PICTURE SPECIAL: Badenoch teams clean up at the Mowi shinty awards for 2022
Kingussie were the biggest winners as the 2022 Mowi Awards winners were announced at a ceremony at the Highland Cinema in Fort William on Saturday night.
The Mowi Awards at the Cameron Square venue recognised the extraordinary efforts and incredible endeavour required to deliver shinty in 2022 and they were presented by Jayne MacKay and Dougie Hunter from sponsors Mowi.
Just as they have done on the field this term, Grand Slam winners Kingussie dominated the proceedings.
Kings keeper Rory MacGregor was present to formally receive the Albert Smith medal from Victor Smith following his man of the match performance in the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final victory over Lovat at the Dell.
Off the park, the club put in a massive effort to stage September’s sell-out Camanachd Cup Final which was followed by the hugely popular Final Fling concert.
The event undoubtedly raised the bar as far as hosting a Camanachd Cup Final is concerned and this was recognised with the presentation of the Mowi Award for Innovation.
Fiona Young and Lorna MacGregor, both involved in so many good things behind the scenes at Kingussie, accepted the honour on behalf of the club.
Meantime, the William Paterson Salver for Volunteer of the Year went to club stalwart John Robertson who was also heavily involved in the Camanachd Cup Final arrangements and who has served the club so diligently for many years.
Newtonmore swept the boards at second team level in 2022, completing a clean sweep of trophies, and their manager Peter Ross deservedly took the Mowi North coach of the year trophy. Ross’ assistant manager Mark Taylor was present to collect the trophy on his behalf.
Badenoch featured strongly when it came to the Women’s Camanachd Association Awards and in a season where they completed the Mowi National Division and Mowi Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup double, they dominated the senior awards.
Badenoch as a club took the Mowi National Division club of the year award whilst Scott Campbell and Iain Robinson were coaches of the year. Jeanette MacGregor, a mainstay in the Badenoch side from the outset, saw her performances this term earn the Mowi National Division player of the year.
The evening culminated with the main two prizes and the focus returned to Kingussie.
Manager John Gibson’s achievements leading the side to a first Grand Slam since 2003 were recognised as he was the outstanding candidate for Mowi coach of the year.
Meantime Kings top scorer Roddy Young, with 36 goals to his name this season, was given the Mowi National player of the year accolade.
There have been many important goals amongst his haul with Young scoring in the Camanachd, MacAulay and MacTavish Cup Finals as well as in the match that sealed the Premiership title.
With special thanks to the Camanachd Association and Neil Paterson for all photographs.