This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Shinty scores extra funding
27/04/2005
The Camanachd Association, the governing body for shinty in Scotland, is to receive nearly £100,000 from sportscotland to help the game's continued growth.
Sports Minister Patricia Ferguson said:
"Since 1999 the numbers of young people participating in shinty sport has doubled and sixteen new clubs have formed. This will allow the sport to develop even further.
"Shinty is moving from strength to strength with a particular rise in women's shinty. Over the last five years nine women's clubs have been formed across Scotland.
"The investment will continue to fund area development officers, targeting groups such as girls and children with learning disabilities. There will also be a link to our Active Schools programme, which aims to boost childrens participation in sport.
"I'm pleased that shinty has received funding from Tulloch Homes, who will, over three years, plough a further £50,000 into the sport. With the public and private sectors working so closely together we can look forward to shinty growing and developing across the country in the years to come."
Alastair Dempster, Chairman of sportscotland, said:
"sportscotland is committed to helping governing bodies address the modernisation of their management structures to introduce positive changes to sport and we are delighted with the progress which The Camanachd Association has made.
"Particularly promising is the rapid growth of the game, and sportscotland funding will help shinty continue increasing participation levels and ensure the sport develops and nurtures talent through supporting its clubs."
John MacKenzie, President of The Camanachd Association said:
"We are absolutely delighted that sportscotland is making this continued and increased investment in our game, which supports almost every target outlined in our four year plan.
"The Camanachd Association are progressing well in its modernisation programme and we are already seeing tangible outcomes from this process"
In 1999 1,180 youngsters played shinty, but that figure has almost doubled, with 16 new youth clubs formed and latest figures suggest youth participation has reached in excess of 2,200. At youth level, the sport is now played across Scotland from clubs in the Western Isles to the central belt. The investment will also enable progress to continue with funding towards the youth development manager position.
The success of the youth game has led to the employment of a technical development manager at The Camanachd Association which will be part funded by sportscotland. A key focus will be to emulate the youth success at the senior level of the game.
The Camanachd Association have produced a four year 'Game Plan', which focuses on continuing to improve participation levels, club development, player improvement, coach education and youth structures. sportscotland funding will support the fundamental areas of this development plan with £23,900 going towards player improvement, and £13,700 backing club development.
Women's shinty has developed over the last five years, with nine women's clubs formed across Scotland. sportscotland's investment will also continue to fund area development officers in partnership with Highland and Argyll & Bute Councils. They will target groups such as girls and children with learning disabilities, and will link in with the Active Schools programme to continue increasing participation, development and improvement.