Ardnamurchan On The Up! | |
07 December 2017 It has not been an overnight success but Ardnamurchan Ladies have just completed their most successful season to date. The squad, many of whom have playing together since 2011, romped to a seven point triumph over second placed Cowal & Bute in Marine Harvest South Division 2 last season, maintaining a 100% record along the way. They scored 67 goals, conceding only 7 times, to confirm their place as the division’s outstanding team. There is plenty for Head Coach Lyndsay Bradley to be pleased about, “The girls have done really well,” she said. “It’s been a long time coming and this young squad has grown up together, benefiting from the experience of a couple of older heads.” The secret is hard work. The Ardnamurchan squad trains every Tuesday with the players at university doing their own thing and travelling back for games at the weekend. The club are based at Ardnamurchan High School which boasts both grass and astro pitches. “We’ve always had too many players available for each fixture,” said Bradley, “Which just shows the commitment.” The season’s only disappointment was a 7-1 Marine Harvest Challenge Cup Final defeat to a more experienced Glengarry side. Bradley points to a few factors that day which worked against her side. “Perhaps the pressure of the day got to us. We were underdogs last time we played in the Challenge Cup Final but this time we were hyped up with many people fancying us to do well, That, coupled with the big crowd and the bad start when we conceded a controversial penalty, went against us but take nothing away from Glengarry, they are a more experienced club than us and they have good players. However we can still take a lot from our run to the final. We played every round – no byes – and it was a positive and indeed difficult cup run with some great results along the way including a penalty shoot-out win over Strathglass so we’ll be better for the experience. We made up for it 100% when we clinched the league title.” More honours followed as Lyndsay Bradley was named Marine Harvest South Division 2 Coach of the Year at the Annual Marine Harvest Awards, having being named both Marine Harvest Development Coach of the Year and Marine Harvest Volunteer of the Year just 12 months earlier. Lucy MacMillan collected the Marine Harvest South Division 2 player of the year gong to complete a player and coach double for the 2015 club of the year winners. “Lucy co-captained the team with Kate Bradley and the dual role worked well. Lucy travelled from Glasgow to play for the side and whether she was asked to play in midfield or defence, she has been fantastic. Kate looked after things on the home front so they both played their part. “We have players from across the peninsula and there have been other top performers too. Eilidh Ross, who was Marine Harvest South Division 2 player of the year in 2016, is our top scorer with over 20 goals whist Annie MacDonald has been a main-stay in midfield. Joanne Ford and Claire Ford have been excellent in defence. Indeed Rachel Ford, who was 13 years old at the start of the season, has done really well to move up from our development squad during the season whilst a fourth Ford sister; Lisa, who is a first year pupil, has made an appearance from the bench towards the end of the season. “Iona Cameron and Rachel Ford received the improved player of the year awards for South 2 and, added to that, Kirsty Campbell was the development player of the year whilst Jean Campbell was the most improved development player.” Shinty is on the up in the Ardnamurchan area. The club’s development programme sees 40 players regularly playing at primary school level, over 20 players taking part at U14 level whilst 15-18 ladies players also regularly take the field – a massive proportion of young females in the area with 50% of High School girls playing. The Ardnamurchan men’s side is also trying to rebuild and there will be a meeting soon to look at the options for next season. It might be too soon to re-join the league but cup participation is a distinct possibility. Many of the Ard’ players from last season’s successful U14 side are now too old for that particular age group so the club will also field an U17 side in 2018. This sustainable model of building from a strong youth base has worked well for the ladies with their pathway providing 35 registered players for next season. Lyndsay Bradley goes on to explain how you accommodate such a large pool of players. “Next season, for the first time, we will field three ladies teams. Our senior squad will play in the Marine Harvest National Division 1. We will continue with our development team but we will also field a reserve side in South Division 2. “In effect, out development team from last season will move up to be our second team but we are certainly not expecting the same success in South 2 next season – it’s all about progression. The younger school-age players will be introduced into our development side so again the pathway is clear. “I expect next season to be quite different; a very difficult season. I’m very proud of the girls and how they have made the step up. We know it will be tough but the step up is the only way we will improve. It wouldn’t do us any good to stay put and we can learn from how well the likes of Skye and Lochaber have done in recent seasons. It’s all about positive influences. They make such a difference and you have to keep developing and moving forward. There is no point resting on recent successes but, to be realistic, scoring a goal next season will be an achievement. I recall the celebration when we scored our first ever goal in the early days so I’d almost liken it to that.” The commitment from the club is clear but they need help behind the scenes to continue their development. “Colm O’Rua and I talk about our plans for going forward. We are lucky to have a number of parents who regularly help, driving their children and the like, but they are just not confident enough to get involved on the coaching side.” Off the field support is crucial too and the club is grateful to main sponsors Strontian Stores. However with three teams to maintain next season, the club is ideally looking for a couple of more sponsors so that all three sides can be kitted out. “It’s a big deal for the area to have three shinty teams and for them to be doing so well. It’s something that the community can recognise and support. Fund raising is always a challenge and travel costs will also be high because of our location. “I’d like to thank everyone who has stuck with us on the journey so far and the support from parents and other volunteers has helped make this all possible.” Ardnamurchan are lucky to have Lyndsay Bradley and the most striking thing about talking shinty with her is her desire for the squad to continue to improve. There will be tough challenges ahead competing at national shinty level but there will be no resting on laurels and that’s an attitude that will surely serve Ard’ well. |