Sean Becker

Sean Becker
Born (1975-07-07) 7 July 1975 (age 49)
Team
Curling clubRanfurly Curling Club
Ranfurly, New Zealand
SkipSean Becker
ThirdWarren Dobson
SecondScott Becker
LeadJames Becker
AlternateWarren Kearny
Mixed doubles
partner
Bridget Becker
Curling career
Member Association New Zealand
World Championship
appearances
5 (1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2012)
World Mixed Doubles Championship
appearances
4 (2008, 2010, 2011, 2019)
Pacific-Asia Championship
appearances
20 (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017)
Olympic
appearances
1 (2006)
Medal record

Sean Peter Becker (born 7 July 1975 in Ranfurly) is a New Zealand curler.[1] He is currently the coach of the New Zealand women's national team.[2]

Career

Becker was the skip for New Zealand teams which won three Pacific Curling Championships in 1998, 2003, and 2004. He has also played for the New Zealand team in five World Men's Championships, skipping the team at the 1999 (0-9; 10th), the 2004 (3-6; 7th), and the 2005 World Men's Curling Championship(5-6; 8th). He also played third for New Zealand at the 2001 (2-7; 9th) and 2012 World Men's Curling Championships (7-5; 5th). He represented New Zealand at the 2006 Winter Olympics as the team's skip. He was the only member of the New Zealand team to be originally from New Zealand. His was the first men's curling team to represent New Zealand at the Olympics; unfortunately, they finished last out of 10 teams without notching a victory. His curling team consisted of Lorne de Pape, Hans Frauenlob, Dan Mustapic and Warren Dobson.[3] He carried the flag at the opening and closing ceremonies for his nation.

Following the Olympic Games in 2006, Becker forged a new team of upcoming New Zealand talent including his younger brother, Scott. His team included Scott Becker, Rupert Jones, Warren Kearney and Warren Dobson. He then went on to skip New Zealand in the 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2017 Pacific-Asia Curling Championships and played third for New Zealand at the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016 Pacific-Asia Championships.

In mixed doubles play, Becker has represented New Zealand in four World Mixed Doubles Curling Championships with sister Bridget, winning a silver medal at the 2010 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship.

Personal life

Aside from curling, Sean Becker's occupation is a sheep farmer. Becker's family is well known as a curling family. Becker's mother, father, sister, grandfather, and younger brother have all represented New Zealand on an international scale. Becker's father, Peter Becker, is known as one of the first curlers to represent New Zealand internationally. He was also the coach of the women's team as well as the Secretary of the New Zealand Curling Association. Becker's sister, Bridget has been the skip of the New Zealand women's national curling team. His wife, Cassie, made her international debut with the New Zealand women's team in 2008.[4]

Career highlights

Awards

References

  1. ^ "Otago's sporting year". Otago Daily Times Online News. 6 January 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  2. ^ "2024 World Women's Curling Championship Media Guide" (PDF). Curling Canada. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  3. ^ Gilhooly, Daniel (8 February 2006). "Winter Olympics: NZ competitors a long shot". NZ Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  4. ^ McMurran, Alistair (8 November 2008). "Curling: Outstanding contribution by family". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 20 November 2017.