GENEROUS BOOST TO THE SPORTLOCHABER YOUTH SUPPORT FUND

On Sunday 29th August, almost 100 youngsters took part in the Fraser MacPhee Memorial Shinty
Tournament, in which Banavie beat the 2009 winners, Lochaber, in the final.
A total of £250 was raised for the Sportlochaber Youth Support Fund in the sale of burgers, which
were kindly donated by Wynne’s Butchers.  Thank you to Duncan and Rosie for their contribution.

P.S. A further £50 has been raised through donations following the sale of items on the
For Sale or Wanted page – thank you to all concerned!

MEETING BETWEEN SPORTLOCHABER AND LOCHABER SPORTS COUNCIL

On Monday 9th August, the Committees of Sportlochaber and the Lochaber Sports Council met to discuss the way forward to becoming a single representative body.  For the minutes of this meeting, please click here.
The Sportlochaber Board is holding a further meeting on Tuesday 17th August with Douglas Wilby (Senior Leisure and Learning Officer, Education, Culture and Sport) and Garry Reid (Sportscotland) to work on the detail of the proposal before putting it out to the Lochaber Sports Council and then our affiliated clubs for approval.

SPORTS KIT WANTED OR NOT

The website For Sale/Wanted has been so well used that it’s running out of “stock”! 
Why don’t you have a rifle through your family’s kit bags before the winter sets in and see what you might have grown out of/be short of and drop us a line….

FREE CHILD PROTECTION TRAINING COURSES

For details about Child Protection Training Courses taking place around the Highlands this Autumn, please click here

THE CLUBS QUESTIONNAIRE REPORT

…is now finished – thank you to all who spent the time completing it.  Let us know if any of you would like a copy posted out, or click here to view online.
Our next task is to seek to join together with local and national bodies to address the facilities/training and maintenance issues which have been very clearly highlighted in the Report.

AFFILIATED MEMBERS 2010

We are pleased to say that Sportlochaber now has 27 Affiliated Member Clubs –  if your club is missing out, it’s never too late - just drop us an email.

For the current list of Member Clubs, click here

SIX MUNROS IN 24 HOURS…POSTPONED

Nobody can say we didn’t make every effort last weekend (17th July) to knock off the first three, but the elements were well and truly against us! We set off from Kinlochhourn on Friday afternoon for the trek into Barrisdale for our first night – we all knew it was going to be wet, but nothing had prepared us for the nine rivers that we had to cross, gushing and roaring across the path.  Very soon “follow the path!” became “follow the river!” as it became impossible to distinguish one from the other.  Oh, the joy of reaching Barrisdale where our kind hostess had lit the Rayburn and set coal in the fire – and Lisa immediately set to with heating up the delicious curry she had nursed all the way from Kinlochhourn.

The next morning we donned our still soggy clothes and boots, knowing the Munros were out there somewhere, but that all we could do was walk to Inverie at low level – it had rained incessantly overnight and was continuing to do so as we set off.  Still the view looking back towards Barrisdale and down the glen was breathtaking and all of us, despite our misery, swore that we would return as soon as possible to enjoy it on a clear day.
Arriving at Inverie, we stayed in the very comfortable Knoydart Foundation Bunkhouse and for the first time over the weekend didn’t want to get dry – this was after stepping into the luxury of their hot and powerful showers (why can’t the West Coast rain be like that?!)  Supper at The Old Forge, a sound night’s sleep then off to get the ferry to Mallaig.  We had booked Iain Wilson to take us back and during the journey he expressed a great interest in Sportlochaber and the Youth Support Fund (and we also learnt a lot about the impressive and inspiring Knoydart Foundation)…but what a lovely way to end the weekend when he refused to accept a penny for the trip, having been a player for Lochaber Camanachd for many years and a keen sportsman. Thank you to Iain for his heart-warming generosity and to Lisa, Johnny, Christine, Bruce and Mike for their cheerfulness in the face of soggy adversity – and their willingness to do it again!
(We are undertaking this Challenge to raise money for the Sportlochaber Youth Support Fund - for those of you who are kindly sponsoring us, hold onto your money for a bit longer – we’ll be tackling it again on the first weekend there’s enough blue sky to make a pair of sailor’s trews!)

LOCHABER’S SUMMER ACTIVITIES PROGRAMME

For Highland Council’s bumper programme of Summer activities for all the family, go to www.highlandeventsandfestivals.com or pick up a copy from your local Library, Council Service Point, Community Centre or Council Leisure Centre (to where you should also return your completed Booking Forms).  Some courses will fill up quickly, so early booking advised!  If your chosen activity has the High Life symbol in the Cost column, it is FREE to “all inclusive” High Life members and just 50p to Budget High Life members!
For further info, call:
•    Camaghael Hostel 01397 707350
•    Lochaber Leisure Centre  01397 704359
•    Kinlochleven Library 01855 831119
•    Mallaig Library 01687 460097
•    The Sunart Centre 01397 709226

LAURA DAVIES  - Lochaber Rugby Club rightly proud of her success!

