News Article
ORION GROUP & SPORTSMATCH SUPPORT YOUTH SAFETY HELMETS
Thursday, February 21st, 2013 at 4:05PM
The Camanachd Association is pleased to announce that Orion Group have extended their sponsorship of shinty to support the introduction of safety helmets for all youth shinty players. Their sponsorship has also been matched through sportscotland’s SPORTSMATCH scheme.
From the start of the 2013 season, all players aged 17 and under will be required to wear a helmet and faceguard in both youth and senior shinty competitions. This ruling has been in place for a number of years for players aged 14 years or under and has proven successful in reducing the number of injuries within the sport at this level.
Orion Group currently sponsor the game’s top league, Orion Group Premiership, and this additional funding in 2013 allows the Camanachd Association to distribute an initial allocation of free helmets to all shinty clubs.
Scott Burns-Smith, Head of Marketing & Communications at Orion said: “Health and Safety plays a major role across our industry sector so what better way to support our sponsorship of shinty’s Premiership league than by being involved in this extremely important initiative. Shinty is a physical and challenging game but it’s equally important we recognise the importance of safety for our young players.”
Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: “We are delighted to have awarded £4,000 to The Camanachd Association as part of the SPORTSMATCH award scheme, which aims to support grassroots projects that encourage participation within communities, especially youth age groups. The safety of young shinty players is of paramount importance and this funding will assist in providing free helmets to all shinty clubs, enabling the Camanachd Association to comply with the latest rule introduction more easily.”
Camanachd Association National Development Officer, Ronald Ross MBE, said: “I am delighted that through the sponsorship from The Orion Group and sportscotland we are able to provide all clubs with helmets, making the rule introduction a great deal simpler for all involved. It is very important that we continue to promote shinty as a safe sport.”
The senior shinty season starts on Saturday 2nd March, with the youth season following suit on Tuesday 16th April.
PHOTO: From L-R Inverness’ Connor MacIntyre (16) and Christopher Johnson (15), sportscotland Partnership Manager Garry Reid, Orion Group’s Head of Marketing & Communications Scott Burns-Smith and Ronald Ross MBE.
