Rugby over but shinty and football still in lockdown
RUGBY
The 2019/20 domestic rugby season in Scotland has been classified as null and void, with Scottish Rugby joining its Irish, Welsh and Italian counterparts in coming to this outcome.
This decision follows the earlier interim suspension then final closure of the season based on government advice on coronavirus.
The decision to declare the 2019/20 season null and void – meaning there will be no automatic promotion or relegation - was reached following an extensive consultation process involving participating clubs, championship and competition committee members and Scottish Rugby’s Rugby Development Department.
Five possible scenarios were presented, with around half of the clubs favouring the null and void option.
The remaining clubs were split between the other four options. The second most favoured option – finishing the season based on the league positions at the time of shutdown - received the support of around a quarter of clubs.
Scottish Rugby president Dee Bradbury said: ‘It was clear from the outset that, in terms of the consequential impact on the various leagues in terms of promotion/relegation there would be no ‘right’ solution, particularly once it was clear our preferred option of completing the season would no longer be possible. We fully accept some clubs will be disappointed with this decision and we share their frustration that, for wider societal reasons beyond our control, their hard work to push for success this season hasn’t yielded the rewards they deserve.’
Oban Lorne were sitting in seventh place in Tennent’s West Region Division Two, but with games in hand on the teams above them, when the season was declared null and void.
SHINTY
Shinty’s top official says the sport is working to come to terms with the financial and wider impact of the coronavirus lockdown.
The summer shinty season began on March 7, but wet weather put paid to the opening fixtures for most teams including Oban Camanachd, Lochside Rovers and both Oban Celtic teams before competition was suspended ahead of the lockdown on March 23.
In a message to clubs, Camanachd Association chief executive Derek Keir paid tribute to staff, committees and association directors for the ‘incredible support they have provided during this time’.
In common with many other sports, shinty faces financial challenges around commercial income, gate money, television income and membership fees.
Staff at the Inverness-based governing body are working from home and options have been explored to reduce costs.
Mr Keir also revealed the association’s finance committee has agreed the organisation should access government support where appropriate.
He added: ‘Six members of staff are already funded by the Scottish Government and are therefore not eligible for additional government support. The remaining three have been offered and accepted to be furloughed to support the efforts to protect our sport.’
The Camanachd Association, said Mr Keir is ‘still very much operational’ and is looking to understand the needs of member clubs in the present situation. To assist clubs and ensure income is maintained, the association is also ‘exploring creative solutions’ for subscriptions.
Mr Keir concluded: ‘In common with all other sports, we cannot predict when it will be safe to resume playing matches.
‘We are discussing various options based on assumed start dates.
‘We will make every endeavour to make the best use of any time available.
‘Please be assured we will be working hard and acting in the best interests of our sport, clubs and members.’
FOOTBALL
The Scottish Football Association board met via video conference last Thursday to discuss the implications of the most up-to-date government and medical advice on the governing body’s suspension on football.
Based on this advice, it was unanimously agreed to extend the suspension at all levels of the game from professional to recreational until at least June 10.
The board had initially suspended football until further notice, with a stipulation of
April 30 at the earliest, to give member clubs greater certainty on player welfare and well-being, as well as financial clarity.
Since the announcement on March 19, the Joint Response Group has received daily updates from the Scottish FA’s medical consultant Dr John MacLean, based on his discussions with medical colleagues in Scotland and the United Kingdom, as well as within UEFA and the World Health Organisation.
It was after full consideration of all these facts that the board decided to extend the suspension of all football, which also applies to all training and conditioning of players.
Oban Saints club secretary David Buchanan said: ‘This is the correct decision to extend the suspension of all football until June 10. Hopefully, by that time, we might have turned the corner and can get back playing again, although there are still tough times ahead.
‘I have a video conference with the Central Scottish AFL executive committee this week to discuss how we would restart the current league programme if and when we are permitted to do so’
‘Our first team are presently sitting top of Central Scottish AFL Division 1B with a 100 per cent record - 14 wins out of 14 - and we were almost certain to gain promotion to the Premier Division, being nine points ahead of second placed Blantyre RGM and with two games in hand.
‘The second team are lying in third place in the Greater Glasgow Division Three, just one point behind the leaders.’
Saints’ four youth teams are also in lockdown, with the youngsters desperate to get back playing again at the earliest opportunity.
‘We fully accept some clubs will be disappointed with this decision and we share their frustration.’