Following on from the first round of the SRU's under-18 Girls' Regional Trials on 6 June, Lochaber Rugby Club are pleased to announce that local girl, Laura Davies, has been asked back to a second trial / training session on 13 June at Nairn Academy for the North West Region.      
Unfortunately due to the current lack of rugby-playing girls in Lochaber, Laura has to travel to Nairn to get games with The Northern Vixens, but the club is really pleased & proud of her - Well done Laura!
Come on girls! Why don’t you give it a go – training is mixed, taking place at the Lochaber Rugby Club, Banavie; all times as detailed in the Sportlochaber Clubs Directory. Great sport on the pitch and good craic in the clubhouse after.

HIGHLAND YOUNG HEAVIES

Are you looking for an outdoor alternative to the gym for all-round cross-sport training that improves your strength and co-ordination?
Why don’t you think about joining the Highland Young Heavies – get fit and keep an ancient Highland tradition alive. For little and big people, boys and girls.

REGATTA WEEK

Lochaber Yacht Club are holding a Regatta Week from Monday 14th June. There will be a BBQ every night, apart from Saturday when there will be a sit down 'do' , adults £7.50, juniors £5. There's a brand new race on Tuesday called the Golden Mile, involving runners and boats!...and on Thursday, don't miss the Whacky Races...for full programme, click here.

Sportlochaber Gala Day

The first Sportlochaber Gala Day, on Saturday 29th May 2010, was a resounding success…so much so, that the BA Park has been booked for the last weekend in May 2011! Put that in your Club Sports Calendar NOW! Two hundred competitors – twenty teams of ten – took part in a major inter-club It’s A Knockout Competition. They got soaking wet, covered in foam, wiggled their bottoms in hoops and wriggled their bodies through tunnels – and came out laughing!  The winners were the Lochaber Squash Club Team – who have declared that they will be defending their title next year…watch out, Squash lads and lassies, because several clubs have resolved to topple you from the your podium!  It was fantastic to see all ages and all sports competing against each other, with a great atmosphere in the Club afterwards. A big thank you to all the Clubs who took part for throwing themselves (literally!) into the day with such enthusiasm – all great sports!
It was a great honour to have our Patrons, Fergus and Ritchie opening proceedings – and an added bonus that it was Ritchie’s birthday!
Several clubs also took promotional stalls so that they could promote their own sport and give out information about their activities – from the Tennis Club with Swing Ball, to the Inverness Rowing Club with 2 racing skulls and the West Highland Wheelers with a “mountain bike” obstacle course.  Thank you to Bridget Thomas and Tracy Jeffries, Active School Co-ordinators and Alan Clark, Head of Partnership Management at Sportscotland, for making the effort to come along and support the event.
Sportlochaber also hired a Smoothie Bike for the day in order to test it out– a bike with a Blender attached via a flexible drive shaft, so that as you peddle you whizz up your very own Fresh Fruit Smoothie – and it worked!  We have taken photographs, notes and dimensions, and we are now in the process of making our very own bike, for which we have great plans (of which more on another day!)
The evening’s entertainment, The Nightfever Disco Roadshow, held in the Nevis Centre (with many thanks to John Maclennan and Willie Duncan) was great fun and enjoyed by all who attended…Ritchie’s dancing, notably, showed that being a world class athlete was the very least of his abilities!
The whole event was sponsored by Awards For All – it was free entry during the day and free entry for team members at night – and seemed to be totally successful in its aim of bringing clubs and community together.
There is no doubt that the day would not have happened without the generous support of the clubs, community and local businesses.  Thank you to all, especially Ann at the BA Club, John and Willie at The Nevis Centre, Giles Insurance, The Outward Bound Centre,  John Haggerty, John Watssman, HIS, Morrisons, Tescos, the Co-op and Williamson Food Services.
We have taken note of several helpful comments from participants and spectators, so that next year’s event will be BIGGER, BETTER and EVEN MORE FUN!
 

New Director

Sportlochaber are pleased to announce that we have a new Director – Christine Falconer, whose enthusiasm, energy and efficiency will be a huge asset on the Board.  She has already displayed her remarkable talents in the lead up to the Gala Day, so welcome to Christine!

COACHING SUCCESSES

Ten of Fort William's coaches successfully completed their Level 2 Coaching Youth Footballers Course on Sunday the 25th of April. This will soon be eleven when George Cairns completes his modules, having been unavailable due to his entry in the London Marathon (see below)

Calum MacLean, James Jeanette, Paul MacLellan, John Matheson, Michael MacEachen, Thomas Stephan, Tommy Taylor, Alan MacKinnon, George Cairns, Scott Duncan and James Kelly went through the first part of the 12 hour course in scorching heat on the 11th of April, then they were back at Claggan on Sunday past to complete their individual coaching modules under the watchful eye of Peter Budge, The SFA's Football development Officer for the Highlands.

