Kyles Athletic confirm management teams

He said: “I always felt I’d return to senior management at some point but not as early as this. 
“When the first team manager’s vacancy came up, Grant Profit stepped up from his second team role which gave me the opportunity to return with the second team, so I took it. 

 

“I’m looking forward to it. We have quite a few promising youngsters coming through and South Division 2 is the perfect platform for them to play shinty, not feel any great pressure at this stage in their development and to perform above their ability and age. 

 

“Obviously, I still want them to have a winning mentality in each game, but the main focus will be in developing these players for the future.  

 

“Some of these young players were involved with the second team last year, playing full games as youths and being relied upon each week to play in South Division 1. 

 

“With this team now playing in South 2, it should lighten the burden, allow the teammates of a similar age group game time and start building a team for the future.” 

James Perlich also offered his support to new first team manager Grant Profit.  He said: “I’ve not had a great amount of time working with Grant but I’ve only head positive things about him. 

 

“For me, a sign of a good manager is if they are held in high regard by their players. From what I’ve seen, the second team players have this respect for Grant for what he’s contributed to their team over the years. 

 

“I’d encourage the first team players to show that same regard. After doing the job myself, I understand the challenges Grant faces and will support him in any way possible.”  

 

James has already started planning for the season ahead and has some weighty experience to help his cause. 
He said: “Andrew King and Callum Millar have both just retired from first team shinty but have both expressed intentions to help by playing for the second team when available. 

 

“Dunky Kerr has also expressed his intention to play. If this were to happen, our young players would be learning on the field of play from the best. 

 

“Imagine being a 14-year-old and being guided as to how to play the game by players who are ex-internationals, multi-trophy winners and player of the year award winners. That would be an incredible opportunity for these young players.”

 

James Perlich set out the challenges facing Kyles Athletic. 

 

He commented: “Player availability is only one of the challenges faced by Kyles. 

 

“There has definitely been a massive impact on player availability and commitment post Covid. Players who can make themselves available every Saturday for the duration of the season are few and far between. 

 

“Family life, holidays and socialising seem to take priority. 

 

“The distance travelled on a Saturday in the Premiership, is another challenge. It is unmatched by any other club and a huge commitment from players and coaches to undertake. 

 

“Leaving at 6am and returning at midnight from trips to Kinlochshiel or Skye is probably incomparable to any other effort undertaken by any other sport to ensure a 90-minute fixture happens. 

 

“You could almost fly to New York and back in the time you spend on the road heading through the glens. Asking players to commit to this on a weekly basis is not easy. 

 

“It shows how much shinty players and coaches who have committed to this schedule over the years love their sport, their club and their team and I have enormous respect for efforts of that level.  

 

“I’m sure Grant is one who will lead by example with his unwavering commitment and I encourage his players to get behind him. As for what the season will bring for both teams, for me that will depend on whether everyone shows that commitment. 

 

“If the players can commit to playing each Saturday, we can field two settled squads each week. 

 

“If players commit to training, avoid injuries and the lucky stars align, I believe both teams can accomplish great things this season. You must have that belief and level of commitment to match what you believe can be achieved.”

 

The Kyles youth teams haven’t been abandoned as James Perlich added: “I also intend to continue coaching at all youth levels but will have help from recently retired first team players Thomas Whyte, Dunky Kerr, Gordon Whyte and Callum Millar. 

“Having these guys continue to give back to Kyles through coaching our youths is the most valuable part in our current youth set-up. 

 

“My son Callum plays and he’s 10 years old. He eats, sleeps and breathes shinty. He’s delighted I’ve taken on the second team as it means he gets to tag along too and he’ll have plenty opportunity to use his favourite saying: “Yessss, more shinty!” 

There will be more shinty for Callum’s dad too with Kyles Athletic Shinty Club the beneficiary.