Newtonmore Camanachd Club

Newsletter 8 2008

1] Macaulay Cup We went in considerable numbers to support the team in Oban hoping for our first national title in 22 years. Having eliminated both Kingussie and Fort William we were cautiously optimistic despite injuries and suspensions. Alas it was not to be and we can have few complaints about our loss to Inverary who played much better than us, both individually and as a team. Now that we have a taste of a national final again here's hoping it becomes a regular occurrence.

2] Fixtures and other results The updated fixture list is on the website and we will try and update it for changes. There is now a run of 2nd team home games though there may be more changes so keep an eye on the posters also. The highlight of last month for the 2nds was the narrow 4-3 reverse to Fort William in the Strathdearn cup on the same day that the 1sts lost 3-2 to Kingussie.

Fortunately both teams returned to winning ways on 30th Aug: Richard Gall of Fort William who was a goal judge at the 2nds game against Kilmallie said that our second goal created by Drew McDonald and Andrew Aitken and scored by Chico Macdonald was the best goal he had seen this season and I think the crowd would agree.

3] Discipline The high profile absence of three first team players from the Cup Final was really disappointing given the players determination at the beginning of the season to improve on a poor disciplinary record from last season that cost us a number of matches. The 1sts have had a 30% reduction in bookings this year which is good. It is all very well blaming poor refereeing which is certainly a contributory factor, but it is individual player's reactions to fouls and refereeing decisions that are the issue as the referees are not going to change.

4] Website Many thanks to Jim Watt for designing and setting up the clubs website despite his busy schedule. It was never the intention to prevail upon Jim to be involved for 18 months, but technological ability is obviously not a strongpoint of the club and we could not find anyone to take it over. I am delighted to report that we now have a new volunteer. He is Peter Hebdon, currently living in Northumberland, but who is moving to his new home in Newtonmore as soon as he can sell his house. Peter has already taken over the site and is now waiting on Mark, Rob and myself getting the information and photos together to get the profiles and honours section of the site updated. Any ideas for additions/improvements are of course very welcome.

5] Coaching project All the schools now have helmets and balls and the first of the Scottish sticks arrived on 23rd August. Tony Mullender has very kindly been taping and gripping clubs. However there are over 120 clubs still requiring this to be done before we can get them out to schools. I am looking for volunteers to do 10 each! Tape and grips will be provided and I would like to get this task completed as quickly as possible so that the schools can start putting shinty on the curriculum.

The withdrawal of the funding originally offered by Kingussie has damaged relations between the clubs and led them to pull out of coaching support as well. Paul Mellis has offered to help, but I would welcome further offers of help from people who have already coached or who would be interested in learning. Jane Nicol who is the p/t PE teacher for primary schools in Grantown will be doing three after school clubs herself at that end of the valley after Xmas.

6] Camanachd Association Consultation David Cheyne, Graham Irvine and myself were the clubs representatives at the event on 21st Aug. We were frankly a little disappointed at the apparent lack of leadership from the President. However hopeful signs were that Donald Stewart the Communications Director seems to understand the need for the Association to wield more political influence by getting shinty on the curriculum elsewhere, training PE teachers in shinty coaching and getting better pitches [as well as getting shinty as a demonstration event in Glasgow in 2014]. An example of what can be achieved came from one of the Women Camanachd stalwarts who has managed to get shinty into all the schools in Fife, hardly a shinty heartland!

7] Marathon Many thanks to all the business who sponsored a runner/group of runners: even more thanks to those of them that have paid!!! Could anyone who has outstanding money please give it to Norman or Glen as soon as possible.

The event itself was a great success and we want to make a variation on the same theme an annual event. Apart from raising about £2000 it was great to involve so many people.

8] Family Sunday It was a wash out and feedback from supporters was that we must have a tent and music next year, possibly more a Ceilidh event with youngsters playing and the possibility of dancing.

One major criticism was the presence of the Shows which stopped some parents bringing their children because of the expense of the rides on the very day when we want as many children as possible to come. As a result of this and a number of other problems that arose with the Shows we have written to the Games Committee indicating that the Shows will not be allowed to use the Eilan grounds or facilities again.

9] Rearranged EIS Cup The competition for the under 14s will now take place on Monday 1st September

10] Old/unused sticks and helmets I'm still looking for donations!!!

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