These qualifications mean that Fort William Football Club has a great spread of coaches with a level 2 coach for every team: from the Primary 4 & 5 squad right through to first team level.

GEORGE CAIRNS AND THE LONDON MARATHON

Fort William Youth Development Under 13 coach, George Cairns, was competing in the 2010 London Marathon last Sunday. The long trip was worth while as he comfortably broke the magical 3 hour barrier, finishing in 2hrs 51mins 26 seconds. George finished in 512th spot in the event which had a total of over 36,000 runners and in his category of "veteran" he finished an incredible 103rd!
(There is no truth in the rumour that next year he will do the 26 mile course with a ball at his feet, because anyone who knows George's touch, realises this could mean him having to run over the 30 mile mark)...Well done George!

LEADER AWARD

Yet again, Board member Foss has pulled the rabbit out of the hat and through his hard work, Sportlochaber have been awarded a grant from LEADER to publish the Clubs’ Directory – and supply the portaloos for the Gala Day!! This is great news and we look forward to bringing out a really smart directory that will promote all our clubs throughout Lochaber (and to keeping our legs uncrossed at the Gala Day).  Remember the deadline for submitting club details and a photograph is the 30th April.

QUESTIONNAIRES PROGRESS REPORT

Sportscotland are expecting to have assimilated the information from all the Clubs’ Questionnaires by the middle of May – watch this space!

TUMBLE TOTS AND GYMNASTICS

If you have children between 1 and 18 years, why not take them along to Lochaber Gymnastics Club. Training takes place at the Nevis Centre and is split into different age groups and abilities. For further information, click here

TENNIS TRAINING

Following the recent formation of Lochaber Tennis Club, you may be interested in the UKCC Level 1 Tennis Course which takes place in Fortrose. Further Information is available here. Please click here for the Application Form

MARS FUNDING CAMPAIGN

Mars have launched their 2010 funding campaign for individuals and sports clubs. Twenty £500 awards will be made monthly.  The fund campaign closes on Monday 31st May 2010.

For more info and to apply, go to http://www.marsrefuel.com/refuel-fund/

YOUTH HIGHLAND ANNUAL SPORTS COMPETITIONS

Last Saturday, Charleston Academy and The Portland Complex played host to Young People from across Highland who came together to compete against each other in a variety of sports and games in the “Youth Highland Annual Sports Competitions”.  For the full story, click here

THE WEE TRIATHLON

On Sunday 14th March, a group of not-so-fit individuals (including two members from the
Sportlochaber Boards) joined Lochaber’s serious athletes for the Wee Triathlon organised by No Fuss Events.

We were raising funds for Mary’s Meals, a Dalmally based charity that has been organising food and education for the kids of Haiti for several years now.
Undaunted by the rippling lycra-clad muscles and slightly amused smiles of encouragement from our fellow competitors, we are proud to announce that we completed the course in what you might call record time.

AWARDS FOR ALL GRANT

Sportlochaber has been awarded a grant of £3660 by Awards For All in support of the Sportlochaber Gala Day.
This is in recognition of the day’s aim to promote sport and bring clubs and community together. Well done to our Board member, Foss, for securing this for us!

RADIO SCOTLAND INTERVIEW

On Saturday morning’s sports programme (6th March 2010), there was a discussion with Shona Robison
(the Scottish Minister for Sport) and Henrik Brandt (the director of the Danish Institute of Sport). The programme was exploring what we (Scotland) could learn from them (Denmark) for the Active Nation programme as part of the lead up to the Commonwealth Games. Much of it was worthy of note and reflected well the aims of Sportlochaber –
It seems we could learn a lot from the Danes! 

A brief resume follows:

89% of all Danish children are members of clubs
41% of all Danish adults are members of clubs
61% of all Danish adults practice sport on their own

•    HB said that in Denmark, all the stakeholders had got together in one campaign (Gordon Crawford, Active Stirling, recently suggested that all the umbrella sports groups in Scotland might get together in a similar way).  They looked at everyone’s different “life phases”  -    child, teenager, young working adult, working parent, retired person etc. and analysed what was required to motivate each group into physical activity.  Recognised, for instance, that teenage girls are not (for the most part) interested in competitive sport, but keen on e.g. dance and the gym.
 
•    In Denmark, by law, schools have to give FREE access to the sports clubs.

•    SR emphasised the way forward for Scotland was the Community Sports Hub, getting rid of clubs competing for the same resources and using existing resources strategically.  She said that the current ruling that communities should be allowed access to school facilities was open to interpretation and the whims of the janitor  - and said that they were looking to making the facilities “probably not free, but affordable”

•    HB said that more planning needs to go into school facilities which are being used by the community – i.e. social areas (cafes/crèches etc).  Facilities must not just focus on competitive sport; they must be able to adapt to community gym/dance etc..  Competitive sport is not growing in Denmark.

