Get involved in shinty today!
There are opportunities for everyone to play shinty, whatever their age, gender, ability, race, culture or background. From volunteering to playing your first game or simply joining a training session. We have a role to suit your needs just complete the form to your right and our local team will be in touch to connect you to your nearest club.
Young players start out playing First Shinty being introduced to the key skills of the game using rubber headed, flexible camans. As the players progress they are introduced to using the wooden caman and taught the basic skills of blocking to protect themselves and cleeking, or hooking, to prevent their opponent playing the ball. However you choose to enjoy playing shinty, there are teams across Scotland providing opportunities in an ever increasing number of communities.
There is a player pathway (available here). If you are struggling to find a club, or want more information, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us.
Shinty is a fast, physical contact sport played outdoors. The object of the game is to score more goals than the opposition.
The rules of play for shinty are contained in the Camanachd Association’s byelaws , but variations to these rules, mainly to do with numbers in a team and the dimensions of the field of play, exist for women’s shinty and for children and young people.
In men’s shinty there are 12 players in each team – one of whom is always the goalkeeper.
In women’s shinty and in some competitions for children and young people, there are fewer players in the team and the pitch dimensions are smaller.
Each player has a caman, or curved stick, and it is with the caman that the small leather ball is struck. A well-struck shinty ball can travel over 100 metres at very high speed.
Competitive shinty is organised into league and knock-out cup competitions at various levels and grades. In the men’s game the most coveted trophies are the Camanachd Cup, first played for in 1895 and in women’s shinty the ultimate competition is the Valerie Fraser Cup. Both these events take place in September each year.
Internationally shinty is only just developing but an annual match between shinty and the Irish game of hurling (Camogie when played by women) – which have the same historic roots, although each has evolved in its own way – takes place in October. A composite set of rules has been agreed between the Camanachd Association and its Irish counterpart, the Gaelic Athletic Association.
When shinty is played
The Camanachd Association is supportive of shinty matches being played on any day of the week in circumstances where a team involved in any individual fixture/ game indicates acceptance of the chosen day, if it is other than a Saturday.
If an open competition/ league is known to require play on a day other than a Saturday then those entering a competition will be made aware of any variation in expected day of play at the time of entry.
Pitch Dimensions
Shinty Pitch Specification –The pitch dimensions can be up to 155m long by 73m wide. Although some developmental competitions for children and young people take place indoors, or outdoors on artificial surfaces, shinty is primarily an outdoor sport played on a natural grass surface. The playing area is much larger than for other outdoor team sports such football (soccer), rugby or field hockey.
Facilities
Case Study – Kilmallie Shinty Club Changing Pavilion
Project Guidance From Sport Scotland
COVID – 19
The Camanachd Association would like to bring your attention to the facilities advice and guidance on the sportscotland webpage. It has been compiled from several sources with a view to assisting clubs in this stage of lockdown to minimise the impact on getting back to play sport.
This will be helpful for clubs in decommissioning their facilities where possible to minimise risk and cost when getting back to sport. It should be emphasised that any one going out should do so under the Scottish Government guidance on social distancing.
Update regarding the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Support available to clubs and community sport organisations page – https://sportscotland.org.uk/c…
sportscotland are currently working on guidance on getting clubs facilities ready to play sport. They are collating advice and guidance for the main work areas that clubs will need to carry out to get their facilities fit for sport after lockdown. The timing of issuing this is important as it must be early enough for clubs to prepare, but not too early that we induce people to break lockdown early.
Details of the equipment that the Camanachd Association can supply and a list of alternative suppliers of equipment and kit is available below.
2024 CA Equipment – Price list- Suppliers
The regulations governing the size of the caman and the ball are stipulated in the Rules of Play, which is Bye-Law 1.
From the 2021 season all players must wear a helmet.
Background details available Shinty Helmet – Faceguard compliance
If you are over 18 and you do not want to wear a helmet you must sign a helmet waiver form. You can access the helmet waiver form here..
The Camanachd Association has guidelines on the use of Goalposts including portable versions here.
The Camanachd Association provides a template Risk Assessment here.
The Camanachd Association would like to make everyone aware of the updated Scottish Sport Concussion Guidelines. here
The Camanachd Association are one of the core sports who were involved in this latest update and were represented by Dr Jonathan Hanson, formally of Broadford on Skye who is now with the Scottish Institute of Sport. The Camanachd Association would like to express their thanks to Dr Hanson for his support.
Get involved in shinty today!
There are opportunities for everyone to play shinty, whatever their age, gender, ability, race, culture or background. From volunteering to playing your first game or simply joining a training session. We have a role to suit your needs just complete the form to your right and our local team will be in touch to connect you to your nearest club.
