Go To TopHome Access Site Map Search Legals Comments Accessibility
Putting sport first

You are in: 

BP National first shinty festival

Tuesday 9 March 2004

The seventh annual BP National First Shinty Festival will take place at the Nevis Centre, Fort William at 12 noon on Saturday 13 March, with 16 primary aged teams from across Scotland competing for the title of national champions.

These top 16 teams, have all won through from their area competitions that have taken place across the country from Sutherland in the North to Glasgow and Edinburgh in the South.
The First Shinty Festival is part of the BP Tourfest Programme which is sponsored by BP, who this year contributed £25,000 of support. The Programme is organised by sportscotland in partnership with local authorities and 12 national governing bodies of sport including disability sport. By reaching communities throughout Scotland it aims to tackle the issue of social inclusion, while promoting the benefits sport can bring in terms of health and education.

Garry Reid, sportscotland Youth Development Manager and festival organiser, points out the growth that the BP Festival has seen over the years: "In 1997, a total of 22 teams competed in the inaugural tournament, now in 2004, we have seen 170 teams compete at 16 area festivals for the chance to reach the National Festival.

“ The sport continues to grow and attract new teams, and it is always heartening and healthy for the sport when teams with a short history in the game such as the Trossachs from Callander and Kilchuimen in Fort Augustus are qualifying at the expense of more experienced competitors.”

Harry MacMillan, Vice President Government & Public Affairs, BP Scotland, said: “BP has been a longstanding supporter of the promotion and development of sporting opportunities for young people throughout Scotland. BP TOURFEST is our flagship programme and we are delighted to be working in partnership with sportscotland, the Scottish governing bodies of sport and local authorities.”

Last year's winners Tomnacross, will once again return to defend their title, and will be among the favourites alongside Milngavie & Bearsden, and Park School, Oban.

  • Teams competing in the seventh BP National First Shinty Festival are:
    • Area - Representative
      • Badenoch & Strathspey - Newtonmore
      • Wester Ross – To Be Confirmed
      • North Skye – To Be Confirmed
      • South Skye – To Be Confirmed
      • Aird District - Tomnacross
      • Ross-Shire - Strathpeffer
      • Stratherrick - North Kessock
      • Sutherland - To Be Confirmed
      • City of Inverness - To Be Confirmed
      • Lochaber - Inverlochy
      • Oban & Lorn - Park
      • Mid Argyll - Ardrishaig
      • Kintyre - Dalintober
      • Cowal & Bute – Kyles Athletic
      • Greater Glasgow - Milngavie & Bearsden
      • Central Scotland - Trossachs
  • As well as the First Shinty Festival, BP also sponsor the under-16 national player development camp, ensuring that their support for shinty goes from grass roots introductory level right the way through to performance level camps.
+