•    SR said there should be a balance between winning medals and getting fit for health. World class athletes provide the inspirational element, but the fun and taking part is the important bit (that’s the main message of the Active Nation message, available online)

•    SR recognised that Denmark was so successful because there was a strong voluntary element – i.e. parents are expected to contribute to clubs, not use them as crèches; this would require a cultural change in Scotland.

•    HB said we should be aware of the “life phases” where numbers drop off – teenage (see above), 30-49 age group (can be encouraged to do sport in the same facility as their kids when they take them) and older people, who maybe can’t kick a ball around, but could bowl etc. He said that the social aspect was very important and to have good motivators in the clubs was important.

MEETING WITH SPORTSCOTLAND

On the 24th February, the Sportlochaber Board met with Garry Reid (Partnership Manager) and
Alan Clark (Regional Sporting Partnership Development Manager) of Sportscotland.
We all felt that it was a very positive meeting and Sportlochaber are now looking forward to
building strong working relationships with Sportscotland, The Highland Council and our Councillors.  
This meeting came at a point when Sportlochaber had nearly completed the enormous challenge of getting
Lochaber’s sports clubs to complete detailed questionnaires and become affiliated members.  Sportlochaber
now feels it is in a position to fulfil the very important role of communicating the needs of our clubs and sporting
community to bodies such as Sportscotland, who have stated that they will work with us to help address them.

We agreed a set of short term objectives as follows:

• To complete the affiliation of clubs and collation of questionnaires.  To publish tables showing the statistical information and a report analysing and summarising the subjective information.

• To assess what is required to refurbish club pitches, so that they are playable – Sportlochaber feels this is literally crucial to the clubs’ survival and to the continuation of these sports in Lochaber.

• To address pitch maintenance and the possibility of the Council, clubs and schools joining forces to train or source trained groundsmen, source equipment and manage/timetable/fund a maintenance programme.

• To address the issue of access into school-as-community facilities, along with equipment storage, costs (to clubs and to the school) and management (bookings/cleaning/janitors etc.), so that we know what role these facilities will realistically play in addressing the needs of clubs and the wider community.

• To work with Active Schools Co-ordinators to strengthen the relationships between schools and clubs and promote the continuation of sport into adulthood.  Sportscotland will arrange a meeting between Sportlochaber and Kevin Thompson, the Highland director of ASC’s in order to move this forward.

• To support youngsters who want to pursue a certain sport as part of a Higher or Advanced Higher course, where the coaching is not available within the school. 

LACHLAN’S PROGRESS

Earlier this year, Lachlan Veitch received support from the Sportlochaber Youth Support Fund, as he had gained a place in the British Ski Academy (for details go to Lochaber’s Sporting Youth).  So far this year, he has competed in the Anglo-Scottish Cup in Les Houches, the Welsh Championships in Champery and the East Of Scotland Championships in Glenshee.  In the latter, he gained two 1st places in the Giant Slalom and a 2nd and 5th in the Slalom –
well done Lachlan! 

There will be several more races in the run up to the Scottish and British Championships in Merbel and Courchevel in April, at which we wish him great success.

LOCHABER ARTISTIC ROLLER SKATING CLUB

On Sunday 28th February, a member of the Sportlochaber Board was invited to a display put on by members of the Lochaber Artistic Roller Skating Club.  This is one of Lochaber’s hidden treasures!  Meeting every Sunday between 12 and 5 in the Nevis Centre, skaters of all ages practice moves, routines and dances, the older members having achieved many successes at National Level.  For those of you who haven’t seen this sport before, it is like ice-skating on wheels – pretty specialised wheels at that – and it is almost as exhilarating
to watch as it must be to take part.  The club has been going for over 20 years and currently has over 100 members, including an extremely talented family who come from Alness every week, joining up with their daughter who comes up from Glasgow! 

The club was started by Mrs. Frieda Alexander, who keeps a good-natured, but strict eye on proceedings, the result being a highly disciplined and accomplished group of skaters.  Two of the current coaches grew up in the club, and have now returned to teach, which is a true testament to the strength of the group.  There is no doubt that this is an excellent way to spend a Sunday afternoon and Sportlochaber is considering ways to encourage more teenage girls into the sport.  Meanwhile, put the Lochaber  Artistic Roller Skating Club in your diary for 20th November 2010in the Nevis Centre – a show not to be missed!

GLENGARRY WOMEN’S SHINTY CLUB

If you want to be inspired by a club’s success story, read all about the girls from Glengarry!  They had a fantastic 2009 Season and are looking forward to defending their impressive collection of silverware in 2010. 
Their story is available to download .

SPORTSCOTLAND TOUTS FOT TALENT

Sportscotland’s INSTITUTE OF SPORT is looking for committed and motivated individuals with any sporting background. Successful applicants can expect to be fast-tracked into elite programmes, working with top Scottish coaches and Sportscotland Institute of Sport staff.
If you think you have what it takes to achieve success in the world-class stage or know someone who fits the profile go to www.gold4glasgow.com There is no closing date for applications.

