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
Details of the equipment that the Camanachd Association can supply and a list of alternative suppliers of equipment and kit is available below.
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.
Helmets are compulsory for all players with Over 25s able to sign a helmet waiver to opt out of wearing a helmet until 2027.
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 coach shinty, whatever their age, gender, ability, race, culture or background. From volunteering at grassroots level to leading training sessions or supporting a team on matchday, there is a role to suit you. Complete the form to your right and our local team will be in touch to connect you with your nearest club.
Coaches play a vital role in introducing young players to the game through First Shinty, helping them develop core skills in a safe and supportive environment using rubber-headed, flexible camans. As players progress, coaches guide the transition to wooden camans, teaching essential techniques such as blocking for safety and cleeking, or hooking, to challenge opponents effectively. Across Scotland, clubs are seeking committed coaches to support participation and development in a growing number of communities.
There is a clear coaching pathway, with support and development opportunities at every stage. If you are unsure where to start, are struggling to connect with a club, or would like more information, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Click here to download Coaching Cards. The cards also contain QR codes so you can see the drills being run.
On line resources:
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
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.
Get involved in shinty today!
Referees are vital to the continued development of shinty and refereeing is an excellent way to keep fit and stay involved in the great game. The Camanachd Association are looking to recruit more male and female referees for the 2025 season and beyond, particularly for senior league and cup matches.
As a shinty referee you get:
- Match fee & mileage allowance
- Matches can be allocated on a local basis
- Matches can be allocated to fit with your availability
- The knowledge that you are giving back to Scotland’s community sport.
As a first step towards getting involved all you need to do is attend a FREE Foundation Refereeing Course.
If you are interested, or if you know someone who would be, please get in touch with
Astie Cameron on 07912 731295 / astie.cameron@shinty.com
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.
The Camanachd Association invite any organisation interested in helping the growth of Scotland's Community sport to contact admin@shinty.com.We have a range of sponsorship packages available for different levels of involvement and would welcome the chance to discuss what suits your organisation.
Mowi is a world leading aquaculture and seafood company and the largest producer of farmed salmon. As well as sponsoring all of the leagues across the men’s, women’s and youth game; Mowi also enable the delivery of the Annual Awards, the Shinty/Hurling International, the Disability Festival, the Women’s Cups and the Mowi Youth Development Fund.
For more than 100 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.
WM Donald Ltd sponsor the MacTavish cup and provide civil engineering construction services to a range of clients in the commercial and public sectors. With a long-standing record of success across Scotland in the construction industry they have a proven track record of bringing projects to completion in time and to budget. WM Donald provides a comprehensive range of services throughout Scotland including: earthworks, sewers, roads, surfacing, street lighting, multi utilities WIRS + GIRS, suction excavation and drainage services.
Scotland’s largest independent industrial supply group, sponsoring the Sutherland Cup.
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. They sponsor the Balliemore Cup.
O’Neills are the official kit supplier for the Camanachd Association.
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.
A company firmly rooted in the communities where shinty thrives, Highland Broadband is helping to ensure that rural areas are not left behind by delivering high-quality broadband connectivity across the Highlands and Islands.
As part of their support for Shinty’s Story – Sgeul na Camanachd, Highland Broadband has partnered with the Camanachd Association to help raise vital funds for the continued development of the exhibition and heritage project.
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.
UHI is an integrated university encompassing both further and higher education.
UHI is more than a college and more than a university. We are part of a new breed of tertiary institutions, the only one in Scotland and one of only a few in Europe.
We are a diverse and flexible partnership serving our communities and connected to their needs. Our greatest strength is the diversity and flexibility of our partnership and this empowers us to deliver more.
We are proud of our unique place and deep roots in our communities and this makes our teaching and research more connected to their needs.
We have 36,000 students at the heart of our partnership and we are measured by their success.
Rybka have been bringing buildings to life since the 1930s by creating mechanical and electrical engineering design solutions for a wide range of sectors across the built environment. In recent years, we’ve driven sustainability to the core of all of our projects and have built up a strong track record in delivering environmentally friendly and cost-effective engineering solutions.