SENIOR members of Merkinch Youth Club have arrived at the Community Centre on recent Monday and Wednesday evenings to find the doors closed against them. The closure for all ages was first announced at the beginning of March, the reason given being staff shortages.

However, though the primary school youngsters were allowed back, the senior section were not – and the Community Education department cannot be precise about when the club will once again be open to all its members.

The problem could not have come at a worse time, as the club is busiest at this time of year, largely because of the Youth Club Association sports competitions. Merkinch have enjoyed great success at these at local level in recent years, and had hopes of sending their biggest ever contingent through to the Highland and eventually Scottish finals.

But the closure has badly affected the club’s performance in the Highland finals, which were held at Inverness Sports Centre on 24th March.

A number of youngsters felt there was no point competing for a club that did not exist and did not turn up. Of those that did, two individuals gained silver medals and two teams – in pool and football – won, though they will not be able to train before going to the Scottish finals in Perth in June.  

INVERNESS’S newest football team, Merkinch United, kicked off last month with a couple of matches, losing one and winning one. After losing 4-0 to the Clach Social Club in their first match, Alistair Stewart who helps Peter Corbett train the lads, told News & Views, “They have a lot of talent and they lack nothing in skill and commitment. All they need is to improve their teamwork.”

In their second match, against Tile Express on Saturday 24th March, they (g)routed their opponents 2-0. Scorers were David Wason and William Wilson.

Congratulations, lads!

Pictured left are team coaches Peter Corbett (left) and Alistair Stewart (right) with some of the lads who regularly turn up for training at Merkinch Community Centre on Thursday nights.