ROLLING substitutes look set to be introduced on a permanent basis with club delegates expected to vote through the change at tonight’s general meeting of clubs in Fort William.
Brought in at the beginning of the 2011 on a one-year pilot basis, the move has won general approval from both players and coaches, despite some fairly widespread doubts and outright opposition from several referees.
However, the Camanachd Association’s move to increase the advantage to a team awarded a free hit is not so popular and could struggle to win the required majority of yes votes.
Currently, both sets of players have to be a minimum of five yards away from the striker of the free hit, but under the new proposal that five yard rule would only apply to the team awarded the free hit. The major concern would appear to arise from a safety viewpoint with fears about unrestricted shooting, particularly around the penalty area.
Glenurquhart are also seeking an amendment to the association’s proposal, which would see dissent being punished by allowing the referee to move the ball five yards further up the field.
Borrowed from the world of rugby union, the idea becomes somewhat controversial when a referee could decide to move a disputed free hit into the penalty area and under such circumstances a penalty would be awarded.
The Glasgow Celtic Society have also tabled an amendment on the association’s free hit proposal, which would involve extending the size of the penalty area, while the sports governing body wants to introduce a change that would restrict the number of substitutes named on the team lines to just three.
Cup draws for the Balliemore, Glasgow Celtic Society, Bullough, Strathdearn and Sutherland competitions will also be made at the meeting.
Meanwhile, Inverness crank their pre-season programme into gear with a friendly against reigning North Division One champions Kinlochshiel.
Taking place at Bught Park with a 1pm start, the match will give managers James MacDougall and Steve Munro an ideal opportunity to assess strength’s and weaknesses.
