Tulloch Homes is the new sponsor of the Camanachd Cup
NATIONAL house builder Tulloch Homes is the new sponsor of the prestigious Camanachd Cup competition.
Speaking following the announcement of the lucrative four-year deal, Camanachd Association president Jim Barr said: ‘ The Camanachd Association looks forward to an exciting new chapter in the Camanachd Cup’s 121-year history and is appreciative of the support for the further development of grass roots shinty which will result from this partnership.
‘The Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup will continue to be the premier cup competition for senior teams throughout Scotland and a winner’s medal will remain the single most coveted honour for players involved.
‘Tulloch Homes will become only the third sponsor of this iconic trophy and we wish to forge a lasting relationship with them, similar to that enjoyed with the previous two sponsors of this competition.’
Tulloch Homes chief Executive George Fraser, a former Newtonmore shinty player, added: ‘ We’re delighted to sponsor shinty’s most prestigious trophy for the next four years.
‘It is an ideal way to conclude our 90th anniversary celebrations. Many people we employ directly and indirectly, and throughout our supply chain, are involved with shinty as players, officials or supporters.
‘ We are delighted to put something back in to the shinty community in this way by backing the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup.’
George Fraser knows more than most about the Camanachd Cup. A prolific goalscorer in his playing days with Newtonmore, he was the winning captain in the 1975 Camanachd Cup final in which Newtonmore defeated Kyles Athletic 1- 0 at Fort William following a 3-3 draw at Kingussie. That season he also skippered the team to victory in the the Macaulay and Mac- Tavish cups. He went on to gain three successive Camanachd Cup winners medals in 1977, 1978 and 1979 followed by two in succession in 1981 and 1982 and again in 1985, when his club won the ‘grand slam’, and 1986 meaning he has played in eight Camanachd Cup winning teams.
His last Camanachd final was in 1989, when Newtonmore were runners up, after which he retired to focus on his business career.
George, a former Scotland international who was previously a Camanachd Association director, said: ‘I was part of an extremely successful shinty team and my experience is that teamwork in sport and business are clearly interlinked. The team ethic you learn in your sport is readily transferable to your world of employment. That has been at the forefront of my approach in running a business and I endeavour to impress that on our own Tulloch Homes team.’
Tulloch Homes has previously sponsored the Celtic Society and MacTavish Cup competitions and is only the third partner to be associated with shinty’s biggest prize.
Glenmorangie was the first Camanachd Cup sponsor. Its association with shinty stretches back to the 1976/ 77 season when it pledged £1,000 for the sole advertising rights for the Camanachd Cup Final and home internationals against Ireland. Glenmorangie became main sponsors of the Camanachd Cup in 1983 with SSE Scottish Hydro grabbing the baton in 2006, beginning a partnership which lasted until 2015. Last year’s tournament ran without a sponsor.
George Fraser said: ‘I hope our involvement in the Camanachd Cup final can add to the profile of the big game and we’re ready to work closely with the association in this regard. It is all about putting something back for the benefit of the communities which have supported Tulloch Homes so well over the years.’