Shinty round-up: Lochaber & Skye, January 20 2025

John Angus Gillies is new Skye Camanachd chairman

 

Skye Camanachd confirmed John Angus Gillies is their new chairman at a well-attended annual general meeting at the Skye Camanachd Clubhouse.

 

John Angus Gillies is well-known throughout the shinty community from his playing days with Skye, during which he was part of the club’s 1990 Camanachd Cup winning squad, and latterly as a Grade 1 referee who has refereed all shinty’s big games including the Camanachd Cup final.

 

He was the unanimous choice as chairman and takes over from another former player, Thomas Wilson, who had three years at the helm.

 

Thomas will stay on as vice chairman to help through the transitional process.

 

John Angus Gillies is enthusiastic about the many things that are happening at the island club and is looking forward to the season ahead.

 

He said: “I’m humbled and honoured to be asked to take on this role and I look at it as a new beginning for
everyone who has an interest in shinty on Skye. Everyone is welcome and I’m particularly keen to have a real family feel at the club.

 

“When you are going through your playing days, you don’t pay too much attention to how the club is run but a huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes.

 

My working life has taken me off Skye throughout the week for 20 years, but I’m now back home and looking to give something back to shinty on the island.

 

“There is so much to be optimistic about. The club are fielding two teams at under 14 level and another at under 17 level, whilst the men and women both have first and second teams.

 

“The growing number of players at all ages is such that improving our facilities is on the agenda whilst who wouldn’t fail to be impressed by the new Donnie Martin Stand which is nearing completion.

 

“I met the other day with the Skye Shinty Academy which is doing such fantastic work at primary school age so shinty in Skye is in safe hands.

 

“We are also fortunate to have three chaplains available to all our junior and senior players. There’s an established referee from Skye in Ewen Maclean whilst Keith MacKenzie and Bruce Crawford are emerging referees who both did well last season.

 

“There are one or two other potential new referee recruits too and that’s important for the game to flourish.

 

“The management teams for the various sides are largely unchanged and each of the Skye sides can point to their own successes last year.

 

“Preparations are under way and we are all pulling together in the same direction for more of the same for this season.”

 

Skye Camanachd also confirmed that the much-respected Jenny MacKenzie from Kyleakin will be their new chieftain. She takes over from Ewen Grant whose three-year tenure comes to an end.

Kilmallie search for match sponsors

 

Kilmallie are on the lookout for match sponsors for their senior teams’ home matches this season.

 

The club pledge to promote any new sponsors using their Facebook page which has more than 2,300 followers.

 

With fixture posters widely shared, each social media post can be seen by tens of thousands of people.

 

Each game costs £40 to sponsor and anyone interested can get in touch with the club through their Facebook page or contact club secretary Linda Campbell.