YOUNGSTERS at Merkinch Primary School are to get the opportunity to take part in the unique Highland sport of shinty.
A new six-month pilot programme to start after the school holidays will introduce a number of Inverness schools to the ancient game – and hopefully, in time, improve local teams' league positions.
Local shinty player David Glass (23), a one-time Under-21 internationalist who stars in the Inverness First team, has been employed as full-time youth development officer.
George Campbell of Inverness Shinty Club told News & Views, “We hope that if the pilot programme is successful it will become a three-year project. We are hoping local sponsors will help us with this.
Initially the schools involved will be playing “plastic shinty” indoors. This involves playing with camans (shinty sticks) which are less dangerous and it gives the learner a taste of the game.
By the summer term it is hoped that youngsters with an interest in the game will be able to play outdoors.
“We are the first club to take such a significant step to promote the game. We've grasped the nettle and put our money where our mouth is by creating this post, and we know the school and the parents are right behind us.”
MERKINCH athlete Alexina MacArthur, along with Mhairi Spence and Jenny Bannerman took the Girls' Championship for Inverness Harriers at the Scottish Northern District Cross-Country Championships in Inverness on October 14th.
It was the fourth time the Harriers had won the event, and they also secured the Women's and the Senior Men's titles.
MERKINCH United Under-14s, coached by Vic Leslie, have come out tops in the Inverness Street League's 2nd Division.
Well done, lads!