The Camanachd Association has confirmed they are feeling the consequences of COVID-19 and have followed government guidance advising all staff to work from home at this time.
In an update to members, they also set out some of the opportunities for clubs during the current period and said they will be working closely with member clubs in order to ensure that we are all best prepared to come through this situation and ready to return to sporting action once the worst has abated.
The Association’s primary concern was the health and wellbeing of members and the communities in which shinty operates so shinty cannot be played at present.
As a result having discussed the current situation with insurers the association has been advised that no shinty - playing or training - will be insured until further notice and any club going against Government guidance and Camanachd Association guidance will not be covered by insurance. The suspension of the shinty season does not, however, mean that members and clubs should grind to a halt.
There is, of course, the possibility that if shinty is unable to return for some time, some competitions may be unable to run fully this year. As such the Association is working between the staff, committees and board of directors to create plans which outline options.
The Association hopes to be able to share these when there is greater clarity regarding the longevity of isolation and are considering a number of options that may or may not be utilised to ensure shinty is played when it is safe to do so. This could include local midweek fixtures and / or Sunday fixtures / finals however it is impossible to predict what may be practical at this time.
Whist some sports have laid out a timeline upon when they expect to return, shinty’s governing body believes to do so at present is simply guess work as no one can predict the volatility of such a situation so they are planning for a number of eventualities.
In the interim period, where there is no shinty to be played, there are still options for shinty clubs to progress the following:
- Club Mark Accreditation - The Camanachd Association Development Team has been running a successful Club Mark Accreditation Scheme for the past four years and this would be a perfect time to engage with Development Officers and improve the governance and running of clubs. Only one or two volunteers from each club are required to get this moving.
- A short term working group will consult all clubs in Argyll & Bute on what support is required to progress shinty. An independent consultant (Neil MacDonald) has agreed to lead the consultation phase with Camanachd Association Director Roddy McCuish and Regional Development Officer Euan McMurdo part of the working group to consider feedback. Anyone wishing to be part of the group should contact RDO Euan McMurdo directly.
- A focused review of shinty competitions will start with a consultation being sent to all clubs and anyone interested in being part of this online working group should contact Astie Cameron directly. The group will be chaired by Camanachd Association Vice President Steven MacKenzie
- Furthermore, funding streams are almost all still fully operational and this is the perfect opportunity for clubs to use the time that would’ve been used preparing for matches to help sow the seeds of success and development for years to come.