BP Tourfest summer roadshows targets new communities and visits old

Thursday 27 June 2002

The sportscotland/Camanachd Association BP summer shinty roadshows will hit off next week in the Central belt visiting Callander, Glasgow, and Aberdour at the start of a tour that will bring shinty to communities throughout Scotland.

The BP roadshows are designed to enthuse young players about the game of shinty and will include video presentations, displays of the games top trophies, and coaching from some of the best players and coaches in the game.

The BP roadshows will take in a mix of venues from areas where the tradition of shinty is strong to places where the sport is relatively new but flourishing.
Roadshow organiser, Garry Reid, explains "The BP roadshows are aimed at enthusing and educating young people about the game of shinty. This year we will visit area's that have a strong tradition of the game to support the good work being carried out in these areas. We will also be visiting area's new to the game to show children the opportunities the game of shinty provides, as well as having fun, exciting and the most up to date coaching by top coaches and players."

Ken Richardson, BP Government and Public Affairs Manager, said, "This is one of several shinty events that BP support during the 2001/2002 through the national BP Tourfest programme of over 40 sporting events. The programme is delvered by sportscotland, in partnership with Scottish Governing Bodies of Sport, and aims to promote sporting opportunities for young people, ranging from schools festivals through to International tournaments. On this occasion, BP is delighted to be supporting the Camanachd Association for the BP Summer Shinty Roadshows."

The Coaches this year will include Kingussie's Ronald Ross, undoubtedly shinty's top player and hero of this year's Camanachd Cup final where his three goals earned him the man of the match title for the second time in his career.

Scottish Under 21 Internationalists David Glass and Scott Rodger will also be on hand to demonstrate and teach the skills of the game.

• The BP summer roadshows are open to 8-14 year olds and will visit 15 venues throughout Scotland in the following places and times:

25th June Callander - MacLaren Sports Centre 6.30pm - 9.00pm
26th June Glasgow- Hughenden 6:30pm - 9:00pm
27th June Aberdour - Hawkcraig FC 6.30pm - 9.00pm
1st July Inverness-Bught Park 6:30pm - 9:00pm
3rd July Farr Community Centre 6.30pm - 9:00pm
4th July Fort Augustus - Kilchuimen Primary 12:00pm - 2:30pm
5th July Ballachulish, Jubilee Park 10:00am - 12:00pm
5th July Oban - Mossfield park 2.00pm - 4:00pm
8th July Dunoon - Dunoon Stadium 10.00am - 12.00pm
8th July Tighnabruaich 2.00pm - 4.00pm
9th July Inveraray - Winterton Park 10.00am - 12.00pm
9th July Ardrishaig - Ardrishaig Park 2.00pm - 4.00pm
10th July Mallaig - Mallaig Leisure Centre 11:00am - 1.30pm
11th July Kiltarlity - Balgate Park 11.00am - 1.30pm
12th July Ullapool - Ullapool High School 11:00am - 1:30pm

• The registration forms for the camps are available from local schools, shinty clubs and shinty development officers
• The summer roadshows will be sponsored by BP who also sponsor the Camanachd Association First Shinty Festivals, and their National Player Development Camp, ensuring that their support for shinty goes from grass roots introductory level right the way through to performance level camps.
  sportscotland is the national agency for the development of sport in Scotland; www.sportscotland.org.uk
  BP has invested more than £50,000 in the BP Tourfest programme for 2001/2002
• BP Tourfest is a year-long programme of more than 40 sporting events, targeted at young people with a range of abilities. The programme is delivered by sportscotland, in partnership with Scottish local authorities and governing bodies of sport.