Skye Camanachd stalwart Donnie Martin has been recognised for his coaching activities with the ‘Lifetime Coaching Achievement of the Year’ award at the 2016 Highland Coaching Awards which were held at the Inverness Leisure Centre on Saturday 22 October 2016.
The awards are run by High Life Highland in partnership with sportscotland to recognise the outstanding contribution and significant impact of local coaches. These coaches enable quality sport and physical activity opportunities to happen in communities across the Highlands.
Donnie Martin has been involved with Skye Camanachd for over 40 years as player, youth coach, second team manager, first team manager, goal judge, referee, committee member, Chairman as well as taking a leading role in the Skye Camanachd Social Club. He was a player from his school days and continued to play into his forties. He has not only inspired generations of players over the years but he continues to do so as he currently coaches primary school children. He is an example through his dedication to the club and the community.
He spends every spare hour at the Skye Camanachd Clubhouse - both inside and out – maintain the pitch, cutting the grass and lining the pitch to make sure it is ready for shinty matches throughout the season.
Shinty is a big part of life in the Skye and Donald has been instrumental in ensuring that the club, which was formed in 1892, continues to grow and thrive.
The award is deserved recognition for someone who is well respected throughout Scotland’s shinty community.