2016 Womens Camanachd Association Annual General Meeting | |
04 December 2016 The Womens Camanachd Association Annual General Meeting took place at The Isles of Glencoe Hotel on Saturday 26 November 2016. It was a fairly straightforward event which was boosted by news that two new clubs will be entering the competitive competitions next season. Oban Lorn, who are affiliated to the Oban Lorn men’s team, will compete in Marine Harvest South Division 2 whilst the English Shinty Association will enter the Marine Harvest Challenge Cup. The ESA stated their willingness to travel regardless of whether they are drawn home or away although there may need to be a compromise over the venue if the travel is too great. These additions increase to nineteen the number of competing teams in women’s senior shinty and they are further evidence of growth within the women’s game. WCA President Lisa MacColl praised the contribution made over a number of years by Skye’s Marion Gillies who stood down from the role of Secretary. Lisa McColl said Marion, a former Marine Harvest WCA volunteer of the year, had, “gone above and beyond in her many roles”. Camanachd Association President Jim Barr added his thanks saying that Marion had been, “a faithful and dedicated WCA representative at Camanachd Association meetings.” Lisa MacColl was re-elected as Chair whilst Deborah Cameron remains as Treasurer. Lyndsay Bradley leads Fund Raising with Siobhan Thomson also staying on as Publicity Officer. However the posts of Secretary, Fixtures Secretary, a second Publicity Officer and Events Organiser remain unfilled. However some progress has been made in filling these roles since the AGM with announcements expected shortly. Siobhan Thomson also agreed to be the new WCA representative at Camanachd Association meetings. Strathglass proposed that the length of North and South Division games should be increased from 35 minutes top 40 minutes each half. The proposal didn’t receive the required support although it was agreed that individual fixtures could be played 40 minutes each way, and ten-a-side, with the agreement of both the competing clubs. After the success of the 2016 Valerie Fraser and Marine Harvest Challenge Cup Finals at An Aird, it was agreed to trial all cup finals in Fort William with semi-finals alternating between the North and South. If the trial is successful, a proposal along these lines is expected to the 2017 WCA AGM. A committee will review the annual North v South fixtures with changes such as U14/U15 9-a-side, U21 and senior clashes mooted. Scotland Ladies Head Coach Stuart Reid reported on the international year. There were three open international sessions which were well attended. The initial Scotland squad of 30 players was cut down to a final pool of 20 players who had a preparation match against Beauly U17 ahead of the international. Dublin proved to be very strong opposition and this was a first meeting against a top level team for the Scotland Ladies so there are many lessons to learn. The match was the opening game of a three year series with Dublin. The 2017 encounter will take place in Dublin whilst there will be a return to Inverness the year after. Katie Drain was thanked for her development work. There were well-received Development Days held in Inverness, Lochgilphead and Glasgow whilst over 70 players attended Shinty Camp. The Camanachd Association were thanked for their Coaching Education support and the WCA is particularly keen that there is at least one trained person at each club. There is also the possibility of a monthly masterclass series where a mixture of WCA and Camanachd Association coaches take over another club’s training. These sessions would be open to all to attend and there would be a focus on key areas of player improvement. |