The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Hutchison honing fitness in case new term is swansong
Kingussie stalwart James Hutchison is pounding the streets of Inverness in his determination to be ready for the new shinty season.
Hutchison, head greenkeeper at Castle Stuart golf course, hopes he can play a part for the Premiership champions when the campaign gets under way.
He said: “After so long out due to the virus, I’m desperate to start playing shinty again for what might be my final season.
“It will depend on whether I’m still enjoying it and can still contribute something to the team.
“The motivation is still there and I’ve been working hard to keep up my fitness.
“Team captain Rory MacEachan and team-mate Peter Dickson also stay in Inverness and, with social distancing, we train together, running along the pavements at Milton of Leys and down by the Fairways driving range.
“With the rest of the team, we have a twiceweekly fitness regime by the online Strava link, which keeps us competing, but running with Rory and Peter adds a social dimension, which keeps me going.
“With the vaccine making inroads, we’re much more hopeful that it won’t be too long now before club training sessions are allowed to resume, followed by fixtures.
“All the Kingussie team will be back for the new campaign but there may well be some lads at other clubs who have now become so committed to golf that they may call it a day.
“What’s driving on our lads is that Kingussie were in the doldrums for so long but winning the 2019 Premiership title shows we’re really competitive again and we want more silverware.
“If we pick up where we left off, it could be another special year for us.
“Our balance is really good, with an excellent first team squad of 19 and a strong second team.
“Our young side is that bit older and physically stronger.
“Former internationalist Lee Bain and myself are veterans who are happy to start or come off the bench as required.”
With a May restart beckoning, Hutchison, who is 42 in July, is winning praise from manager John Gibson for his commitment to being fit for the comeback.
“Hutch has put in a lot of effort and looks fitter than he’s been for years”, said Gibson. “The hunger to win things seems to be driving him on – that’s encouraging.
“He’s still got a role to play and is a positive influence on our young team.”
Hutchison, who made his senior debut at 16, also sees this September’s Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup final being played at The Dell for the first time in 21 years as another spur for the club who last won the trophy seven years ago.
“I won my first Camanachd winners medal in 1997 and would love to add another to my collection, but I also want the talented younger lads to pick up their first one,” he said.
“What could be a better occasion than winning it on our own ground?”
“If we pick up where we left off, it could be another special year for us