TOUR OF NEW SPORTS FACILITIES AT LOCHABER HIGH SCHOOL

On the 26th January 2010, members of the Sportlochaber Board were taken on a guided tour ofth e new facilities under construction at Lochaber High School by depute head, Mrs. Isobel MacKenzie. We were extremely impressed by the scale of the project and how well the building makes the most of its fantastic surroundings. There is no doubt that it will be a truly great facility for the Lochaber High School pupils and SL hopes that positive steps will be taken to ensure that it will be available for community/club use outside school hours, at weekends and during school holidays. We also looked at the two new grass pitches and discussed concerns over their future maintenance. Many thanks to Mrs. MacKenzie for her enthusiasm and patience in answering all our questions!
 
We wish Lochaber High School the best of success in the future of this exciting project.

COMMONWEALTH GAMES LEGACY

Following recent correspondence about the Sportlochaber project between our
Sports Minister, Mrs. Shona Robison, Fergus Ewing MSP and Charles Kennedy MP,
it has been strongly indicated that Sportlochaber is “in line” for a portion of the
Commonwealth Games legacy, the first tranche of which will become available in April this year. This is our most exciting and important development to date and means that it is more important than ever that the Questionnaires and Affiliation forms are returned to us as soon as possible. Only then can we assess needs and work together towards a collective sense of purpose and direction.
 
Your club representative will soon be contacted by a member of the Sportlochaber Board to discuss how you may wish to proceed and whether there will be a possibility in the near future for us to attend a Committee meeting.

SITING OF THE 3G

In view of the extreme pressure on the Council to agree a site, they have decided that there is no time to consult with the clubs or community and that to do so would jeopardise the available funds.  They have therefore thanked us for our offer to carry out a consultation with pitch users, but stated that they will have to come to a swift decision themselves.  The Board expressed its sadness that it will not be given a chance to influence the decision, as SL feels that it is an important one, both in the short term of maximising its availability (school/clubs/community) and in the longer term of acting as a cornerstone for future development.  Lochaber High School today confirmed “The school’s stance on this is that it would be preferable if the park (sic, as in 3G) was situated within walking distance.  This would ensure it could be used as part of the school curriculum and would be able to be managed from here.”

VISIT TO THE MEADOWS SPORTS COMPLEX

On Friday December 4th, three members of the Sportlochaber Board set off at 6 a.m. (there’s dedication for you!) to drive to Ellon, near Aberdeen, for a visit to the Meadows Sports Complex. We were warmly greeted by the Centre managers, Michelle Rothney and Shona Galbraith, who immediately took us on a tour of their outdoor facilities,comprising an Astroturf pitch, an all-weather “quarter” running track, two grass football pitches (one up to SFA standard) and two grass rugby pitches.  These are maintained by a dedicated groundsman, who undertakes other indoor/outdoormaintenance jobs as required.Inside, the complex boasts a 42m. x 21m. games hall (for basketball, volleyball, netball, badminton, tennis, football,hockey, trampolining, gymnastics, martial arts, fitness classes, community events), a fitness suite (cardio-vascularand resistance), a weights room, a therapy room, 2 squash courts and associated changing/shower areas for both indoor and outdoor users.  There is also a bar and pitch viewing area which is run by the Rugby Club.The project started in 1988 with the building of the Astroturf pitch, followed by the grass pitches and running track.Indoor changing facilities and a social area were built in 1992 and the present complex was completed in 1998, with the addition of the squash courts in 2002.  Each addition was as a response to demand within the community.  The pitches and hall are used by the schools for their PE curriculum; there are day activities for mothers and toddlers and the over 60’s and there are after-school activities for all ages.  The centre is open 9am.- 10pm Mon.-Fri., 9am.-6pm Sat. and 9am.-9pm. Sun and full to bursting throughout the week with organised clubs/activities.The Ellon and District Sports Development Trust was a community led initiative, driven forward by the clubs; they have
developed a closer working relationship with the Council (which subsidises the Centre) over the past few years.  The management and staff are completely dedicated to making the centre work, and their evident pride in what they have achieved is more than justified.
Thank you to Michelle and Shona for being so patient and willing to answer our endless stream of questions!  We could have stayed all day, but had to move on swiftly to our next stop (20 minutes’ drive away)….

