Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Finals Day.

The highlight of the shinty calendar will take place on Saturday 17 September 2011 at Bught Park, Inverness. Throw up - 2.30pm

This day provides a feast of shinty with not only the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final but also the Scottish Hydro Development Cup and the McMaster Cup being decided on the day. 

The Scottish Hydro Development Camp brings together the most talented young players from across the country for a week long intensive training camp each summer.
The players, aged between 15 and 17, are nominated to attend the camp by their youth or senior club. Throughout the week the attendees receive training from Camanachd Association coaches on training techniques related to hitting, dribbling and tackling with a number of challenges set to test what they learn. In addition to practical skills, the camp attendees also meet with Scotland International coaches and receive advice on nutrition through a tie-up with sportscotland.

Camp organiser and shinty development officer, Ronald Ross explains: “The aim of the Scottish Hydro National Player Development Camp is to help the players improve all aspects of their game including the technical, physical and tactical elements of the sport. There is also a valuable social aspect to the camp where young people can meet other players from different parts of the country. The week is a real learning experience for all the players and they all leave with a number of new skills which they can apply to their own team games and training.”

Squad leader and shinty development officer Ronald Ross said of last years squad tour to Ireland, ‘It was a great learning experience for all of the Scottish players; it was a relatively inexperienced squad with most of the squad playing shinty/hurling composite rules for the first time. The Scottish players developed a great deal from playing against strong players of County standard, and had to learn quickly how to play at a level higher than they are used to. It was an experience that will stand them in good stead for developing and aspiring to be top senior shinty players.’

The Scottish Hydro Development Squad is an under 17 Scotland select side, with 32 players drawn from clubs across Scotland from Skye Camanachd in the West of Scotland to Aberdour in Fife.

Each year the squad travels to Ireland to pit themselves against their hurling counterparts and to experience the best of Irish culture and hospitality.

Selection to represent their country is the highest accolade that any sport can bestow on a player and the trip encompasses a number of games over the course of the tour. However the trip will also allow the young players time to celebrate Celtic culture, sample a wealth of Irish folklore and develop proven lasting friendships through competition and social contact.

Scottish Hydro Sponsorship Manager Douglas Flowers explains: “We are pleased to be getting more involved in the development side of the game. This tour is a great opportunity for young talented players to improve their game and gain the sort of experience that will stand them in good stead for the future. We are proud to be supporting this valuable initiative.”