Participants

Recognising Contribution

Recognising Contribution

2011 Marine Harvest Award winners

The 2011 Marine Harvest National Shinty Award Winners were announced at a ceremony in Inverness.

The awards were presented by Marine Harvest Managing Director, Alan Sutherland.  A criteria for all awards is available here.

The winners are as follows:

Scottish Hydro Premier Division Coach of the Year – Norman MacArthur, Newtonmore

Norman has led the team from winning the MacTavish Cup years ago to winning the league for the past two years to reclaiming the Camanachd Cup this season after 25 years.  He was a great player himself and is a great role model to all the players in Newtonmore; he has instilled the confidence in the team that was lacking.  

Marine Harvest North Div 1 Coach of the Year – Johnston Gill, Kinlochshiel

Kinlochshiel have had an outstanding season, earning promotion to the Premier League for the first time, and without dropping a league point, they have also defeated Premier Division teams Lovat and Glenurquhart in Cup competitions and taken Kingussie to extra time, the man behind this achievement is their coach Johnston Gill.

Marine Harvest North Div 2 Coach of the Year - Cammy MacDonald, Glen Tonkin, Newtonmore

The Coaches of Newtonmore have led the team to League and Strathdearn Cup success this season with a group of players with the average age of 20.  Cammy MacDonald and Glen Tonkin have made a group of young lads believe in themselves enough to eventually dominate a very tough league. Throughout the season the team were only defeated on 2 occasions once in the league and once in the Sutherland Cup and on both occasions to Glenurquhart.

Marine Harvest North Div 3 Coach of the Year – Terry Stebbings, Kenny MacLeod, Aberdeen University

After being defeated in a play off last year Terry Stebbings and Kenny MacLeod have led Aberdeen University to success in winning Marine Harvest North Division 3 this season. The team were undefeated in the league winning all 15 of the matches in which they played and were only defeated by Kingussie in the Sutherland Cup and Glenurquhart in the Strathdearn Cup. Terry was also responsible for organisation a Dinner and Ceilidh for 300 guests on the night of the Sutherland Cup Final which was held in Aberdeen.

Marine Harvest South Div 1 Coach of the Year – Barry Martin, David McVey, Bute

Barry Martin and Davie MacVey have worked very hard to help Bute win the Balliemore Cup and gain promotion to the Premier Division after only 1 season in Marine Harvest South Division  1. Together they have worked tirelessly with the team for many years giving freely of their time.  Barry is always there for his team and club and Davie is a great trainer and motivator.

Marine Harvest South Div 2 Coach of the Year – Donald MacDonald, Strachur

One man more than anyone else has been responsible for shinty in Strachur over many years and it is fitting that following the club winning Marine Harvest South Division 2 that Donald “Donut” MacDonald receives the Marine Harvest South Division 2 Coach of the Year 2011.

Premier Div Player of the Year – Roddy MacDonald, Kyles Athletic

Roddy has had a fantastic season at the heart of a free scoring Kyles attack.  He scores goals, makes goals, can play in any position when needed to and is the key difference between Kyles this season and last season.  Roddy gives his all until the final whistle and never gives up.

Marine Harvest North Div 1 Player of the Year - Keith MacRae, Kinlochshiel

Keith captained Kinlochshiel to success in Marine Harvest North Division 1 winning all 14 matches and was also selected for Scotland Senior Squad for the Shinty Hurling International.  He is dedicated to the game, and has shown great skill all season, making lots of goals for those around him as well as scoring many himself.  Keith is following in the footsteps of big brother Finlay who won this award last season.

Marine Harvest North Div 2 Player of the Year – Evan Menzies, Newtonmore

Injury has forced Evan out of the reckoning for Newtonmore 1st team and their loss is the 2nd teams gain.  He is undoubtedly the top player in this league this season and is head and shoulders above the rest.  Evan leads by example and is a great role model for his younger teammates.

Marine Harvest North Div 3 Player of the Year – Stewart Cameron, Aberdeen University

Despite not having a shinty background Stewart Cameron is one of the most committed players currently playing for Aberdeen University.  He played in all league games last season and was also present at every training session.  Stewart relishes the cup matches where he can up his game and test himself against higher quality opposition.

Marine Harvest South Div 1 Player of the Year – Iain McDonald, Bute

One of the best defenders in Scotland, Iain gives his all whether in practice or match day, he is the backbone of his team.  A Great role model who never misses training and had the chance to play premier league this season but stayed loyal to Bute.  He has undoubtedly been instrumental in them going straight back up to the Premier Division.  Iain is also well suited to Shinty Hurling and manager Drew MacNeil has recalled him to the squad after last weeks match in Athy.

Marine Harvest South Div 2 Player of the Year – Ian MacLennan, Strachur

Ian has had a great season in 2011 and his strength in the tackle and efficient use of the ball from his defensive position has been vital to Strachur’s capture of Marine Harvest South Division 1. Ian could surely play at a higher level, if he wished.

