Six Skye Camanachd players attended the recent 2019 Gregor Cameron Contracts National Player Development Camp at Strathallan School in Forgandenny, Perthshire.
Ross Gordon, Archie MacDonald, Calumn MacKay, Cameron MacKay, Jamie MacKay and Ross MacKinnon were part of a group of 74 of the country’s brightest young shinty prospects who gathered at the Camp from Sunday 14 July 2019 until Thursday 18 July 2019.
All six players have represented Skye at second team level with Ross Gordon and Ross MacKinnon now part of the first team squad.
Each player in attendance was aged between 14 and 17 and had been nominated by their youth or senior club to take part in the Camp, designed to offer the very best in the technical, tactical, physical and psychological aspects of the game.
The camp started with a visit from Scotland Manager Garry Reid who delivered an excellent team building session. Throughout the week, the young players went on to receive specialist training from Camanachd Association coaches and International players based around all the key skills, techniques and tactics of the game.
Professional Boxer Charlie Flynn, who won gold at the 2014 Commonwealth games, delivered an inspiring motivational talk to all the players and Alex Cleland, assistant manager at St Johnstone FC and ex-Rangers and Everton player was on hand to share his experiences as a playing professional and coach. Also on hand was Gill Stevenson, one of the top strength and conditioning coaches in the country who spoke to the budding shinty stars on the importance of strength and conditioning and the exercises they need to incorporate into their weekly routine.
A number of awards were presented at the end of Thursday’s session. The award winners were:
Player of the Camp: Cameron Bremner (Glenurquhart);
Most Committed Player: Cluanie Fraser (Kingussie);
Most Improved Player: Scott Harvey (Bute)
Camp organiser Ronald Ross commented: “The National Player Development Camp has once again proved a great success. Since its inception over 25 years ago, the camp has helped hundreds of young players from across the country to improve all aspects of their game from the technical to the physical elements of the sport. The camps are also a great way for the participants to meet other aspiring shinty players, forging ties and friendships throughout the sport. I would also like to thank Gregor Cameron for kindly sponsoring this year’s Camp.”