Team Richardson of Canada are set to become the first full team to be inducted into the World Curling Hall of Fame ©WCF

Team Richardson of Canada are set to become the first full team to be inducted into the World Curling Federation (WCF) Hall of Fame.

The team, comprised of Ernie and brother Garnet – who was also known as Sam – and their cousins Arnold and Wes Richardson, will be given the honour at the Closing Ceremony of the ongoing World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Lethbridge in Canada.

Ernie and Arnold will be receive the WCF Hall of Fame silver salver, while Garnet and Wes will be inducted posthumously.

They will be inducted into the "curlers" category, which recognises "international curlers who have demonstrated world championship level playing ability, sportsmanship and character, and who have achieved extraordinary distinction and outstanding results in the sport of curling".

The team won the Scotch Cup, which became the World Championships in 1989, in 1959, 1960 and 1962.

It was originally just played between the legendary Canadian rink, skipped by Ernie Richardson, and Scotland, before the United States joined in 1961 and Sweden became part of the tournament the following year.

The team won the Scotch Cup, which became the World Championships in 1989, in 1959, 1960 and 1962 ©WCF
The team won the Scotch Cup, which became the World Championships in 1989, in 1959, 1960 and 1962 ©WCF

"We were thrilled to get the call from the World Curling Federation and to hear that my team-mates would be joining me in the World Curling Hall of Fame," said Ernie Richardson.

"We were always big believers in the value of teamwork, and we couldn’t be more thankful that the selection committee gave us the privilege of being the first team ever named to the World Curling Hall of Fame."

WCF President Kate Caithness said they were deserving of the honour of becoming the first team to be inducted.

"The World Curling Hall of Fame exists to recognise outstanding contribution to our sport, whether that be through on ice success or off ice endeavours," she said.

"We usually induct individuals under two categories - curlers and builders.

“However, on Saturday we are going to make curling history and for the first time ever induct an entire curling team.

“The submission we received for this team stated, ‘a skip is only as good as his teammates’. 

"It was that reason we felt one of curling’s finest teams, who were the first world champions, should be recognised equally, from lead to skip.”