The Camanachd Association has announced that Marine Harvest, the largest salmon farming company in Scotland, has extended their shinty sponsorship for a further three years at an official launch on Monday 2 February 2015.
The new six figure deal extends Marine Harvest’s support of the game for a further three years and it is the largest single sponsorship investment in the sport to date.
In a significant change, Marine Harvest takes over as sponsors of shinty’s National Premiership which will now be known as the Marine Harvest Premiership and their full package is as follows:
- Title sponsorship of all national and area senior leagues
- Title sponsorship of the national youth leagues
- Title sponsorship of the women’s senior shinty leagues and challenge cup
- Title sponsorship of the annual national shinty awards
- Title sponsorship of the annual shinty / hurling International
- Principal shirt sponsor of the Scotland senior shinty squad
- Title sponsor of the area development grants scheme
The new agreement extends the partnership between Marine Harvest and the sport of shinty to 30 years – it started back in 1988 - and represents one of Scotland’s longest running sport sponsorships.
Camanachd Association President Jim Barr said, “This is great news for shinty and represents the largest single sponsorship investment in the sport to date. The commitment of support shown by Marine Harvest over many years, and today extended for a further three, adds tremendous value to the continued promotion and development of our sport. Shinty is an important part of Scotland’s sporting and cultural heritage and remains a key part of community life in many areas across the country. The whole shinty community will be delighted that such a successful company continues to show such faith in our great game.”
Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd Managing Director Alan Sutherland is a familiar figure at shinty matches and he said, “We are delighted to continue our support for shinty, having seen it thrive and develop at all levels. We are very pleased to sponsor the Premier League and to continue our commitment to the Area and National leagues, as well as Women’s and Youth shinty. Marine Harvest is 50 years old and is the largest salmon farming company in Scotland. Shinty is a great fit with the areas where we farm and process our fish and we are proud to be able to play our part in supporting the game.”
Sportscotland, the national agency for the development of sport in Scotland, added their congratulations and Chief Executive Stewart Harris said, “We are delighted to see the partnership between the Camanachd Association and Marine Harvest continue. The relationship is remarkable in the length of the association and level of commitment shown by Marine Harvest, something that is clearly delivering significant benefit to the continued development of one of Scotland’s most iconic sports. We look forward to working with the Association and their partners in the years ahead.”
As well as supporting the men and women’s games Marine Harvest have been involved in a number of other shinty-related sponsorships including sponsorship of Cuillin FM’s Camanachd Live show which broadcasts live radio and online shinty match commentary throughout the shinty season.
Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd is the largest salmon farming company in Scotland producing over 48,000 tonnes in 2013. The company has four hatcheries, 5 freshwater loch sites and 46 sea farms situated in the Western Isles, Skye, Argyll, Wester Ross and Lochaber. Live fish are harvested at Mallaig and processed at the Blar Mhor processing plant in Fort William. In total more than 600 employees are employed at these locations.
Marine Harvest was the first company in Scotland to farm Atlantic salmon producing the first fish in 1971 and they hold the Royal Warrant for the supply of fresh farmed salmon to Her Majesty the Queen.
The company has also held the prestigious Label Rouge quality accreditation in France since 1992 and exports quality Scottish salmon to 21 countries around the world. The main markets for Marine Harvest fresh salmon are the UK, France, USA, Poland and China.
All Marine Harvest farms, harvest station and processing plant are audited and approved under the RSPCA Freedom Food animal welfare scheme
A new salmon smolt hatchery at Lochailort was opened in 2013 by First Minister Alex Salmond. The £16m facility is part of an £80m investment programme over five years.