Big three set to snub meeting
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TONIGHT’S annual general meeting of the Camanachd Association goes ahead in Fort William, but three of the sport’s leading clubs will not be in attendance as the row on league reorganisation shows little sign of abating.
The dispute between the clubs and the ruling body arose after Skye Camanachd were refused a motion calling for the new league proposals to be set aside with the association asserting that they had the powers to introduce the new league structure without a vote by the clubs.
The association maintains that the new structure for 2014, where the Premiership will be reduced to eight teams and a new eight-team National Division One will be introduced, came about after a lengthy consultation process with the clubs through the close season.
Now in a move unprecedented in the modern era, Newtonmore, Kingussie and Kyles Athletic, along with Skye, will shun tonight’s meeting to show their displeasure at the way some association directors have handled Skye’s request to have their proposal on league reconstruction heard and voted on at tonight’s meeting.
The scale of the rebellion will only become clear during the roll call at the start of the meeting, while the row threatens to rumble on with Skye confirming that they have posted papers requesting an emergency general meeting to allow clubs to vote on the proposals. The association have 21 days to respond.
This whole disagreement has taken the shine of what had promised to be one of the most upbeat meetings in a number of years.
In the association’s annual report for 2012, released to clubs ahead of the meeting, President Archie Robertson states that "2012 was a good year for shinty".
He cites soaring membership levels and increased youth participation, which led to a record number of youth competition entries and also various initiatives aimed at introducing more children to the sport.
Financially 2012 was a bumper year for the association as well with turnover reaching nearly £580,000. Sponsorship increased to £220,000 and a profit of £43,000 was generated.
The profile of shinty reached a new high in 2012 with more live televised matches than ever before on BBC Scotland, BBC Alba and TG4 in Ireland.
"While there is no room to relax, the healthy financial picture for 2012 is pleasing and a reflection on the diligent work of everyone involved over the year," said Robertson.
"The Camanachd Association is greatly indebted to our numerous partners and I would like to thank all of them for their continued support."
Meanwhile, tomorrow’s fixture schedule sees one the busiest Saturday’s of the season for clubs with league and cup action across all levels.
The Sutherland Cup reaches the second round and it is difficult to imagine a more intriguing line-up.
Favourites Newtonmore are pitted against old foes Kyles Athletic, while holders Kingussie face a rejuvenated Ballachulish.
There is a derby match with Beauly and Lovat meeting at Braeview, and Fort William entertain Glenurquhart at An Aird. In other matches, Kilmallie take on Lochaber and Lochcarron face the long trip to face Inveraray at the Winterton.
The Winterton promises to be a shinty hotspot tomorrow and immediately following their clash with Lochcarron, the club’s senior side take the field in the Orion Premiership in a top of the table clash with Newtonmore.
This is a crucial game for both clubs, who are unbeaten and looking to strike a significant blow in the race for the title.
Lovat are in Lochaber for the second week in succession as they meet Fort William at An Aird needing both points to build their own challenge for the title.
Championship contenders Kingussie and Kyles clash at the Dell, while Glenurquhart are in Oban — the scene of their MacAulay Cup triumph against Camanachd last August.
The Glen, however, are in uncertain form and a defeat would see them sucked closer to the relegation zone.
There is a full programme in the Marine Harvest North Division One with Inverness entertaining joint leaders Beauly at the Bught.
Kilmallie, in joint first place, will be favourites to beat Caberfeidh, but the match in Portree where the islanders face Strathglass is likely to be a much closer affair.
Calum Duff’s side got their first win of the season last weekend and will travel in confidence after holding Skye to a draw earlier in the season.
