The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Shinty: Move to make head gear mandatory.
● Camanachd Association try to make headgear compulsory
Shinty chiefs keen to reduce head injuries in the game are to launch a new bid towards making helmets and face guards compulsory for players.
The Camanachd Association won a 19-14 vote on the controversial issue at last November’s AGM but failed to reach the 75% majority required for a special resolution. However, an online board meeting has seen directors opt to have another attempt at this year’s AGM.
The defeated plan included a five-year exemption for players who did not want to wear headgear, after which it would be compulsory for everyone.
National development manager Graham Cormack said: “Arguably, the ground wasn’t prepared well enough last time, which is why we fell a few votes short of what we needed. An online board meeting has now decided to make a further proposal this autumn which we hope can gain the necessary backing.
“We want to stimulate discussion over the coming weeks and months, allowing clubs and players to ask questions and gain clarity, rather than debate being squeezed in to the run-up to the AGM. This gives people the chance to think about it at their leisure, which can make all the difference.
“The bottom line is that this is intended to sharply reduce the volume of head and facial injuries in our game. In Ireland, the GAA made helmets and face guards compulsory 10 years ago and have seen a whopping 75% drop in such injuries.”
All under-14 shinty players have worn helmets since 2007 while this was extended to under17s seven years ago. At senior level, the majority of players now choose to wear the equipment.
Scotland star Rory Kennedy of Newtonmore wears both helmet and face guard since a nasty mouth injury.
Others, such as the three MacRae brothers of Kinlochshiel opt for helmets but no face guards. There are still players who wear neither and in international matches, the Irish have been surprised to see one or two helmetless Scots.
Cormack admitted: “We have to live in the real world, we can’t go compulsory right away or some experienced players who have never worn a helmet might quit the game. That’s something we’re anxious to avoid.
“There are strong feelings involved, so players can continue bare headed if they wish, as long as they sign a waiver absolving the Association from legal liability. But waivers will not be allowed indefinitely.
“There’s absolutely no problem with players aged 23 and under, because they’re totally used to wearing protective headgear throughout their playing career so when they go senior, they choose to continue to do so.
“Face guards protect mouth and teeth and they’re becoming increasingly common. The trend is in the right direction.”
A survey of shinty injuries treated at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, some years ago showed one-third involved head and mouth. Data protection laws have prevented a more recent survey being undertaken.
It is understood that over the coming months the Association plans to enlist the help of leading players to extol the benefits of helmets and face guards to try to move the argument in a positive direction.
The 2025 date for waivers being scrapped was a key reason for not gaining the 75 % approval last year and the Association is considering not including such a deadline in their second attempt.