“Shinty Turf” Pitches Move A Step Closer. | |
30 November 2009 Camanachd Association President Duncan Cameron took a step closer to his aim of achieving greater use of all-weather surfaces for shinty matches.
The Camanachd Association Board of Directors considered a report explaining that the latest Third Generation (3G) artificial grass surfaces are more than fit for purpose and agreed that such surfaces would be acceptable for the playing of all levels of shinty.
FIFA have already certified such surfaces for international football and the IRB has done like-wise for rugby.
The Board noted that natural grass would remain the preferred and usual surface for shinty, but artificial grass professionally certified as 'Shinty Turf' would be an acceptable alternative in the areas where regular play was not possible for climatic or other conditions.
It is not anticipated that shinty clubs would be able to provide such a new facility independently as cost alone would likely rule this out. Scotland's national strategy for sport envisages the quality outdoor facilities of the future being provided largely by the sharing of school and other community resources. An immediate benefit of the Board's decision is that shinty playing communities, with the support of the Camanachd Association, would be able to pursue the inclusion of a full size 'Shinty Turf' pitch within any proposed community/sporting project in their area. It is unfortunate that such facilities have already been completed in areas such as Portree and Dingwall where the all-weather surface is not large enough to host a senior shinty match.
Camanachd Association President Duncan Cameron said, “Approving the use of 'Shinty Turf' is just a first step and it may be some time before a new full size facility becomes a reality but, if over the next few years three or four were created, it would go a long way to reducing the problems caused by our increasingly wetter weather.”
Fort William midfielder and Scotland international Niall MacPhee, whose work involves the testing and accrediting of the latest sports surfaces said, “I look forward to my first game on a full sized pitch. This acceptance of the latest synthetic surfaces could be a significant decision. With an increasing number of potential ‘shinty turf pitches’ being installed it is a great first step to make these facilities open to use, particularly in primary and secondary schools.”
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