The governing body has promoted two of its current competitions and development officers to replace the retiring director of competitions and development, Keith Wendorf.

From July 2018, Switzerland’s Eeva Roethlisberger will lead the competition side of the WCF, while Scott Arnold will take charge of development.

It is claimed creating two roles for this vacancy recognises the rapid growth that curling is experiencing, most notably with multiple new members joining, an expanding camps and courses programme and the introduction of the Curling World Cup.

Wendorf has been with the WCF since the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City and will step down from his position on July 1, once the 2017-2018 season has concluded.

"The work Keith has done for our sport over the past 16 years has been second to none," WCF President Kate Caithness said.

"His dedication to, and knowledge of, curling has been invaluable as our sport has grown in the last two decades.

"Keith has helped to build a first-class schedule of competitions and development programmes and established a team of competitions and development officers (CDO) who are now ready to carry on that work.

"I wish Keith all the very best in the future - he will be sorely missed.

"But, I also look forward to continuing to work with Eeva, Scott and the CDO team as they drive our sport into the future."

Wendorf added: "It’s hard to retire from one of the best jobs in the world, but it is now time for the next generation to take over.

"I feel my legacy to the sport is leaving an excellent group of competitions and development officers, who are well prepared to continue the development of our sport.

"Over the years that I have been with the World Curling Federation, I have enjoyed working with many wonderful and dedicated people.

"I am now leaving a strong organisation and happily believe our competitions and development programmes have steadily improved during my employment."

With these new roles and the introduction of five new events from 2018, including the four-leg Curling World Cup series and pre-World Curling Championships qualifier, the WCF claims further recruitment will be undertaken.

Roethlisberger and Arnold have been shadowing Wendorf and will continue to do so throughout the 2017-2018 season.

"I am honoured and excited to have been appointed as the new head of competitions for the World Curling Federation," Roethlisberger said.

"I am looking forward to working closely with everybody in the World Curling Federation, but also with our Local Organising Committees to ensure we keep delivering first-class championships in the future."

Arnold added: "With the accelerated growth of our sport worldwide I am excited to take on the challenges of development.

"In this role, I will work with our member associations to empower them to further develop curling in their countries.

"We cannot forget the successes we have had, including 20 years of camps and courses in Fuessen, Germany.

"Enhancing those experiences as well as others being provided by the World Curling Federation today will always be a priority."

Arnold helped organise an event in New Zealand in August of last year as part of Stepping Stones, the WCF's development programme.

The New Zealand Curling Association and Australian Curling Federation teamed-up to deliver the programme to its junior, men's, mixed doubles and women's teams in Naseby.

The first event of the programme was held in August 2016 in Estonia.

The scheme is designed to introduce athletes to tools that will help with performance and mental analysis. 

The course also goes into detail about how best to plan out the season so that the athletes can aim to reach their peaks at the right moments.