2017yearbook | review of 2017 President’s Foreword eason 2017 was not without its challenges both on and off the field. The financial deficit in 2016 clearly demonstrated Sthat we were living beyond our means and that a combination of cost-cutting and revenue-raising was required to stabilise our position. This was successfully done and new sponsors, Anderson Shaw and Gilbert (The MacTavish Cup) and Tulloch Homes (The Camanachd Cup) have come forward respectively to provide support for these historic competitions. This season also provided us with a timely reminder that behaviour on the field is not beyond the scrutiny of the law nor the tolerance of what society now views as acceptable risk for injury. Other major sports have responded to similar recent scrutiny by modifying rules, improving equipment and introducing treatment and assessment protocols. Our sister sport of Hurling approved the universal adoption of helmets and face guards to minimise facial injuries. Shinty players and coaches need to be better versed in their personal responsibility for the safety of their opponents whether it be by controlling their own aggression or by making allowance for their opponents being inexperienced. Similarly the Association and Member Clubs need to give due consideration to setting a date for the universal adoption of helmets and faceguards for the senior game. Marine Harvest extends its sponsorship commitment to shinty for another three years In October 2017, Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd agreed to a renewed three year sponsorship deal for shinty. The agreement which sees the company invest a six figure sum into the sport extends the partnership between Marine Harvest and the Camanachd Association to 33 years and represents one of Scotland’s longest running sport sponsorships. Ben Hadfield, Managing Director of Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd, sees the agreement as a natural extension of an existing sound relationship. “Having supported shinty for 30 years we are very pleased to announce our continuing support for the game for another three years at all levels. It has been very rewarding to see how the game has developed and grown particularly with Women’s shinty and the work and commitment that we’re seeing invested in Youth shinty. And of course, we are delighted to continue supporting the annual Marine Harvest National Shinty Awards which recognise the hard work and dedication of players, coaches and others in the sport.” shinty yearbook | review of 2017 3 However, there was also much to celebrate as well in season 2017, not least the President’s performance of Kinlochshiel in winning their first Premier League title and congratulations too to this Foreword season’s other successful eason 2017 was not without its challenges both on and off sides whose successes are the field. The financial deficit in 2016 clearly demonstrated celebrated elsewhere in this Sthat we were living beyond our means and that a combination Yearbook. of cost-cutting and revenue-raising was required to stabilise our It was good year for position. This was successfully done and new sponsors, Anderson the Women’s game in Shaw and Gilbert (The MacTavish Cup) and Tulloch Homes general and the Women’s (The Camanachd Cup) have come forward respectively to provide Camanachd Association support for these historic competitions. have continued to increase participation apace while our annual This season also provided us with a timely reminder that clashes with the Irish hurlers at all levels, have also been a very behaviour on the field is not beyond the scrutiny of the law nor positive benefit to the sport. the tolerance of what society now views as acceptable risk for Lastly, we celebrate the commitment by Marine Harvest to extend injury. Other major sports have responded to similar recent their sponsorship of all our Leagues, the International Programme scrutiny by modifying rules, improving equipment and introducing and the Awards Night for a further three years amounting to a total treatment and assessment protocols. Our sister sport of Hurling of thirty three years of continuous support. approved the universal adoption of helmets and face guards to In closing, I wish to record my thanks to the CA Board and Staff minimise facial injuries. for their support during my 9 year term of office as Director Shinty players and coaches need to be better versed in their and latterly as President and in particular to my Vice President, personal responsibility for the safety of their opponents whether Keith Loades. Keith has been an active and committed Director it be by controlling their own aggression or by making allowance as well as a trusted personal counsellor over the last 3 years for their opponents being inexperienced. Similarly the Association and I am delighted he has been chosen as my successor. I have and Member Clubs need to give due consideration to setting a every confidence that he will excel as the CA President and date for the universal adoption