VISIT TO GARIOCH SPORTS CENTRE, INVERURIE

The Garioch Sports Trust was formed in 1990 by 4 locals who wanted to develop sport in the Inverurie area. 
The first facilities, completed in 1994, were the “quarter” running track and Astroturf pitch.
These were funded by the Council, Lottery and local fund-raising. The indoor facility plans were then developed
and the present Sports Centre completed in 1996.
The Trust is neither a private concern nor a Council-run facility – it is run for the community by a body of elected persons who have a general interest in providing these facilities. None of the committee is remunerated for their efforts.The facilities themselves are very impressive – on a larger scale than Ellon - with the indoor hall in the centre and enclosed by the other areas – gyms, weights, dance studios, squash courts, conference room, nursery and crèche areas, a café area, changing/shower and storage areas.  In addition to the activities offered by Ellon, Garioch also offers archery and table tennis. In feel, the biggest difference between the two centres lies in the fact that Ellon has evolved according to the needs of the local football, hockey and rugby clubs, whereas Garioch has developed as a more general community based sports and fitness centre. They lay much emphasis on developing sport and fitness amongst children, hosting Out of School clubs and children’s sports sessions, with Activity Camps throughout the school holidays.  They have their own bus to collect children from the schools. We were shown round by John Chapman, present Chairman of the Garioch Trust, William Lippe, the original Chairman and Stuart Gordon the Centre Manager.  Yet again, we feel indebted to these generous people for giving so much of their time and being prepared to pass on their experience and knowledge. We wish them much success with their exciting new Inverurie Sports Development Project, which we shall be following with great interest (www.isdp.org.uk)

MEETING WITH MR. DOUGLAS WILBY

On Tuesday 1st December four members of the Sportlochaber Board met with Mr. Douglas Wilby, Head of Learning and Leisure. Mr. Wilby had requested a meeting in order to ascertain how Sportlochaber might be of help to the Council in consulting with Lochaber’s pitch users as to where the proposed 3G might be sited.  The meeting followed the Camanachd Association’s very timely official announcement on Monday that Shinty could be played on a 3G surface.  For training purposes, a single 3G would be suitable for Rugby, Football and Shinty – sadly not Hockey.  In order for it to be suitable for all three sports, thereby maximising its potential for training purposes, there will be some compromise for each in its performance – but this is reckoned to be small, set against the benefit it would give to such a large number of clubs.
Mr. Wilby confirmed that Sportlochaber’s vision that the siting of the 3G should, if possible, be where it might at a later stage be covered and developed is entirely logical and in line with what the Highland Council would wish. 
Sportlochaber, with the support of Sportscotland, has already developed an in-depth Clubs Questionnaire which we plan to take to the clubs over the next six months.  However, with the sudden urgency of needing to reach agreement on a site for the 3G, it was decided that we should accelerate this process and prioritise the clubs who would potentially benefit from
a community all-weather pitch.

LETTER FROM OUR MINISTER FOR SPORT

Sportlochaber was delighted to learn that we are being noted in faraway places!  Thanks to the
work put in by Charles Kennedy MP and our Patron Fergus Ewing MSP on our behalf, we received
a very encouraging letter from Shona Robison, our Minister For Sport, who has stated that she
will be discussing the ambitions of Sportlochaber at a meeting in the near future. 

To view a copy of the letter, please click here.

AFFILIATION OF CLUBS

In order to truly represent Lochaber’s sports clubs, Sportlochaber will be inviting them to become affiliated members.
This is the clubs’ opportunity to join together with a collective voice in order to shape Lochaber’s sporting future.
We have a lot of talent within our community, and together we can support our sports men, women and youngsters to maximise their potential, whilst encouraging all to lead healthy lives. By becoming affiliated members, Lochaber’s sports clubs will become the driving force behind Sportlochaber, so that we can work towards our facilities, training and coaching goals together.
We will soon have a Forum on this website, so that affiliated members can share sports news and views and seek advice or help from other clubs. 

SPORTLOCHABER SCHOOLS COMPETITION

We had an overwhelming response to our recent competition and it was a very difficult job choosing the winners as all the children who entered had made such a huge effort.

In the Primary School Section, the winner is Rowan MacGillivary, P.5, Acharacle Primary School (we especially love his multi-colour ducks), second comes Eilidh Ross, Gaelic P.5, Acharacle Primary School (just look at all that lovely equipment…) and third is Hayley MacCallum, P.7, St. Brides Primary School (the girl with the ball is so utterly determined to win!). Click here to see the winning pictures.

In the Secondary School section, first prize goes to Chloe MacDonald Cameron, Class 2N, Lochaber High School for her inspiring essay “What Determination Can Do”

We wish we could put on all the pictures, but you can see some of the runners up by clicking here.  We are holding on to them so that we can put them on display at the next Sportlochaber event.
Thank you to all the parents and teachers who took the time to support the children with their entries.

OUR NEW BANNER

Sportlochaber are extremely grateful to Jamie Ball of Allround Signs and to Cnag for their funding of our beautiful banner.  It has already been very well used – thank you!

CELEBRATING LOCHABER'S YOUTH

Check out our new Celebrating Lochaber’s Sporting Youth page where you will be able to follow the some of the stories of our successful Youth Support Fund applicants.
 

SPORTLOCHABER GALA DAY  

It’s official!  May 29th 2010 will be the first Sportlochaber Gala Day!  We are already plotting to make this a fun, friendly and fiercely competitive day of inter-club games and rivalry…in the interests of keeping the day suitable for all ages, we will stop short of drawing blood, but it could be messy…We are setting up a Gala Day Team dedicated to making this a wild success – if you are interested in joining them, or have any great ideas, please get in touch. Let’s pray for the 16th year in a row where it hasn’t rained on this particular weekend – but if we’re unlucky, John MacLennan has already generously offered the Nevis Centre as a wet-weather venue – thanks, John!

