Shinty clubs sign up to 2021 season
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While most sports have been forced to completely shut down for at least the next few weeks, shinty’s Camanachd Association is busy getting preparations in place for next season.
The shinty calendar was wiped out in 2020 because of the pandemic, with even localised friendlies when Covid-19 was at a lower level in some parts of Scotland difficult to come by.
That meant that attention instead turned to what the season may look like in 2021, and the Camanachd Association has confirmed that all member clubs who were registered to compete in 2019 have signalled their intent to play again this year.
Exactly what the season will look like is still unclear, but the news was still wholeheartedly welcomed by Camanachd Association president Steven MacKenzie.
“Our vision at the Camanachd Association is to protect the game of shinty which can only be achieved in partnership with our clubs,” he said.
“For this reason, I was delighted to hear that all of our member clubs are registered to play this season.
“Their support will help us shift back to some sense of normality.
“We at the Camanachd Association are raring to go and can’t help but be excited at the prospect of returning when it is safe to do so”
Scotland’s state of lockdown for the month of January means that all but the highest levels of elite sport have had to stop temporarily.
With no guarantee over when those restrictions will end, it is expected they will affect the start of the shinty season and some delays to the usual start dates may be necessary.
However, clubs will definitely get a pre-season.
The finer details of the proposed restart of shinty will be discussed by the competitions committee and then presented to the board for approval at the end of this month.
Camanachd Association chief executive Derek Keir said: “Shinty has been a vibrant and integral part of Scottish life for hundreds of years and it is hugely positive that all of our clubs are signed up for 2021 season.
“This highlights the enthusiasm from communities to get back to the sport they love. Whilst this intent is just the first step in a return to our sport credit for this achievement undoubtedly lies with the tireless volunteers within our clubs.
“The work they have done to make their clubs are Covid-19 compliant has been a shining example of the leadership that makes community sport possible.”