Young players start out playing First Shinty being introduced to the key skills of the game using rubber headed, flexible camans. As the players progress they are introduced to using the wooden caman and taught the basic skills of blocking to protect themselves and cleeking, or hooking, to prevent their opponent playing the ball. However you choose to enjoy playing shinty, there are teams across Scotland providing opportunities in an ever increasing number of communities.
There is a player pathway (available here). If you are struggling to find a club, or want more information, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us.
Teachers CPD
This support is based on an individual needs analysis for each teacher or group of teachers and may include practically based short courses, workshops and mentoring. The main focus will be on the Shinty ‘What to Coach’ elements of our Foundation Coaching qualification. Qualifications – Foundation
The support we provide to schools is aligned within our Curriculum for Excellence document
There is no charge for this support and a Camanachd Association CPD certificate will be awarded
For more information, contact our National Development Manager Ronald Ross at ronald.ross@shinty.com or on 07718 630563.
Coaching philosophy: youth & senior
A coaching philosophy is a reflection of the way in which our values about human beings, sport and coaching are translated into a coherent set of principles or guidelines.
These represent our intentions about the implementation of the coaching process and what should be emphasised within it.
The coaching philosophy says something about you. It can be used as a framework for our coaching behaviours. We can therefore evaluate our practice against our declared intentions.
Contact your Regional Development Team member for a confidential chat.
The focus for Youth coaching is:
Qualifications Foundation
The Foundation Certificate Course is a six hour Practical/Theory course designed to assist any adult (16 years old or over) to coach at First Shinty level and assist at Youth level.
Qualifications Level 1
The course is designed to assist Foundation Certificate Coaches and experienced ‘Shinty’ people to coach at Youth level and assist at Senior level.
Qualifications Level 2
The course is designed to assist CA Level 1 coaches, very experienced ‘Shinty’ people and experienced PE Teachers to be a Head Coach at Youth and Senior level. This course is nationally recognised throughout UK sport as a kite-mark of excellence.
View events calendar
A number of resources are available to support the development of shinty in your community. We have a number of coach and officiating courses to support development and we have also developed a resource for developing core skills in shinty.
cottages.com Shinty Skills Award
This scheme focuses on coaching and developing the “core skills” of Shinty including the ready position, Hitting – Shooting and passing, dribbling, tackling – blocking and cleaking, control, shies and hit ins.
Alongside the core skills, the participant’s behaviour, attitude, application and understanding will also be monitored as part of the process.
The scheme is broken down to various levels, where an award for completion of a level will be given to individuals. This gives the individual an incentive to work on these basic skills, while at the same time it will provide the coach with useful information and direction on how to structure their practice/training sessions, and will highlight which skills need practiced most regularly within the group.
The scheme shouldn’t be used in isolation, but as an integral part of a coaching programme, so that over time players will be given opportunities to practice their skills, develop sportsmanship and a sense of commitment to the team or group, foster enjoyment, and it will become an effective method of developing technical skill. Each level will be achieved through a mixture of coach’s observations and technical skills tests. These tests don’t always have to be performed in a strict testing environment, they can be built in to drills where the coach will be analysing the performance without the participant knowing they are being tested – the coach has discretion here and should do what he/she feels is best for the individual/group.
Levels of progression
Under 8’s (P1 – P3) FUNdamentals Phase
Under 10’s (P4 and P5) Play to Learn Phase
Under 12’ (P6 and P7) Play to Develop Phase
Under 14’s (S1 and S2) Learn to compete Phase Under 17’s (S3 – S5) Train to compete Phase
Clubs could consider their Long Term Player Development structure and a Skills Age Pathway. Click on the links for detailed information.
Core Skills information (Click Link)
Ready Position – Dribbling – Controlling – Passing/Hitting – Tackling – Shies
On line resources:
www.igameplanner.com – Shinty is included in the sports coaching website igameplanner which allows coaches to copy and share practices and session plans. The site also offers the opportunity for coaches to set up information on their squad and club.
Coaching resources:
Funding
The Camanachd Association and sportscotland are working in partnership to keep CA Coaching course fees as low as possible for coaches from our clubs and affiliated schools.
Additional funding opportunities for other courses may be available for clubs or individuals through Local Authorities and Sports Councils.
For more information, contact members of the Development Team on 01463 715931.
Coach Development
It is important that Coaches always consider their Coaching Philosophy alongside their Development.
In addition to the Coaching qualifications available, and detailed on individual pages, there are a number of Coach Development opportunities including ones for Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Coach Development Forums:
Coaches will be invited to attend and contribute to the development of the sport of Shinty
Coach Development Workshops:
Coaches are invited to attend workshops which will focus on Generic sports coaching skills provided by sportscotland and Shinty specific coaching skills provided by the Camanachd Association. e.g. Long Term Player Development – Techniques – Skill development – Fitness Training & Injury Prevention – Team Dynamics – Analysing your Coaching – Tactics – Developing practices.
