Newtonmore Camanachd Club

September 2009

1] On the Field The 1sts have continued their fine form with home victories against Oban, Bute and Inverary. The 8-0 result against Inverary was a particularly good performance throughout the game. We are still 4 points clear of Kingussie, but our last three games are away to Inverary, Lochaber and Kingussie [see below]. The 2nds have consolidated their mid table position and had an excellent 2-0 victory against Fort William with a very young team.

Our under 14s were on the wrong end of a 12-0 thrashing by an older and bigger Skye team. The youngsters seemed to have learned well from the experience and held a very large Fort William team to just 2 goals. In the return match against Skye on Friday 25th the score was 8-0. The good news is that all but one of the Skye team move up to the next age level and we only lose two of our players.

Our Primary school team handed out a shinty lesson to Kingussie beating them 11-0 [a score we could actually display on the scoreboard!] to win the new Macpherson Cup.

2] Remaining fixtures
3rd October 1sts v Lochaber away 2nds v Glenurquhart away
10th October no fixtures
17th October 2nds v Kinlochshiel away
24th October 1sts v Inverary away 2nds v Skye away*
31st October Shinty Hurling International Inverness
7th November 1sts Kingussie away

* This was a home fixture, but we are trying to arrange a neutral venue so that we can get the goalmouth areas and centre spot returfed

3] Tots kit sponsorship We would like to buy new kit for the 5-9 year old players. Would anyone be prepared to pay for the £350 sponsorship needed for the strips? Strictly speaking it's the school's responsibility, but it's all for the good of the game.

4] Creag Meagaidh open day Congratulations to Rory Richardson for organising such a great event despite the weather. The new shinty pitch beside the car park was ideal and we saw a tot's event, under 13s and veterans 6's. Kincraig came out on top in the veterans, Laggan overcame Beauly in the under 13s and the Newtonmore tots beat Laggan/Kincraig in their games. Judging by the state of some of the veterans afterwards it's just as well the pitch wasn't any bigger! It was great to see the skills on display and perhaps veteran's matches will be a more regular occurrence in the next few years.

5] Clubhouse improvements The end railing has been removed and new steps installed. Together with the gate will make the clubhouse area safer for children on match days. Repairs have also taking place to the wall beside the gas storage tank.

We are going ahead with the creation of a path to the rear of the clubhouse which will allow wheelchairs round without going onto the pitch. Many thanks to the Scottish Community Foundation for a grant towards the cost of this work.

The new cupboards for merchandise are now in position and a new merchandise range has been ordered. We are selling off the end of the previous range and old team jerseys at massive discounts!

Now that the flag is in position that's the finish of the entrance scheme that started three years ago!

6] Superstitions There has always been one about not having team photos taken just prior to a match; Blasta doesn't want the MacTavish cup to leave as we have won every game since it went in their window. I've heard of someone who is superstitious about the pants they wear….any other weird and wonderful ones?!

7] Fundraising. Tickets for the Annual dinner dance to be held on Saturday 5th December at the Highlander Hotel are available from Eddy Harrigan. Music is the party night combination of Kenny Nairn and Ian Grover. Tickets are £20 for members and £22 for non-members. Please contact Eddy at eddy.harrigan@hotmail.com to reserve your tickets.

A Family Race Night will be organised for later in the year. The September event to build on the success of last year's marathon didn't go ahead, but I hope that the players will organise another fundraising event.

8] Advertising Boards This is a really important source of income for us and it gives those that advertise great exposure. [The ad boards have featured regularly in the Oban Times Spot the Ball competition!] If you know of someone who has a business and might be interested why not ask them on our behalf. The cost is only £350 for 3 years [including the provision of the board] or three payments of £150, £105 & £105.

9] Clubhouse roof We have been wanting to clear it of moss and clean it for some time. The process will risk damage to the roof tiles and the problem we have is that we cannot find any tiles of the same type anywhere. Can anyone help?

Ian Gibson Tel 01540 673048 Mob 07817 378729 iangibson12@btinternet.com 28th September 2009

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