Shinty - Scotland boss looking forward to the challenge of taking charge of Caberfeidh after being appointed manager
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GARRY Reid says becoming boss of Caberfeidh was an attractive package to take charge of a squad who have strong possibilities of success in the future.
The Scotland manager has been revealed as the new man to take charge of the Strathpeffer outfit into the 2023 campaign.
Reid takes over from former manager Jodi Gorski who stood down as manager after seven years, and took the club to the best ever Premiership finish of sixth and a MacTavish Cup final in 2022.
Reid was approached in a Dingwall supermarket by a club committee member early one morning.
He says it was a great chance to get back involved in coaching with a top flight club.
"I had a wee while to think about it, I was approached at 7.30am at the Co-op in Dingwall would I be interested in the job," he said.
"It is something that I have been thinking about for a wee while, my passion is coaching and I wanted to get back into it.
"It was opportune bumping into somebody, they allowed me to have a think about it and it is something I would like to do at this stage of life.
"Being coach of the national team, I am not sure where or when that the Scotland v Ireland fixture will come back at the moment.
"I thought I miss coaching so it is a good opportunity. Caberfeidh is just along the road and it is handy in terms of my life. I am keen to get back on the pitch and coach again."
Brian MacDonald will continue as assistant manager and will be joined as an assistant in the dugout by Kevin Bartlett.
Gavin Campbell will complete the management team as fitness coach, with former manager Gorski providing support to the management team as well as looking after the under-17 team with Scott Anderson.
Reid, who played for Bute, Glenorchy, Lovat and Strathglass during his playing career, says it was vital his management team had experience with the club.
"When they came to talk about it further, it wasn't just about me being the coach. Life is different now and it puts a lot of pressure on one person to be that coach.
"They thought about that, so with the support network with Brian Macdonald, Kevin Bartlett and Gavin Campbell, everything is in place.
"It was essential to have people around me who know the club. The things they are doing are top notch and I won't adjust things too much."
Reid, who has also been player/manager with Strathglass and coached Dingwall Primary School during his career, was the manager of Scotland who last played Ireland in the shinty/hurling international in 2019.
He hopes to continue being part of the Scotland set-up, but is unsure when the fixture will come back in the future.
"It was all shut down after 2019 due to Covid and I had one year left on the Scotland team.
"I was hoping to have a home fixture again, but it's all quiet at the moment and I haven't had a conversation with the Camanachd Association.
"I am hoping they won't see any conflict with Caberfeidh and I can see out the term of my contract."
Reid says he hasn't any specific targets with Caberfeidh, but he wants to follow on the growth of the club Gorski had during his seven years in charge.
"My aim is to make coaching fun. There is a lot of ability in the team, but as an amateur sport, players are giving their time to come play.
"I want them to come and enjoy training and get better.
"All my aspirations is to make sure Caberfeidh are well organised, enjoy training and know what they are doing on the pitch.
"We won't go into a transfer market, it is up to the players for the effort they put in and get out of it."
