Coaching

Coaching Certificates It is essential for the benefit of any shinty player that they have quality coaching. Coaches come from all backgrounds and can get involved at a number of levels and with different ages of player. Once involved in coaching there are opportunities to develop further. By getting on the coaching ladder, individuals have the opportunity to progress up through the various Camanachd Association coaching qualifications while constantly enhancing their skills and knowledge. This will not only improve the ability of the individual but also the performance and enjoyment of the team.

Being involved in player development through coaching can bring great benefit to the person who is coaching as well as to the players whom he or she is coaching. So much can be learned whilst coaching, whether it be through working with other coaches and learning from them, or coaching different groups of players with mixed abilities. A successful coach should always be open to new ideas and want to continually improve their individual skills and knowledge of the game. The Camanachd Association courses will offer the perfect solution to all coaches who aim to improve their skills, knowledge, experience and enjoyment of the game. For further information please contact Natasha Andean at womens.shinty@gmail.com.

Refereeing

Foundation Refereeing Certificate in Shinty The Camanachd Association are committed to developing the skills and knowledge of referees and supporting them in developing as individuals. Women’s Shinty is always on the look out for Referees, for further information on this course or on any aspect of refereeing in shinty, please contact Natasha Andean at womens.shinty@gmail.com.

How is it Played

Shinty is a fast, physical contact sport played outdoors. The object of the game is to score goals. The full Rules of Play for shinty are contained in the Women’s Camanachd Association’s byelaws . In women’s shinty National Division 1 there are 10 players in each team – one of whom is always the goalkeeper. In Division 2, there are 8 players in each team – one of whom is always the goalkeeper. In women’s shinty and in some competitions for children and young people, the pitch dimensions are smaller compared with  senior men’s shinty. 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 women’s shinty the ultimate competition is the Valerie Fraser Cup, the final of which is held every September. Internationally shinty is only just developing, but an annual match between Shinty and the Irish game of Camogie –  takes place every October. A composite set of rules has been agreed between the Women’s Camanachd Association and its Irish counterpart, the Gaelic Athletic Association.

When shinty is played

The Women’s  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 Sunday. If an open competition/ league is known to require play on a day other than a Sunday then those entering a competition will be made aware of any variation in expected day of play at the time of entry.

Leagues & Structures

There are 3 Leagues within Women’s Shinty:

National Division 1 – 10-a-side league with teams from the North and South of Scotland competing against each other for the Valerie Fraser Cup.

North Division 2 –  8-a-side leagues primarily for clubs in the North of Scotland and competing with all clubs in division 2 for the Challenge Cup.

South Division 2 – 8-a-side leagues primarily for clubs in the South of Scotland and competing with all clubs in division 2 for the Challenge Cup.

Development League – 6-a-side tournaments primarily for newly established clubs or second teams with limited numbers.

Competition Overview

Women’s teams compete for several cups throughout the course of the season. The Valarie Fraser Womens Camanachd Cup – sponsored by MOWI, is open to all registered women’s teams.  Prior to the 2012 season, it was been predominately National Division 1 teams who have competed for this cup.  However, there has been a drive for Second Division teams to enter, resulting in a higher level of competition, with more teams and more fixtures.

The Challenge Cup – sponsored by MOWI, is open to all teams in the Second Divisions and Development leagues. Fixtures will run throughout the season and the final  played on the same day as the Valarie Fraser Cup Final.

The North vs South – supported by the Macaulay Association (strips funded by Superdrug & Boost PT), is held every September in Oban. It is a hard fought representative match featuring the best players from the women’s game.

Become a Player

There are opportunities for everyone to play shinty, whatever their age, gender, ability, race, culture or background. There are different forms of shinty from the small-sided game, such as First Shinty for young children taking their first steps in the game to the hugely popular six-a-side tournaments, to the more traditional 10-a-side Women’s game. 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. For the most talented players, there is a player pathway in place which provides a pyramid of participation identifying the key elements needed in foundation, through participation and performance to drive excellence at the top of the pathway. A player development pathway ensures that players are given the very best opportunities and support to reach their full potential, which at the elite end may mean playing top level shinty and even representing Scotland at many levels from Under 16 to adult for both men and women.

Rules

The Byelaws provide the rules and regulations of the game of shinty.

WCA Byelaws

WCA Pitch Dimensions

Guidelines

Pitch Dimensions

The objective of the game is to play a small ball into a goal, or “hail”, erected at the ends of a 140 to 170-yard-long pitch. The game is traditionally played on grass, although as of 2009 the sport may be played on artificial turf.

Equipment

In common with many other sports, shinty requires that team members have playing kit and that goals have goal nets. However, the unique equipment requirements for shinty are the caman (shinty stick) and shinty ball. The design and construction methods of a caman have evolved over many years. From a single piece of wood, often shaped from the branch of a tree, the caman developed through single piece hickory, spliced two-piece construction, up to the laminated hickory product in use today. Many young people starting out believe that a heavy head on the caman is essential to impart power into the moment of impact with the ball. However, the excellent caman is one that combines appropriate weight with balance, that elusive quality that is apparent as soon as one holds a well-made caman. Achieving that correct balance is a craft and the producers of camans are highly skilled artisans. The ball is made with a cork core wound with waxed thread and finished with a leather cover.

SUPPLIERS

Camanachd Association

First Shinty Sets and Goals. For more information call 01463 715931

Other Suppliers

Clothing Shinty Shop

Helmets Mycro Gear, Shinty Shop

Camans Shinty Shop, Tanera Camans, Argyll Shinty Shop, M&J Sloggie 01809 501248, Les Kerr 01369 860755, N Blair 01700 811569, A&B Camans 01540 661012

Balls Shinty Shop, Some clubs also provide balls

Equity The Association operates an Equal Opportunities Policy where no one is denied the right to equal access on the grounds of age, race, creed, colour, gender, disability, occupation, religion, sexual orientation or political persuasion or marital status or having or not having dependants. The policy means that there is equality of opportunity in terms of the playing rights and the rights of members to attend general meetings, vote and hold office.