A DELAY in issuing papers for shinty's annual conference in Fort
William this weekend is likely to result in several clubs not attending
the two-day meeting.
A number of clubs view the discussions on proposals for a national
league, youth policy, and referee recruitment as no more than a talking
shop, and they are also annoyed that the papers concerning the proposed
changes were being received only today.
The conference begins tomorrow night with the draw for the first round
proper of the Glenmorangie Camanachd Cup, always an indication that the
serious business of the season is about to descend on clubs.
Duncan Cameron, shinty's development convener, will then take the
leading role as he attempts to win support for a national league
structure.
He will, in fact, be presenting four options -- one national league of
eight teams (the current four top clubs in the north and the south);
three national leagues of eight teams; one national league of eight
teams on an invitation-only basis, and the status quo.
The last is not really an option at all as clubs are already committed
to the introduction of a one-year pilot national league before 1995.
That was agreed at the 1992 agm, but the first attempt to introduce
the agreed plan, a 10-team league, foundered last year when it failed to
attract the necessary two-thirds majority.
The conference cannot make any binding decisions, but the intention is
to thrash out the proposals on offer with the favoured plan being
presented at May's agm for final approval.
If clubs fail to attend this weekend, however, it would appear that
the prospect of a national league, seen by many as crucial to the future
development of the game, could be in jeopardy.
The first part of Saturday morning will be devoted to a debate on
youth policy.
After lunch, the afternoon session will concentrate on discussing ways
in which the difficulty in recruiting referees can be overcome.
Several clubs are certain to miss the deliberations, or at best to
send minimal representation.
Kingussie plan to play Oban Celtic in a friendly and Fort William will
be in action against near neighbours Lochaber.
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