In the third and final year of his Presidential term, Steven MacKenzie’s annual report to the Camanachd Association annual general meeting in Fort William on Friday November 23 hailed a successful season.
He congratulated all the competition winners, including Lochaber saying: “The Ferguson Transport and Shipping Balliemore Cup went to Lochaber on a memorable day for the Spean Bridge side.
“The biggest Balliemore crowd in many years enjoyed glorious sunshine and a fantastic atmosphere at Spean Bridge as Lochaber ran out comfortable winners against local rivals Kilmallie.
“Lochaber also won the Mowi National Division so return to shinty’s top-flight next season.”
The revival of the Mowi shinty / hurling international was also welcomed, with CEO
Derek Keir praised for his perseverance in restoring relations with the Gaelic Athletic
Association.
Off-field, away from the business-as-usual activity of the Association, focus has been
in three main areas:
Safety – particularly the use of helmets with faceguards.
Drug Testing – responding to concerns raised by member clubs to introduce a
programme of drug-testing. The association are now members of the UKAD
programme with a current focus on education. The Scotland squads completed the
associated training and could be subject to in-competition testing at a time of
UKAD’s choosing.
Camanachd Cup Replacement and Bught Park Development – with the help of
sponsors Tulloch, the Camanachd Cup has been replaced by a replica and retired to
Inverness Castle as any irreversible damage to the famous trophy has long been a
concern for the Board.
The association is also preparing a Heritage Lottery application for Shinty’s Story
which will be a major focus through 2024 and 2025.
The Camanachd Association staff, past and present, were praised with Operations
Manager Astie Cameron referred to as being, “the best-connected man in shinty with
his wealth of contacts,” whilst Aarron MacLeod was also commended as he continues to improve the Association’s communications strategy.
MacKenzie concluded: “It has been the privilege of my life to lead the Camanachd
Association, but this cannot be done alone so I would like to thank all the Directors
who supported me during my Presidency for their efforts.
“There is a sports psychology book written by James Kerr called “Legacy” and it
examines the success of the All Blacks at rugby union. One of their central tenets is
to “leave the jersey in a better place than you found it”. I have strived to live up to
that adage.”
MacKenzie was replaced as Camanachd Association President by Burton
Morrison who is originally from Drumnadrochit, but captained Aberdeen University to
Sutherland Cup success and also played for Glasgow Mid Argyll.
Four new Directors were appointed with Alan Clark, Willie MacDonald, Kevin Thain
and Graeme Macdiarmid all overwhelmingly backed by members.
Daniel Polumbo and Kirsty Deans both came to the end of their tenure on the Board whilst former Highland Councillor Alister MacKinnon has been co-opted onto the Board with a future Finance role likely.
In his final report before standing down, Finance Director Daniel Polumbo delivered
encouraging financial figures for 2022, including record £618,000 income.
The figures were much better than forecast 12 months earlier with sponsorship returning to pre-pandemic levels and this contributed towards a £22,000 annual surplus which boosts Camanachd Association reserves to a healthy £240,000.
Projected 2023 figures estimate a £7,000 surplus and although adult subscriptions
were increased by £5 to £30, membership still made up less than 10 percent of the
Camanachd Association’s overall income which is less than other sports.
The waiver opt out age limit for the compulsory wearing of helmets with faceguards
was raised from only including players aged over-21 years to only being permissible
for players aged over-25 years.
Camanachd Association Chief Executive Officer Derek Keir informed the agm that
this was the fourth year that the association had attempted to introduce the unilateral
wearing of helmets with faceguards, and he urged member clubs and associations to
show leadership.
However, two other motions put forward by the game’s governing body failed to
gather the required 75% support.
These were that helmets and faceguards be made mandatory for all players from the 2024 season or alternatively, that helmets are made mandatory from 2024 with liability waivers permissible for faceguards only.
Kingussie, Dunoon Camanachd and Oban Camanachd all put forward proposals to
increase the number of substitutes that can take the field, but all failed to gather the
required support.
Photograph (February 2021): Outgoing Camanachd Association president, Steven MacKenzie. no_a09StevenMacKenzie01-e1701080683713.jpg