Mowi and shinty - a Scottish tradition
Fast paced action, impressive skill and that indomitable Scottish spirit.
As the bard Malcolm MacDonald waxed more than 130 years ago, “Eisdibh gus an chluinn sibh naidheachd ’S ann mu dheidhinn na camanachd,” or “Listen till you hear the news. It is about the shinty.”
Here in shinty country, where tradition runs as deep as the lochs and glens, Mowi is writing a new chapter in the history of Scotland’s oldest national sport. Thanks to their nearly 40 year partnership with the Camanachd Association, hundreds of amateur athletes across the Highlands and Islands can continue to enjoy this vibrant part of our national culture, while developing skills and supporting their health and wellbeing.
Combining work with sport - a great match
For employees like Archie Johnstone and Sarah Yoxon, Mowi’s support of shinty allows them to pursue a career in the Highlands and Islands and to engage in a sport they love.
Archie, who is Freshwater Lochs Area Manager and Smolt Transfer Logistics in the Mowi Farms office in Fort William, played shinty for 18 years at Glengarry Camanachd and Lochaber Camanachd.
“I loved playing shinty for the years I did and working for Mowi during all of those years,” said Archie.
"Many of my colleagues also played for these teams and Mowi has been a big part in supporting players and supporting the communities the players live in."
Sarah, a farm technician at the Loch Alsh site on Skye, is a star of the shinty world, having played as wing-forward for Skye Camanachd and the Mowi Women’s Camanachd Association National Division Team.
“I love playing shinty in Skye as there is a long history of the sport on the island and I enjoy being part of that.”
Sarah said: “Skye has a very strong shinty community. There has been success through the age ranks, which I think helps to motivate people to start and continue playing the sport, along with motivating people to help coach the teams. Having shinty on the island gives people a reason to meet up and socialise, not just the people who play, but also the people who like to watch. So for Mowi to continue its support of the sport allows all these things to carry on, which we are all very grateful for here on the island of Skye.”
Shinty - keeping people active
With more than 700 Mowi employees in the Highlands and Islands, there are many more stories just like Sarah and Archie.
“Shinty, and sport in general, reduces loneliness and anti-social behaviour and makes people feel more connected to their community,” said Derek Keir, Chief Executive Officer of the Camanachd Association. “Opportunities to train regularly, to play games and socialise with friends near and far connect our communities across Scotland and this is especially important in some of the rural communities our sport serves.
He continued: “Keeping people active requires an incredible contribution from a wide range of partners and sponsors like Mowi and other local businesses make community sport possible through their sponsorship and by providing high quality job opportunities that ensure people of all ages stay and live their lives across our playing community."
Under Mowi’s latest Camanachd sponsorship agreement, it is supporting senior league competitions, youth leagues, the Mowi National Shinty Awards, as well as the Mowi Youth Development Fund, Area Development Grant and the newly-sponsored Disability Festival.
This is in addition to a five-figure investment earlier this year to subsidise the cost of helmets, making them more affordable and accessible to players.
Mowi is proud to have sponsored Camanachd for 38 years, making it one of, if not the longest, running sponsorships in Scottish sports history. Check out The Caman Man video via the link below:
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