RACE NIGHT

On Saturday 14th November, Lochaber Squash Club and Friends organised a Race Night in Lochaber Rugby Club to raise funds for the Sportlochaber Youth Support Fund.  It was a very entertaining night, which went on until the wee small hours and everyone agreed it was a huge success!  The proceeds are still to be finalised as we post this, but at last count it was over £1800! – and, incredibly, no-one seemed to mind going home a lot poorer than when they came!  About 80 of us were entertained by the up and coming Russian Ninjas – a great young group that we would recommend to anyone looking for music - and the Rugby Club boys behind the bar worked really hard to keep the night’s wheels well oiled.  Well done, Neil Worsdall for getting such a brilliant night together – ably supported by Bruce Love, who amassed an impressive array of raffle prizes, Khali and Ra Douglas who made a great pot of soup and Isobel Worsdall  who must have been making sandwiches all week!  The races were under starter’s orders from Scott MacNeil and the bets were run by Marie McMillan supported by Katie Worsdall and friends.

Sportlochaber would like to thank ROK Group, AA Young Ltd., William Wilsons, John Disher Carpets, The Building Restoration Company and Lochaber Building Supplies for taking the corporate tables.
We would also like to thank Howdens Joinery Products and The Building Restoration Company for their very generous sponsorship of the Youth Support Fund: it’s really great to see local businesses being so enthusiastic about supporting our youngsters, especially in these harder times.

A really big thank you to everyone! 

VISIT TO THE HIGHLAND FOOTBALL ACADEMY 

On Thursday 12th November, three representatives from the Sportlochaber Board were given a tour of the Highland Football Academy’s indoor facilities by Mr. Roderick Houston.  They would certainly go a long way towards addressing our soggy-bogs-for-pitches problem…namely a 3G pitch housed in a huge barn of a hangar with a spectators’ gallery and adjoining physiotherapy suite and fitness gym.  The project was funded by the football clubs, the Council (who were the initiators) and Sportscotland.  In order to sustain the building, which is run on a no-frills, minimum of overheads basis, offices are rented out to the council – it is not subsidised at all, although they are having to repay the initial building costs over a number of years.  This is the first facility we have visited which came about as a result of the Council having a large amount of funding, the end use of which they themselves determined - as opposed to being sought by a community-led group as the answer to that community’s needs.  Two things we noted on the facilities front: firstly, Mr. Houston said that if he were to do it again, he would opt for renewable energy, namely a wood-chip boiler, and secondly he emphasised that the notion of a multi-use 3G sports pitch was not feasible, as games such as shinty or hockey – unless played with training sticks and balls – ruin the surface of the pitch.
We are very grateful to Mr. Houston for taking the time to show us round and tell us about the Academy’s history…next stops, Ellon and Inverurie. 

VISIT TO THE PEAK LEISURE CENTRE IN STIRLING

On Friday 9th October two representatives from the Sportlochaber Board met Gordon Crawford of Active Stirling at The Peak, their brand new multi-use sports centre.  As we parked the car and looked up at the huge windows, we could see lines of amazingly energetic people on treadmills and exercise bikes – and this was in the middle of a Friday afternoon…then as we waited in the café, we watched as a group of older ladies sat down with their well-deserved cups of tea, discussing their afternoon’s curling session.
The Peak is the culmination of seven years’ hard work and vision, which started off with bringing Stirling’s sports clubs together. Active Stirling now has 100 affiliated clubs with 13,000 members, ranging from the well known Stirling County Rugby Club and Stirling Albion FC to school clubs, judo clubs and triathlon clubs. They cover a huge range of sports that is continually expanding. The affiliated clubs pay a small annual fee and elect a representative who attends quarterly meetings; these are divided into geographical (NOT sports) “clusters”, because of the number of clubs involved.  Club issues can then be discussed and a commonality of aims and how to address needs developed.
They are effectively a private organisation taking on the role of Stirling Council’s Sports and Leisure Dept. They are paid by the council to run the sports facilities as well as providing club and sport development; they receive £400k per year from the Council to run the eight active schools co-ordinators.
They deal with all disclosures for their affiliated members.
Clubs booking a games hall at any of the Stirling schools book it through - and pay - Active Stirling. All primary and secondary schools are part of the scheme.
This is a very ambitious project indeed, with many more ideas in the pipeline – all in all, a pretty awe-inspiring and thought-provoking visit, and well timed before our forthcoming meeting with Sportscotland.
Sincere thanks to Gordon for sharing some of his very precious time with us, and for giving us much valuable advice on how to approach our own project.

