Al learned to curl in Winnipeg, using the traditional “Toba Tuck.” After his family moved to British Columbia, he curled at the Capilano Winter Club and enjoyed competing in junior curling bonspiels.
He later transitioned to a flat-foot delivery and continued his competitive success, winning numerous men’s bonspiels. He served as fifth player for Bernie Sparkes and his team at the 1987 Brier, and skipped his own team to a runner-up finish at the 1991 BC Men’s Curling Championship.
Al also became a provincial, national, and world-level curling official.
However, he became best known for his remarkable success as a curling coach. After volunteering for many years in British Columbia, he achieved his dream role in 2011 when he became the Swiss National Trainer and Coach. Following years of near-podium finishes, Swiss women’s teams captured World Championship titles in 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2016 after his arrival. He also guided two mixed doubles teams to world titles — all within the five years he lived and worked in Switzerland.
The logo created for this memorial fund incorporates imagery from Al’s tattoo. The six gold stars represent the six gold medals won by teams he supported as either team coach or national coach at World and European Championships.