbún Anaya conducted three engaging workshops, each welcoming approximately 15 students. Participants delved into the rich history of curling and quickly grasped the rules of floor curling, culminating in an exciting tournament. Many students had never experienced curling before, yet their enthusiasm and competitive spirit were evident throughout the program, particularly during the tournament.

“It was motivating to see how competitive and fun the tournament became after [the students] progressively started to understand the strategy behind it during practice. It all began with take-outs, but the outcome was guards and tactics,” said Professor Asbún Anaya.

Building on success

Building on the pilot’s success, Professor Asbún Anaya has developed two pioneering courses: Floor Curling Workshop, which offers a blend of theory and practical sessions, introducing students to floor curling, and aiming to equip students with the knowledge to create or join floor curling communities and even aspire to compete; and Introducing & Developing a New Sport, a forward-thinking course focusing on researching the most effective ways to introduce a new sport to a community, covering essential considerations for successfully teaching and developing a sport in both theoretical and practical settings, with curling being used as the basis.

Professor Asbún Anaya added, “I am thankful for the opportunity, really proud of the end result, and I am certain these courses will help other passionate educators like me to reach talented individuals to create new communities based on sportsmanship and competitive fire.”

By providing these professionally developed academic course and workshop outlines, World Curling hopes to inspire universities and professors globally to replicate this successful model. The ultimate goal of this unique sport management offering is to empower students to become catalysts for sport growth in their communities.

Learn more about Floor Curling and how to get involved here.

To learn more about bringing these courses to your university, contact Jessica Cunha at [email protected].

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