West Coast Club / Member Meeting Report. | |
26 October 2008 The latest Club / Member meeting took place in the The meeting was very well attended with Skye Camanachd represented by club secretary Keith MacKenzie, treasurer Alasdair Bruce, second team manager Davie MacVicar and youth coach Willie Cowie. Kinlochshiel were represented by Alice MacRae, Keith Loades, Johnston Gill, Willie MacRae, Ray Coghill, and Albert Loades. Lochcarron were represented by George Hendry, Kenny MacKenzie and Alastair MacKenzie. Uist Camanachd were represented by Eoghan Stewart. Highland Councillor Biz Campbell was also in attendance. The Camanachd Association were represented by President Duncan Cameron and Competitions Director David MacMaster. Camanachd Association Chief Executive Gill MacDonald sent her apologies as did Communications Director Donald Stewart. In his opening remarks, President Duncan Cameron said that he wanted to hear the clubs’ views on shinty. He said that it was important that we continue to modernise the game and highlighted the move to summer shinty as being an example of such a success. He said that shinty faced many challenges such as;
Mr Cameron’s main concern is engaging with people in local communities and the Club / Member meetings were a vital this respect. The Camanachd Association has a total of 8 staff to run the game, organise events etc. Mr Cameron accepted that it would be beneficial to advertise the work carried out by the Association officials Mr Cameron is asking shinty clubs to think where shinty will be in 10 years time? The meeting opened with a discussion on youth shinty. Those present felt that more youth shinty events were required. Players look forward to such events and it was important that the Camanachd Association ran competitions for the young players to aim for. Insufficient budget had in the past been given as a reason for not running competitions and it was felt that the Camanachd Association should identify funding for such events. The North of Scotland 6s has recently been run by Skye Camanachd and the cost involved was nominal. The club had received positive feedback from the clubs who participated. The National 6s was not timetabled into this year’s or last year’s youth shinty programme and therefore it was suggested that there was a reduction in the number of youth shinty events run by the Association. Mr Cameron agreed that youth events were important and said that he would address the points raised. It was felt that the under 14 structure was good with 3 team Local Leagues and, depending where a club finished in these leagues, they went forward to North Divisions 1, 2, and 3. However Skye had had difficulty getting teams to come to Portree for North Division 3 matches in which the Skye Camanachd under 14 B team participate. Kinlochshiel had similar problems in North Division 2. The appropriate structure was there, however the problems arouse because clubs could not encourage enough volunteers to take their youth players to matches. The annual National Player Development Camp was a great success and it was suggested that this could be run more often, even on a regionalised bases. Mr Cameron floated the idea of local communities running their own shinty competitions with funding from the Camanachd Association. However the feeling from the clubs was that local competition already took place and what the youth players need is North and National events to compete in. The clubs present thought that it would be beneficial for those members of staff that are involved in the game’s development to visit the clubs on an annual basis. The one day “Shinty Festivals” were very popular but they no longer happen. Current high profile players could be encouraged to attend with Ronald Ross Mr Cameron said that the Camanachd Association would receive funding for specific targeted aims which meant that they had to “tick boxes” to satisfy funders. This could mean running shinty sessions in localities where shinty isn’t currently played. Those present thought this was very well but they thought that the various shinty heartlands in It was said that there was merit in having “rolling subs” especially at youth level. This would also allow substitutions for blood injuries and would keep the game flowing for spectators. Midweek fixtures had been suggested in the past but Mr Cameron said that was difficult getting a consensus from clubs on this. A discussion on referees took place and those present felt saddened that referees John MacLeod and Calum Duff who are now lost to the game. Mr Cameron said that there was a structure in place to support referees. Mr MacMaster said they receive feedback on performances from Assessors and that all clubs received a letter from the Association in relation to appropriate behaviour. It was suggested that referees should indicate what a foul had been given for and this would help defuse many situations. The rising cost of running shinty clubs was discussed and Mr Cameron said that any clubs with difficulty in this regard should contact the Association. However no clubs had done so and those participating in the Nation Premier League were comfortable with their financial commitments. The quality of shinty sticks and shinty balls was discussed as was the possibility of some youth sides amalgamating to take part in competitions. It was suggested that fund raising for the 2009 under 21 shinty / hurling should start now. Mr MacMaster said that a lack of fund raising contributed to the difficulties in the 2008 event but International Committee meetings would take place earlier for next year’s clash. There is a possibility that the 2009 international could take place in It was pointed out that the financing of Referee of the Year medal, which honours the late Johnny “Ach” MacRae was done by Kinlochshiel but this is rarely recognised. The meeting lasted 2 hours and those present thanked Mr Cameron and Mr MacMaster for their attendance. |