Coach Mentoring: CA Level 1 and 2 qualified coaches will be allocated an individual mentor to assist them in their on-going development.
Future Developments:
Coach Scholarships: Coaches who can demonstrate a requirement to undertake activities not offered by the Camanachd Association plus a beneficial outcome to the sport may be eligible for additional funding support.
Development Experiences
Committed and ambitious coaches will have the opportunity to progress upwards in the pathway and coach at Club/Inter Area/Inter District/ National U-21 and Senior Men’s and women’s levels.
Detailed information on all of the above will be posted on the Website News page, when available, or is available from members of the Development Team 01463 715931
Speed Agility Quickness
Speed Agility Quickness (SAQ) Foundation Coaching Certificate in Shinty A 6 hour Practical/Theory course designed to assist any adult (16 years old or over) to coach SAQ to shinty teams. Course Fee: £30
Get involved in shinty today!
There are opportunities for everyone to play shinty, whatever their age, gender, ability, race, culture or background. From volunteering to playing your first game or simply joining a training session. We have a role to suit your needs just complete the form to your right and our local team will be in touch to connect you to your nearest club.
Young players start out playing First Shinty being introduced to the key skills of the game using rubber headed, flexible camans. As the players progress they are introduced to using the wooden caman and taught the basic skills of blocking to protect themselves and cleeking, or hooking, to prevent their opponent playing the ball. However you choose to enjoy playing shinty, there are teams across Scotland providing opportunities in an ever increasing number of communities.
There is a player pathway (available here). If you are struggling to find a club, or want more information, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us.
The Camanachd Association are committed to recruiting, supporting and developing a network of officials that can help enhance the game of shinty. Course descriptors can be found below and please note all officiating courses and workshops are delivered free of charge.
Youth University Foundation Referee
Foundation Referee
Level 1
For more information, contact National Development Manager Ronald Ross on ronald.ross@shinty.com.
Officiating resources
Resources to support the officiating courses can be downloaded below.
For the rules of the game please look at
- Rules And Regulations Bye Law 1
If you would like to discuss officiating please contact:
- Ronald Ross the National Development Manager
- Tel: 01463 715931
- Email: ronald.ross@shinty.com
Development Experiences
Committed and ambitious referees will have the opportunity to progress upwards in the Grades and officiate at Cup Finals/ Inter District/ National games
Grade 3: Referee Youth Finals – Assist at Cup Finals
Grade 2: Referee Reserve Finals – Assist Senior Finals/Inter District
Grade 1: Referee or assist at Senior Finals/Inter District/International
The Match Officials Development Pathway is available to download here
For more information, contact Ronald Ross on information above.
Mowi is a world leading aquaculture and seafood company and the largest producer of farmed salmon. Having sponsored shinty for over 30 years Mowi are the title sponsors for the Shinty/Hurling International, Premiership, National Division, North Division 1, 2 and 3, South Division 1 and 2, all youth leagues and the Women’s Camanachd Association Senior Leagues and Competitions.
For more than 90 years, Tulloch Homes have become the byword in Scotland for high quality homes delivering the highest standards in location, design and construction – as well as superior interior features and finishes. Tulloch Homes sponsor the Camanachd Cup.
Cottages.com is home to a unique family of specialist cottage collections. Choosing the right people to let your holiday home is incredibly important, but you can rest assured that with decades of experience helping thousands of owners like you get the most from their holiday homes, we make the whole experience enjoyable, hassle-free and most of all, a success.
Scotland’s largest independent industrial supply group.
Ferguson Transport & Shipping, a family run business since 1959, is now proudly one of the largest independent logistic companies in the Highlands & Islands of Scotland, and has strategically located Operation Centres throughout the rest of the UK.
Macron are the official kit supplier for the Camanachd Association. You can purchase a number of Camanachd garments by clicking the Scotland ALBA kit.
Royal Bank sponsor the Young Shinty Ambassadors.
Rathbones provide individual investment and wealth management services for private clients, charities, trustees and professional partners. They have been trusted for generations to manage and preserve our clients’ wealth. Their tradition of investing and acting responsibly has been with them from the beginning and continues to lead us forward
‘Helping young people get active and stay involved in sport is something that has always been important to us at Rathbones. We look forward to working with the Association and their supporters to bring the thrill of this traditional Scottish sport to new audiences, and see it grow in popularity in the years to come.’ Calum MacLean, Investment Manager, Rathbones.
MKM Building Supplies sponsor the Bullough Cup.
Mikeysline was formed out of tragedy to offer hope and support to others. A grassroots charity, we remain true to our aims and to the people of the Highlands and Moray. Our focus is to support people of all ages at the most difficult and vulnerable points in their life.
An innovative partnership with Scottish Counselling Services allows Camancahd Association clubs access to 6 free sessions each per year.