MEETING WITH SPORTSCOTLAND

On Monday 12th October, three representatives from Sportscotland, together with John O’Kane met with four members of the Sportlochaber Board; these were Garry Reid (Partnership Manager), Ryan McAlindin (Planner) and Graham Finnie (Facilities Project Manager).
It was a very positive meeting and Sportscotland have pledged full support for what Sportlochaber is trying to achieve.  They have advised that we work towards an Options Appraisal, by which we go to each club with a detailed questionnaire to find out about their membership/facilities/training/coaching/needs etc.. This will be done in partnership with the Council and with practical advice and support from Sportscotland.
We talked about the terrible state of Lochaber’s pitches, how they were geographically scattered and were no more than “fields” that had become playing fields, not sports pitches.  Sportlochaber  emphasised that it will be our priority to make sure that the drainage issues dogging the pitches should be sorted out before the maintenance issues are addressed.
Garry Reid pledged Sportscotland’s practical and financial  help with developing training/coaching for the clubs.  We all agreed that clubs needed to be supported with their work in going into the schools, then drawing the kids into the clubs.  Sportlochaber reported that a number of Lochaber’s clubs are already doing this with great success.
John O’Kane reported that there would be no issue over the new facilities at Lochaber High School being available for community use and he is working with Sportscotland and the Council to develop the management of this.
Sportscotland are coming back to us within “a few weeks” to start developing the “Options Appraisal”, and the coaching/training ideas.
Sportlochaber are very grateful to Garry, Ryan and Graham for taking such a positive interest in our project and we very much look forward to working together in the future.

GALLOP AND GRIND
What a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon,along with a few hundred other folk! Under a dry and sometimes even a patch of  blue sky, men, women and children of all abilities tackled Cow Hill, the fitter amongst us jogging, walking and puffing in varying degrees (the fittest running) for the 3.5 mile stretch to the Braveheart Car Park where we then hopped - or struggled - onto our bikes for a 10 mile ride through the forestry and back to the Leisure Centre. For those who just wanted to be a part of the event and raise money for a worthy cause, many amongst them friends of the Fraser family, the walk in itself would have been a healthy leg-stretcher, with a good opportunity to enjoy some spectacular views and a good chat along the way. There's no doubt that many thousands of pounds will again have been raised for "Cancer Care In The Highlands" and there's surely no better way to do it than encouraging people to get fit and healthy with events like this.  If you couldn't take part this year, keep an eye out for next year, it's well worth the effort on every level! www.nofussevents.co.uk

STREET LEAGUE AWARDS
On Friday 11th September, the Street League Awards Ceremony took place at a packed Caol Community Centre.  The achievements of the kids and the selfless dedication of the volunteers who turn up at Canal Parks week after week - regardless of the weather - were an inspiration to the representatives of Sportlochaber who attended.  A lot of the kids are at an age where they are facing difficult choices about which road they are going to go down - and for some of them, being involved in a community enterprise such as this might just be the deciding factor in helping them make the right one.  As Mrs. Rosemary MacPhee, the Chairman, said in her speech, statistics show that where Street Leagues are up and running, youth crime rates have fallen significantly and these youngsters' confidence, sense of community and positive direction will hopefully carry on into adulthood.

Rosemary finished by saying that the one thing they really need to give the Street League a boost is new facilities - no pressure, Sportlochaber! 

MEETING WITH FERGUS EWING MSP
On the same day, Friday 11th September, two representatives from the Sportlochaber Board were invited to meet with our Patron, Fergus Ewing MSP.  This followed the completion of our Business Plan and the publishing of the Questionnaire results.  We had a very productive discussion and Fergus has kindly written on our behalf  to our Minister for Health and Sport, Mrs. Shona Robison, to make her aware of the Sportlochaber vision. It is important that we make ourselves known at the highest levels - even at these early stages - so that when the time comes to divvy up the £23.5m Commonwealth Games legacy we don't miss out!

FOOTBALL HOSPITALITY DAY
On Saturday 29th August a representative from Sportlochaber attended the Fort William Football Club Hospitality Day.  We heard a talk from the Youth Development team on the club’s aspirations for their youngsters – not just to teach them football skills, but to develop their confidence, team awareness and discipline – which is what Sportlochaber believes all sport can achieve for our youngsters.  We then watched the afternoon match in what must be one of the most spectacular settings for a football club; the rain stayed away and there were quite a few tourists…and Fort William only just lost out in the last ten minutes to a goal from Brora…Thank you to FW Football Club for inviting us and letting us see first hand some of the challenges currently being faced by Lochaber’s clubs.

FOR SALE / WANTED
Sportlochaber has a new For Sale/Wanted page.  If you have second hand sports kit you want to sell or buy, click here.

  

Me Running a Race by Mark MacLeod, Support for Learning, Lochaber High School

Me Doing Gymnastics by Kayleigh-Anne Woods, P.7, Acharacle Primary School

Me on My Bicycle by Amber MacDonald, Gaelic P.5, Fort William RC Primary

Playing Football with Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller by Lisa MacIsaac, Support For Learning, Lochaber High School

Me on my Bicycle by Frederick Ewers, P.6, Acharacle Primary School

Me Doing A Roly Poly by Cameron MacDonald, P.2, Duror Primary School