Kilmallie Name New Management and Coaching Team
Kilmallie have named their new management and coaching team for the 2024 season.
Mark MacPherson returns as first team manager, and he will be assisted by another former boss; Martin Stewart.
Mark, a former Kilmallie player, previously managed the first team between 2014 and 2018 during which time the side won the Mowi National Division and only missed out on a place in the Camanachd Cup final following a semi-final penalty shoot-out in An Aird.
His assistant Martin has played through all the levels for Kilmallie and has considerable youth and senior coaching experience.
The club also passed on thanks to Johnny Morrison for his commitment and dedication as first team manager over the 2023 shinty season and he will now bring his considerable experience to the Kilmallie Board.
The Kilmallie second team will be managed by Dugald MacPhee (junior) assisted by
his father, Dugald MacPhee (senior).
Dugald (junior) has been playing with the second team over the last few years and
knows the squad well.
Dugald (senior) was second team manager for many years until he stepped down in 2017.
He led the side to victory in no fewer than 5 Sutherland Cup finals in that time.
Previous managers Liam Cameron and Bryan MacKay are stepping back from management to put their playing boots back on and the club recorded their gratitude
to them for the work they have done over the past two years.
New shinty ambassadors shine in Lochaber
A total of 41 Ambassadors from 20 Schools of Shinty were in attendance at Lochaber High to go through their Ambassador training, a joint initiative between the Camanachd Association and Royal Bank of Scotland.
This follows on from the success of previous years across the country and focuses around connecting more and more young people with shinty throughout the academic year.
The training day consisted of ice breakers as they got to know their fellow ambassadors, forward planning for 2024, a great Young Leaders session with Victoria Clark from Active Advantage and also a chance to run a 5-minute drill in their groups.
The New 23/24 Ambassadors will be responsible for becoming the driving force behind promoting and enhancing opportunities to take part in Shinty in their specific Schools.
The purpose of a Shinty Ambassador is to be positive and enthusiastic, work with teachers, active schools, their local club and other young people in their school and
feeder primaries to promote Shinty and provide additional opportunities for young
people to take part.
Royal Bank of Scotland Local Enterprise Manager, Mairi Macdonald said: “Royal Bank of Scotland is delighted to support the Camanachd Association and the sport of shinty as a whole.
“As a bank we are committed to supporting communities across Scotland and shinty plays a vital role in community and cultural life across the Highlands and Islands.
“The ambassadorial programme is vitally important in connecting young people with the sport, ensuring its future for generations to come.”
Roddy Young, Ambassador Leader with the Camanachd Association added: “It was a real pleasure to work closely to work closely with these young Ambassadors.
“They were brilliant to work with as they excelled in all the tasks that they were presented with on the day.
“I’m positive that they will be great role models within the Schools and I look forward to seeing the impact they have on shinty in their Schools and also their wider community.
“I want to thank Royal bank of Scotland for their continued support of the Ambassador Program and I look forward to continuing our partnership together.”
Artemis Cup draw
The 2024 Artemis Macaulay Cup draw was made live on Oban FM on Saturday December 16.
The south and north sections were drawn up to the semi-final stage on the Sports
View programme with Caberfeidh, Glenurquhart, Lochaber, Kingussie, Kinlochshiel, Lovat, Newtonmore and Skye Camanachd making up the north part of the draw.
Arguably the tie of the first round is the derby meeting between Skye Camanachd
and Kinlochshiel in Portree.
Skye boss Willie MacDonald said: “‘We’re delighted to get a home tie and excited to draw ‘Shiel who won 1-0 in both Premiership fixtures between the clubs last season.
We are all looking forward to another competitive encounter with our closest mainland rivals.”
‘Shiel face a sweat as the date for the tie could clash with player Oliver MacRae’s wedding.
Manager Willie MacRae said: “We’ll only miss Ollie and his brother Archie MacRae if the dates clash but hopefully they won’t.
“You always look for a home tie, but Portree is only 40 miles up the road and we’ll take a big support with us.”
With relegated Beauly eligible to play in the Ferguson Transport and Shipping Balliemore Cup, Lochaber have taken their place in the Macaulay.
Manager Ally Ferguson is looking forward to his side’s tie against Caberfeidh at Spean Bridge.
He said: “It’s just great for Lochaber to be back in the Macaulay again.
“We appreciate there are no easy games but have to be pleased to have home advantage in this tie.”
Oban Camanachd are holders having beaten Kingussie 2-1 in last season’s final at
Mossfield.
Draw in full:
Artemis Macaulay Cup – First Round
Oban Camanachd v Oban Celtic
Col Glen v Kyles Athletic
Inveraray v Glasgow Mid Argyll
Aberdour v Bute
Glenurquhart v Kingussie
Skye Camanachd v Kinlochshiel
Lochaber v Caberfeidh
Newtonmore v Lovat
Artemis Macaulay Cup – Quarter Finals
Oban Camanachd / Oban Celtic v Col Glen / Kyles Athletic
Inveraray / Glasgow Mid Argyll v Aberdour / Bute
Newtonmore / Lovat v Lochaber / Caberfeidh
Glenurquhart / Kingussie v Skye Camanachd / Kinlochshiel
Artemis Macaulay Cup – Semi Finals
Oban Camanachd / Oban Celtic / Col Glen / Kyles Athletic v
Inveraray / Glasgow Mid Argyll / Aberdour / Bute
Newtonmore / Lovat / Lochaber / Caberfeidh v
Glenurquhart / Kingussie / Skye Camanachd / Kinlochshiel
The South Artemis Macaulay Cup semi-final takes place at Mossfield with the North
last four tie at Braeview Park, Beauly.
The Artemis Macaulay Cup Final takes place at Mossfield in August 2024 with the
dates still to be confirmed.
Featured image: Young Ambassadors gathered at Lochaber High School for a training session. NO_F51_ShintyAmbassadors_23