Timeline shows shinty season on the horizon

Competitive shinty could return to a nearby pitch by June 5, according to the Camanachd Association’s most recent provincial roadmap.

Preparations for the season’s start intensified following First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s announcements on Tuesday last week, with the association ready to support its clubs and volunteers ‘on every step of this exciting journey’.

One of the three key priorities is to restart the sport and the first step began last Friday, March 12, when adults and youths were able to start ‘non-contact training’ providing that their Covid-19 readiness documentation had been verified by the Camanachd Association.

Oban Celtic coach Les Kinvig welcomed the news of the expected return to competitive sport.

‘Oban Celtic are delighted that a return to shinty is nearing,’ he said.

‘It has been a long and difficult period for our sport and everyone concerned with it. We are in support of a return, regardless of the format, as it is vital for clubs, players and the sport to have competitive shinty being played once again.

‘The association has been faced with a very difficult task in producing a roadmap for return due to the ever-changing rules and guidelines. With some firm dates now in place, we have started planning the best way forward with the support of the Camanachd Association.

‘Oban Celtic will look to resume training in the coming weeks while adhering to the current rules. It is vital everyone involved adheres to these rules in order for the sport to keep progressing towards the return of competitive shinty and for the safety of all concerned.’

The roadmap set out by the Camanachd Association (CA) is as follows:

March 12 – Adults and youths can take part in outdoor, non-contact shinty and organised group exercise in groups of up to 15 people including coaches.

Physical distancing maintained.

March 26 – CA target date for all clubs to work towards Covid readiness documentation verification.

Clubs cannot undertake any kind of activity without these documents being verified by the CA.

April 26 – Contact shinty anticipated to resume as the country returns to a tiered is to be system. Further details to be published mid-March by the Scottish Government.

June 5 – Provisional start date for senior league and cup season to begin. Further details and confirmation to be released by the competitions committee.

No activity is permitted until a club has had their Covid readiness and risk assessment verified by the CA.

As always, a club cannot train unless all participants

Fort William’s Jack Fraser, right, tackles Oban Celtic’s Ross MacMillan. Hopes are high contact shinty can resume early this summer.

are registered members of the CA for insurance purposes.

Derek Keir, CA chief executive officer, said: ‘Since the start of the year we have been working behind the scenes to make sure we were in a position to restart shinty as soon as conditions allowed.

‘Following the First Minister’s welcome announcement last Tuesday, we are delighted to put forward this roadmap for a return of shinty provided Scotland continues to progress in its fight against the virus.

‘We recognise this is just the first step in a journey culminating on June 5 with the first competitive throw-up in 15 months, but we are excited by the positive response this news has already generated with our member clubs.’

Any club requiring support with their Covid readiness documentation or anything else to help with their return to shinty should get in touch with their regional development officer.