Portree High School, School Of Shinty | |
30 May 2023 Portree High School and the Camanachd Association have announced that Portree High School is to be the latest School of Shinty. The initiative follows on from other success stories across the country and focuses around connecting more young people with shinty throughout the academic year. The School of Shinty is a joint initiative between Portree High School and the Camanachd Association, with support from the local shinty clubs Skye Camanachd and South Skye Junior shinty club. The new School of Shinty will encompass a comprehensive approach, incorporating shinty into various aspects of school life. Students will benefit from specialised training sessions, both during physical education classes and extracurricular activities. Qualified coaches, including local shinty players and experienced instructors, will guide students in refining their skills and understanding of the game's intricacies. Moreover, Portree High School will further develop strong partnerships with local shinty clubs and the Camanachd Association to provide students with further opportunities for competitive play. Through these collaborations, students will have access to mentorship from seasoned athletes and a chance to compete in regional and national shinty tournaments. Announcing the inspired new initiative, Deputy Head Teacher Fiona MacNab said: “We are delighted to begin this partnership to promote and enhance shinty provision within the school and look forward to seeing the outcome of this new initiative and our young people enjoying their shinty.” Derek Keir, Chief Executive Officer of the Camanachd Association added: “It is a real pleasure to welcome Portree High School into the School of Shinty program. The delivery of shinty via the curriculum is an essential development for the progression of young players. Furthermore, we hope that the young people playing our sport for the first time during school will find a passion for it and are encouraged to go along to their local club, strengthening the support network for our member clubs.” Skye Camanachd under-17 and under-14 youth coach Allan MacLeod commended Portree High School's decision, stating: "The establishment of Portree High School as a School of Shinty is an exciting development for our community. This initiative provides a fantastic opportunity for young players to enhance their skills, deepen their understanding of the game, and foster a lifelong passion for shinty. “We at Skye Camanachd are thrilled to be a part of this partnership and look forward to supporting the growth of Shinty within the school." |