Hats off to the Glen – and to the Camanachd Association

 

Well not really- its more likely “Hats On” to them- because finally after some years of trying and some missed opportunities the principle of the compulsory wearing of helmets in shinty matches has been accepted by the member clubs. This happened on Friday 27th November at the AGM when an appropriate majority of the membership accepted the measure proposed by the Glen (and spoken for by Glen President Garry Mackintosh): the result is that for the first time in the history of the sport the principle of safety head gear has been enshrined in the by-laws.

It’s true that some of the commentators looking on from outside the game- and possibly a few actually inside the game - were somewhat underwhelmed by the fact that the proposal gives senior players i.e. those who have not been of the age group to have had to wear helmets at under-17 level – the opportunity of a waiver until 2030. However, everyone can guess that the issue will be revisited sooner rather than later- and it is pretty certain that some of these lads will change their minds. One thing that will probably help change their minds is when they have kids themselves-no parent will knowingly put his child in harm’s way. There do remain issues though: my conversations with players, mainly forwards, who now wear helmets and who did not used to do so is that they report a general lessening of all round awareness - they cannot quite sense where an opponent is behind them. Maybe - maybe not. Guess John can

The faceguard is another issue: does the CA’s helmet rule include the face guard? The answer is that it does. It is perfectly possible to wear a helmet without the faceguard but to do so you must sign the waiver. This will allow you to play the game and also be covered by the CA’s insurance safety net though it’s a moot point as to how long this situation of insurance waivers will be allowed to run on. Something tells the Wing Centre we shall be revisiting this topic at an AGM before too long.

As for the general issue of shinty injuries there has not been very much in the way of research since J G Maclean’s investigation back in the day (1987/88) at Raigmore Hospital- including of course injuries noted at Fort William’s Belford and in Oban. If one remembers correctly Dr Colin Fettes was involved and the results showed head injuries certainly plus hand and finger injuries were a feature.

The results were not at all surprising- one could have guessed their nature beforehand. Bear in mind also that the study did not cover the Isle of Skye (unless the injury required hospitalisation in Inverness) nor did it deal, unless I am mistaken, with those superficial cuts (facial) which were dealt with at local surgeries. Remember it took place in the Highlands when people like Doctor Sutherland and Doctor Wilkes used to turn out to deal with minor knocks on the day. As far as I have seen it’s only the Kilmallie guy who does that now.

Parking that thought where it is, it might be that the new Medical Dept at UHI would consider, at the behest of the CA, re-running this type of research and it might show whether with the introduction of protective gloves plus the helmet matters are improving.

It must be stressed however that the head injuries reported are superficial in many ways and do not in anyway compare with the deeper-seated concussive injuries which affect rugby and make it in this writer’s opinion a sport that, like boxing, should have no place in a school curriculum.  This concussive effect also sullies football with the dangers of dementia, as seen in the high-profile cases of WBAs Jeff Astle, Dundee United’s Ralph Milne and the Charlton brothers, a very real threat to its present form. It must also be noted that perhaps more youngsters in this Glen have broken bones falling off mountain bikes than have been hurt at the shinty.

However, hats off to President Garry Mac, the Glen committee (and GMA) for bringing up this issue at the AGM and getting the principle and end date accepted. Of course, there was a bit of whingeing on Twitter, understandably from medical men, that the new rules did not come in immediately but that is what Twitter is for.

That is the shinty year nearly done - and what has been hardest of all has been the disappearance of so many good shinty people without the opportunity to say a proper goodbye. The deaths of Invergarry’s Catherine Cameron, Lovat’s Mary Ann Henton and closer at hand of Janet Emery and Catriona (Kate) Mackintosh ( Strathglass / Glen ) have been very hard for their families and their clubs. Janet in particular ran our pavilion and tea counter for many years and is simply irreplaceable. Also no longer with us is referee and stick-maker John Sloggie. Indeed a  whole year has been wiped off the shinty map – and what we will come back to could get you down if you thought about it.

                                               

The Glen have kept busy though the club was for some reason unable to access the Astroturf after the clock change and with the latest lockdown we have sent our COVID-19 compliant paperwork to the CA so that when the Astro is eventually allowed to open, we get an opportunity to get on it - unlike what had happened before where we had to look on while Astros in Inverness were allowed to open but ours was not.

Other steps forward are that the club has become a registered charity with a SCIO number which should help with funding as we go forward (indeed it already has) and the Club has also embraced the new Chaplaincy Scheme as championed by the Camanachd Association with the Rev Sean Ankers of the Free Church taking on the role for the men’s side with his wife Virginia (Gin) doing likewise for the girls.

We have also managed with a great deal of effort to run our annual Swinndle Lottery and credit has to go to Andy Lloyd , Billy Maclean and Laura Quinn for getting it moving – and also to the players for selling the tickets in such restricted times. The proceeds are to be shared as always with the Glenurquhart Care Centre.

In fact, it is with the girls that we finish this piece. They have

continued to train despite having had only one game in the restart after the lockdown. Well done to them and let’s hope we can actually get back to shinty next year.

Photographs? 

Some are relevant but others are just pics that make me happy. Thanks to Neil Paterson for his pictures and to whoever took the rest.

 

 

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