Kingussie's Betty and Netty take on their own Everest

Team Betty or Team Netty? Who will win the WCA’s “Mount Everest Step-up” Challenge?

Like many other athletes the shinty players at the WCA have decided to put their lockdown training effort.

Two teams will be tackling their very own Everest – at home on their stairs – to raise money for Chest Heart & Stroke (Scotland) this weekend.

They are being captained by Elizabeth McGregor and her twin sister Jeanette.

Betty and Netty, as they are known in the shinty world hail from Kingussie and play for league champions Badenoch Ladies.

And to ramp up the competiton there is a great forfeit.

Given that both twins are Kingussie to the core – they have supported their home town side through thick and thin – what better incentive than the prospect of the loser posing for pictures in the Blue and White stripes of rivals Newtonmore?

Jeanette said: "A blue and white Willie Winkie hat would look nice in the photos. Surely some knitter in Newtonmore can oblige!

"More importantly if you would like to support us in fulfilling our challenge, please click on to our JustGiving page and offer any support you can."

The suggestion to support CHSS initially came from WCA referee development officer, Tina Marshall, who learned through her friendship with Highland councillor Emma Knox that CHSS were running a step-up challenge to raise funds for the charity during lockdown.

It struck Tina that the type of challenge proposed was perfect for the WCA providing competition and banter as well as team bonding at a time where it could be easy to lose sight of all of those things.

As a result, on Sunday – to coincide with what would have been the opening round of the WCA Camanachd Cup – the two teams from WCA will vie with each other to complete the Mount Everest Step-up Challenge.

Mount Everest is 29,029 feet high and complicated mathematics by WCA President Lisa MacColl saw this figure converted into a grand total of 57,455 steps which amounts to five miles per competitor.

Individual times will be totted up and the team which walks it fastest will be the winner.

Both McGregors have gained international honours while brother Bob featured as keeper of Kingussie’s title winning Premier side last season.

Team Betty consists of Elizabeth herself who plays in goal for her club and Scotland. She is also the Fixture’s secretary of the WCA.

Supporting her is WCA President Lisa MacColl (Aberdour), Camanachd Association director Lindsay Bradley (Ardnamurchan), Karen Williamson (Invergarry), vice president of the WCA, Taryn Neilson, the WCA’s Events Co-ordinator (Aberdour) and Natasha Andean (Badenoch) WCA treasurer.

Team Netty comprises Jeanette, a defender at heart with International caps and Niamh Donnelly (Aberdour), an NHS worker currently in the front line of the Co-vid fight.

Also involved is shinty referee Tina Marshall, the first female to officiate as line judge at a Camanachd Cup final; Claire Delaney (Lochaber), Gillian Brown (Aberdour), U18 league coordinator and WCA secretary Melanie Williams, from Bute.

Like many charities, CHSS has been left struggling for cash while the economy has been shut down to keep Covid-19 at bay.

More details at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/womens-camanachd-association

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