of helmets and faceguards for the will provide Shinty with the leadership and direction which senior game. it deserves. Marine Harvest extends its sponsorship commitment to shinty for another three years In October 2017, Marine Harvest (Scotland) The company will increase its investment also sees Marine Harvest maintain their Ltd agreed to a renewed three year and profile in shinty by continuing as title support for Women’s and Youth shinty, the sponsorship deal for shinty. sponsor of the Premier League (“Marine Scotland Senior National Shinty Team, the Harvest Premiership”), National league and annual Shinty/Hurling International match The agreement which sees the company North/South area leagues. The agreement and the annual Shinty Awards night. invest a six figure sum into the sport extends the partnership between Marine Harvest and the Camanachd Association to 33 years and represents one of Scotland’s longest running sport sponsorships. Ben Hadfield, Managing Director of Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd, sees the agreement as a natural extension of an existing sound relationship. “Having supported shinty for 30 years we are very pleased to announce our continuing support for the game for another three years at all levels. It has been very rewarding to see how the game has developed and grown particularly with Women’s shinty and the work and commitment that we’re seeing invested in Youth shinty. And of course, we are delighted to continue supporting the annual Marine Harvest National Shinty Awards which recognise the hard work and dedication of players, coaches and others in the sport.” shinty yearbook | review of 2017 3 2017 Camanachd Association Corporate Summary Total expenditure in 2016 was £595,655, an increase of £1806 on the previous year. Key areas of expenditure remain: Competitions, Development, Wages and Office Expenses. The £27,256 expenditure increase on wages is principally as a result Supplies (HIS), Russwood, Liberty British Aluminium, GS Campbell, of having the central belt Tulloch Homes and Anderson Shaw and Gilbert. Development Officer in place for the full reporting year. Support from Ferguson Transport & Shipping, Loch Ness Gifts and JIG Groundworks (Kiltarlity) was also gratefully received. The Association’s 2017 he Camanachd Association is always mindful that its core budget has been very challenging but we do expect to record Finally, each Scotland squad player (Senior, U21, Women) secured remit is to promote the unique sport of shinty throughout the a profit in excess of £20K which will go towards rebuilding our an individual sponsor to support their participation in this year’s Twhole of Scotland and to bring it to the public’s attention as reserves to the target of £90k which is appropriate for the size of Marine Harvest Shinty/Hurling (Camogie) Internationals. the attractive and skilful team sport that it is. Shinty is one of Scotland’s our business. The 2017 Annual Accounts will however provide the The Camanachd Association also received grant funding from a important heritage sports and its history is rooted in numerous appropriate detail and will be distributed to member Clubs when communities where it remains both popular and relevant. finalised early in 2018. wide range of organisations, including: Inverness Common Good Fund, Highland Council, Argyll & Bute Council and Highland Council Discretionary The Camanachd Association’s 2016 Annual Accounts reported a Ward Funding. This funding from sponsors and grant providers sportscotland, the Scottish Government’s National Agency for Sport, £38,573 reduction in turnover and a deficit for year of £48,066, significantly extends the Association’s support for the promotion and which left the Association with total reserves of £75,962 at 31st remains the single largest funder of the Camanachd Association. In 2016 sportscotland invested £182,000 in the Camanachd Association, development of shinty and we thank all those who have contributed December 2016. The Association had signalled a potential loss in over the past year. the order of £44,000 at the 2016 AGM and disappointingly the final principally to cover key staff costs but also to provide some additional figure was slightly higher than expected. resource for agreed Development and Coaching activity. Participation in the senior leagues in 2017 increased to 54 As a consequence of the financial position, the Association was required Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd is the principal commercial teams from 52 in 2016. This was as a result of Strachur re- sponsor of shinty and in 2017 the Camanachd Association was in 2017 to re-base its activities, increase its efforts to attract commercial joining the league and Strathglass entering a second team. The delighted to agree a new three-year sponsorship agreement with sponsors, improve its business processes and make economies across Marine Harvest Premiership comprised ten teams. There were the company. the board in order to balance the books for 2017.