Newtonmore Camanachd Club Newsletter
August 2011

1] Results It’s been a month of several highs and one low. The Macaulay Cup Final defeat 2 – 1 by Kyles Athletic at the death was very disappointing, but perhaps not a complete surprise as we had not scored the goals we needed when we had the pressure and the Kyles team are very fit and fast playing on a big pitch that suited them.

The 1sts are in their first Camanachd Cup Final for 14 years on 17th September against Kingussie and this is being eagerly awaited by the entire shinty community. We are playing them on Saturday 3rd September in the league at the Dell, but are still awaiting confirmation of our fixture schedule till the end of the season. We are now the only real challengers to Kyles Athletic for the league title.

The 2nds 3 – 3 draw against Fort William meant that the North Division 2 league title was virtually assured and the 4 – 2 win  against Lochaber this evening ensured that we could finally celebrate. The 2nds have not lost a home league game all season and last lost any game at the beginning of April having scored over 91 goals in the league and well over 100 in all competitions. The trophy for winning the league is the MacGillivray junior trophy and it is 37 years since we last won it [season 1973/74] before any of the current team were born! I have it on good authority from Rob Ritchie that the captain all these years ago was Paddy Kirkpatrick.

The 2nds have also reached the Strathdearn Cup Final to be played on 3rd September at 3pm against Glengarry at Drumnadrochit

2] Fundraising Due to the extended shinty season we have had to postpone the Strictly event until 11th Feb next year. As notified recently by e-mail we are the beneficiaries of the Glen Banchor Canter on Wednesday 6th September. This starts from the Brae at 6pm with walkers and joggers followed at 1830 by the runners. Entry is £5 and we would be very grateful for a few spot prizes, helpers on the evening and of course participants in the event. Help keep yourself fit and raise money to support junior shinty.

3] Grant We have received a grant of £1000 from the Scottish Community Foundation to replace the fence between the shed and the clubhouse with a little left over to help pay for the goal wall and net which we plan for the south end of the training pitch. This is the third year in succession that this organisation has supported us, this time through the Forbes Fund which it administers.

4] Advertising Boards Many thanks to James Brannan for persuading a number of businesses from outside the village of the advantages of taking an advertising board: Harve Taxis, Mark Taylor Roofing, Aviemore Brewery and Pane in the Glass window cleaners Aviemore are all confirmed for next season. As the majority of businesses extend their commitment beyond the first 3 years this is very welcome source of recurring income for us.

If you know of someone who owns a business why not ask them on the clubs behalf as the worst they can say is no! Boards are still only £350 for 3 years or three payments of £150, £105 & £105.

5] Highland Games bar A big thank you to everyone that helped Iain Mackintosh on the shinty clubs behalf. The proceeds of the bar are split between the club and the Highland Games.

6] Tracksuits The 1sts got theirs for the Macaulay Final and the 2nds now have them in time for the Strathdearn Final. Many thanks to everyone who paid £25 to sponsor a player as this covered well over half the cost. We would like to repeat this sponsorship next year to buy other extra bits of kit.

If you know of any supporters who may fit an extra, extra large tracksuit we have several surplus which we will sell to them at cost price which is £35.

7] Merchandise Additional scarves have been delivered. The committee will be deciding what range of merchandise to buy in the future as some of our current stock has not moved as much as we had hoped. We are still trying to find a quality weatherproof jacket which we could sell at a price people will buy at and we will be reordering men’s polo shirts.

8] Congratulations to Lyndsey Gallacher, who designs and makes the Camanachd jewellery promoted through our website. She has been awarded the accolade of best artist in the Country Living Kitchen Table Talent Awards.

9] Surplus camans + helmets We have still not had any response! Have you got old camans lying around unused that could be donated to the club? Perhaps they could be cut down and used by some of the younger players. With new camans costing over £35 it doesn’t make sense to have unused ones gathering dust. New helmets now cost 50 euros so if you have any helmets that are no longer being used a donation of these to the club would be much appreciated.

10] Lawnmower Many thanks to Jim Coyle for donating his old mower to the club.

11] Ladies finals 10th Sept Two ladies finals are being played on the Eilan on 10th September at noon and 2pm. The first match involves Badenoch and Strathspey Ladies which has Newtonmore representation. If anyone would be willing to volunteer to help for half an hour for teas that would be very much appreciated.

Ian Gibson    Tel 01540 673048     Mob 07817 378729      iangibson12@btinternet.com      31st Aug 2011

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