As part of the Strategic Review of the Camanachd Association a commitment was given that a review of the present competition structure would be undertaken this year with any recommendation for change to go to the Annual General Meeting early next year for implementation in 2014.

A small group has been set up under the chairmanship of Richard Gall, Competitions Director to undertake this task. This will involve an examination of the present league structure, the cup competitions and such opportunities as there exist for players to play shinty at representative level.

As part of this review process, the Camanachd Association would like to consult with all stakeholders – clubs, associations, players, referees, sponsors and individuals who have the best interests of the sport at heart and would like to be involved in shaping the future development.

Some of the issues that have been brought up with regard to the present league structure are as follows:

A ten team Premier League may be too large: with a reduction to 8 teams there would be more room for representative games.

North Division 1 has only 7 teams under the present set up, and this season a third round of fixtures was added to give the clubs more matches.

There is an issue with reserve teams in the South Div. 1 having to be relegated if a premier team moves down. There is always a possibility that the same could happen in North 1.

Only once in last four years, have the league competitions been completed prior to the Shinty Hurling international. Twice it has been the end of November and once it was the middle of December.

Recently the Senior Shinty Hurling International has been played on a home and away basis, although both the Under 21’s and Womens’ team have only had one match. Should we expand this to enable all three teams to have annual home and away fixtures or should we revert to just one fixture per team each year?

Doubtless there are many other comments that may be made in relation to the status quo and of course, problems may be found in any competition structure. It may be that the current structure is as good as can be achieved at the present time.

Nevertheless the Camanachd Association would be grateful for your participation in this part of the consultation which takes the form of a questionnaire.  Closing date for responses is 26th October 2012.

This will be followed up with a series of road shows in various locations throughout the shinty playing areas in November to allow members to discuss the findings of the questionnaire and consider any suggestions which have been made. Thereafter any recommendations will be presented to the Board of the Association in December following which they will go to the General Meeting.

For more information, please contact Astie Cameron on 01463 715931.