Shinty - Lovat announce appointment of new captain as he looks forward to new era at club
MARTIN Mainland says being given the chance to become the captain of Lovat Shinty Club was an offer that he couldn’t refuse.
The 33-year-old has been given the armband of the club where he has spent two decades as the Kiltarlity outfit are set to start their pre-season schedule of the 2025 season.
Lovat are set to welcome Kinlochshiel to Kiltarlity on Saturday and will then welcome National Division outfit Col Glen on Saturday, February 15.
Mainland (33) has been with his village club since first joining in the under-14’s set-up. His twin brother Craig is also in the team and his father and uncle also previously played for Lovat.
He says it is a huge honour to captain the club for the 2025 campaign.
He said: “It was more than easy to accept as I have been at the club for a long time.
“I couldn’t refuse the captaincy and I wouldn’t want to.
“I am proud to be able to captain the club after being there for so long.”
Mainland has been made captain as Iain Nicolson has been appointed as the new head coach of Lovat.
Nicolson takes over from Jamie Matheson who stood down in charge at Balgate, with his last game in charge retaining the Lovat Cup against Beauly in the annual New Year clash in January.
Mainland says with Nicolson as head coach it is an exciting new era for the club.
He said: “It is a massively exciting time and it is a case of trying to strip things back and do things.
“Iain will bring his own twist to the table and it will be a case of consolidating what we have this season considering it is such a transitional period.
“Hopefully the training sessions, techniques and matchday scenarios will pay off, but only time will tell.”
Lovat finished in seventh place in the Premiership last season, but did reach the Camanachd Cup final when they lost 3-2 to Kingussie in Oban.
Lovat have lost experienced personnel with the likes of Daniel Grieve and Drew Howie leaving the club.
Mainland says 2025 will be a year of transition as they look to reinforce their Premiership status, with any silverware success this season being a bonus.
“We aren’t going to get too far ahead of ourselves, we are in a position where we are in the Premiership and we want to stay there. If silverware comes along it is an added bonus.
“It would be nice to win something. It is a transitional year and we will place an emphasis on the younger players coming through to the first team.
“It is about the club progressing and that is what I have my sights on.”
