Shinty board confirms 2021 competition plans

Competitive shinty is a step closer to returning thanks to positive planning from the Camanachd Association.

At a meeting recently, the association’s board of directors backed the competition committee’s plans for the 2021 season following the 100 per cent registration from member clubs for the 2021 season.

It was agreed that, when it is safe to return, clubs will be given a four to six-week pre-season to get fitness and stick work back up to the required standard. This will be followed by a league and cup campaign.

The plans include Mowi leagues of six teams playing 10 fixtures each. How these leagues will be split will be determined on locality. Regional competitions, including the cottages.com MacTavish Cup and Celtic Cup, may be moved to a later stage in the season, subject to necessary agreements. National cup competitions will be regionalised in the early rounds to reduce long distance travelling. Burton Morrison, competitions director, said: ‘Under the current restrictions, we are unable to confirm a start date for the revised season. However, we are optimistic we are able to plan for a number of options for a competitive structure which will give teams the opportunity to get back playing.’

Steven MacKenzie, Camanachd Association president, said: ‘I and all of my fellow directors were pleased to endorse the plan put forward. I would like to thank competitions director Burton Morrison and the committee for developing a robust plan that enables us to maximise our shinty playing opportunities while minimising the risk. We are all eager to get back to playing shinty in line with government guidance and with this plan in place we are one step closer to doing so.’