Caitlin Mutch (right) alongside fellow ambassador Amber MacKay

As we draw ever closer to the start of the season, from 17th May for youths & 6th June for seniors, we at the CA would like to celebrate the contribution of the often unsung hero, the shinty referee. The below profile is of Caitlin Mutch who has taken her first steps into officiating these last couple of years.

Caitlin is an 18 year old from Inverness and is currently studying at Culloden Academy and is in her final year. She will be heading to Stirling University to study PE teaching in September. She enjoys a multitude of different sports with shinty being her favourite. Caitlin started playing shinty in P6 at her primary school. Since then she has played for Inverness and has represented Scotland at the under 18 age level.

She became a referee when the opportunity arose to participate in the referee foundation course and since then has refereed junior shinty. Her favourite game that she has officiated was the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup semi-final where she line judged. It is her favourite because it was a very important match in the lead up to the biggest cup in shinty. The worst thing about refereeing for her is the pressure she puts on herself to be fair, as she knows what it’s like to feel hard done by due to a decision.

The Camanachd Assocaition is looking for new officials, if you are interested in taking the first steps into refereeing, please contact paul.macarthur@shinty.com