As far as New Year resolutions go, finding a new sponsor for the 2017 Camanachd Cup will be a priority for the Camanachd Association.
It’s been mooted that a £30,000 bounty will secure sponsorship of shinty’s blue riband event.
Out-going Camanachd Association Chief Operating Officer Torquil Macleod said, “There’s huge goodwill towards shinty. On one hand there’s the game’s history and culture whilst there’s also a romantic view of the game. Even those with a vague awareness of shinty will have a positive view on the Camanachd Cup and all it entails.”
The Camanachd Cup is without doubt one of sports oldest and most iconic trophies.
Shinty is embedded within countless communities and is one of the country’s most indigenous sports but what are the benefits to any prospective sponsor? Torquil goes on, “There are obvious profile benefits for a new sponsor including a live television coverage and coverage in local, national and social media.”
“The Camanachd Cup Final itself offers a unique hospitality experience and a great day out and it should be on the bucket-list of any sports fan.”
Indeed the chance to sponsor the Camanachd Cup is a rare opportunity in itself. Marine Harvest has of course been faithful sponsors for other shinty competitions and they move into their 30th year supporting the game in 2017.
Glenmorangie were the first Camanachd Cup sponsors. Their association with shinty stretches back to the 1976/7 season when they pledged £1,000 for the sole advertising rights for the Camanachd Cup Final and home Shinty / Hurling internationals. Glenmorangie then became the main sponsors of the Camanachd Cup in 1983. SSE Scottish Hydro grabbed the baton in 2006, beginning a partnership which lasted until 2015.
The 2016 Camanachd Cup ran without a sponsor and that is something the game’s governing body hopes to rectify soon.