Marine Harvest Coach of the Year – Norman MacArthur, Newtonmore

Marine Harvest Player of the Year – Roddy MacDonald, Kyles Athletic

Marine Harvest Youth Coach of the Year – Murdo Fraser, Kinlochshiel

Murdo is an enthusiast who has worked successfully with all youth age groups for many years. He coaches both Under 14 & Under 17 teams. The Under 14 team won the Macmaster Cup last year, and the Under 17 team are in semi final of London Shield this year. In addition several of the youngsters which Murdo has coached are now regulars with Kinlochshiel 2nd team  

Under 21 Player of the Year – Rory Kennedy, Newtonmore

What an amazing talent this young defender has! Rory has managed to keep the likes of Gary Innes, Gary Macpherson, Ronald Ross quiet during every game against Newtonmore.  Rory has performed at a high level for Newtonmore 1st team all season, has not missed a game, has great attitude on the park and in training.  He is a credit to his club and a true professional.

Under 17 Player of the Year – Gary McKerracher, Oban Celtic

Before playing with Oban Celtic, Gary had won all primary school trophies while playing for Park Primary School.  He has represented south shinty at under 14 and under 17 level for the past five years and this year captained the victorious South Under 17 squad to victory in the annual North v South Inter District competition.  He loves the sport of shinty and has dedicated many, many hours to training and playing at all levels.

Under 14 Player of the Year – Will Cowie, Skye

For someone so young he has great vision and skill and has already tasted MacMaster and MacTavish Juvenile success with Skye Camanachd.  At just 14 years of age, Will is also a regular scorer for Skye Camanachd 2^nd.

Marine Harvest Club of the Year – Kyles Athletic

Kyles Athletic have been the most consistent team through 2011 and their Macaulay Cup win was an example to all others out there to not giving up until the final whistle.  Kyles Athletic have increased the standards of fitness and set the bench mark for others.  As the winners of two senior trophies, with 2nd team reaching Sutherland Cup Final, Kyles have developed an exciting young team.  They have been a breath of fresh air for the sport in countering the dominance of a few north clubs in recent seasons.

The Johnny “Ach” MacRae Quaich Referee of the Year – Deek Cameron

Having won “Emerging Referee of the Year” last year, he has followed it up this year with the “Referee of the Year” award.  Deek has become a very good referee with a great knowledge of game and a fitness level that rivals most players. As well as making important decisions he lets play flow when it should, as well as employing a good use of the advantage rule.

Emerging Referee of the Year – Gus Campbell

Gus has very quickly become a very good referee.  Due to his playing experience Gussie has the respect of the players and also advises the younger ones if they “go in on the wrong side” which is what refereeing in the lower divisions should be about.

William Paterson Salver Volunteer of the Year – Steven MacKenzie, Aberdeen University

Steven has played shinty for Aberdeen for 17 years, currently making him the longest serving player and the person that has played the most games.  He is passionate about the game in every way, his enthusiasm and desire to see shinty being promoted led him to undertake the research and writing of a book titled ‘Keeping the camanachd flag flying’ , which sets out the history of Aberdeen Shinty club.  Along with the support of his team mates, he organised the 2011 Sutherland Cup final in Aberdeen along with a commemorative dinner dance at the Beach Ballroom.

Donella Crawford Award for Youth & Schools – Colm O’Rua, Ardnamurchan

Though not from a shinty background, Colm more than anyone is responsible for the playing of shinty in the Ardnamurchan Peninsula.  Colm puts a huge amount of time and energy into motivating the Ardnamurchan players.

Fair Play Award 1 Team Club – Lewis Camanachd

In their 1st season playing in Marine Harvest North Division 3 Lewis fulfilled all 18 league fixtures and throughout the season only had 1 player booked. The referees have commented on the sportsmanship of the Lewis Camanachd players.

Fair Play Award 2 Team Club – Skye Camanachd

This is the 3rd year in a row that Skye have won the fair play award and in 2011 the 1st team played 18 games without a booking or sending off. Skye’s emphasis on sportsmanship and fair play are recognised throughout the shinty world and make Skye an enjoyable team to referee.

Centenary Award for Outstanding service to the sport of Shinty – Willie MacDonald, Ballachulish

The recipient of The Camanachd Associations Centenary Award which is presented every 3 years to a person who has given outstanding service to shinty is Willie MacDonald from Ballachulish.  Willie has been associated with Ballachulish Shinty Club for more than half a century. He has held most roles within the club as well as serving on many of the committees within the Camanachd Association including the Old South Executive Committee.  As well as being a Match Assessor on a Saturday Willie is presently a member of the Camanachd Referees Association, the Disciplinary Committee and a member of the Officials Working Group who appoint referees to the various matches.

Latest News