'POSITIVE THINGS' AT SHINTY'S AGM

Last week's Camanachd Association AGM was all about accentuating the positive in a challenging financial climate.
The Ben Nevis Hotel in Fort William was the venue for the 2012 Annual General Meeting, held on Friday April 27.

A sprinkling of club and association representatives from all over the country, but primarily the northern half, gathered to hear from officials of the association just how the past year has gone, and to discuss progress on developing the game of shinty.

Other highlights included a special presentation after six years' service to retiring director Iain MacPhee, made by association president Archie Robertson; and the receipt by Graham Cormack, CA coaching and performance development manager, of an accreditation from Julie MacKintosh of Sportscoach UK for the updated level one shinty coaching course.

As anticipated, the Camanachd Referees Association proposal to amend byelaw one (Rules of Play) was approved by the required three-quarters majority, including seven proxy votes. This means we will now see the introduction of formal technical areas at major semi-finals and finals.
Speaking to the motion, referees' representative Graham Cameron outlined the reasoning behind the move, saying that it would make for an improved experience for spectators while portraying a better image of the game where television cameras are present.

Both Richard Gall and Charles Young were re-elected as directors.  There are two director positions still available on the board.

This meeting, however, was not solely about back-slapping and going through the motions.

No facet of our economy has escaped the effect of the ongoing recession, and shinty has itself felt the chill winds. Finance director Jim Barr explained the reasons behind a £9,500 operating loss which happened in spite of the Camanachd Association achieving a turnover of £500,000.

A loss of some sponsorship combined with a reduction in local authority grant funding at the beginning of the financial year didn't help, but additional staff costs were another major factor, according to Mr Barr. An increase in staff and administration costs could be explained, he said, by the fact that this was the first full year in which the association has borne the expense of a full staff complement since a number of vacancies were filled in recent times. As a result, this should stabilise for current and future years.
Increased competition costs have largely been offset by additional income from the association's shinty competitions.
Jim Barr paid tribute to the board, led by CEO Torquil Macleod, for its success in securing additional sponsorship - an 18 per cent increase on the 2010 figure - to more than offset the early losses in support funding.

The net result, though, is a small but significant operating loss.

"But we have various sources of unrestricted funding in the pipeline," said Mr Barr, on an optimistic note, adding: "I'm confidently telling you that we will recover this loss over the coming year."
Camanachd Association president, Archie Robertson, said: "We have seen a modest operating loss, but it is clearly manageable and we have the situation in hand."

On more practical matters, Mr Robertson went on to appeal to clubs to support the excellent coaching provision now being provided through the Camanachd Association. In a reference to the Graham Cormack's Sportscoach UK award, he said: "We have seen the quality of the association's coaching courses recognised here tonight.
"There are plenty of coaching courses, but these are not always full, so I would ask everyone to support and take advantage of these."

Another area of concern to the game's ruling body, this time raised by Torquil Macleod, is the relative shortage of shinty officials.
"We don't have enough to give the level of comfort we need," he commented.
"We can get by, but we really need more."

In a direct appeal to clubs, he said: "I would encourage people at clubs or involved in shinty to come forward and volunteer. The game can't operate without officials."

Archie Robertson closed on a positive note, saying: "There are a lot of positive things going on with shinty at the moment.

"We're running a totally amateur sport, and people tell us we're moving in the right direction. We now have a strategic plan to 2014, and I am optimistic for the future of shinty."


You can view the 2011 Camanachd Association annual report by clicking here
The 2011 annual accounts can be viewed here.