Gibson stays at the helm on the Dell
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Kingussie Camanachd boss John Gibson was the popular choice to continue at the helm of the first team for next season.
His re-appointment was confirmed at the club’s latest AGM held at the town’s Talla nan Ros.
The role of second team manager and under-17 coaches will be confirmed by the committee at a later date.
Robbie Macpherson will look after the under-14s with primary school level duties shared between Russell Jones, Paul Gow, Jeanette McGregor, Elizabeth McGregor, Linda Olds and Orla Olds.
Kingussie president Russell Jones drew comparisons to 24 months earlier at the annual meeting.
He said: “It’s been a strange couple of years since our last proper AGM in November 2019 when we had the Premiership trophy, Macaulay Cup and MacTavish Juvenile Cup in the boardroom after our most successful season in a decade.
“We were all looking forward to 2020 with a competitive first team, exciting young players in our other four teams and the prospect of the Camanachd Cup Final coming to the Dell for the first time in 21 years.
“Fast forward to November 2021 and we still have the Premiership trophy, Macaulay Cup and MacTavish Juvenile Cup (the final against Beauly was days away) as well as exciting young players in our other four teams and we are now looking forward to the prospect of the Camanachd Cup Final coming to the Dell for the first time in 23 years!
“We could not have got back to training and playing shinty without the volunteers who set out our Covid procedures and attended training and matches to take registers and help keep everybody safe.
“We realised at the start of the season that our finances just didn’t add up as we were without the income from first team home games that goes a long way towards paying for travel to away games.
“We had no choice but to ask players and parents to bear the costs for this season and we can only thank and pay tribute to everybody who stepped up.
“All being well, normal service will be resumed next season.
“The first team appeared in two finals and a semi-final, the second team reached a semi-final and the under-17s and primary team both reached finals.
“The under-14s were very young this year and the whole squad bar one player will be available next year so there was a lot to be happy about and there is much to be optimistic about going forward.”
Mr Jones passed on thanks to Chris Donald and Simon Leiper who are stepping down from their roles as Kingussie second team managers.
Kingussie treasurer Lorna MacGregor was thanked for her hard work keeping finances in shape through a difficult period and she was able to report that the club is in good financial health.
The primary team parents are currently running a raffle on behalf of the club which will be drawn following the traditional shinty match on New Year’s Day in the town.
Mr Jones finished by telling those present that: “It is always important for Kingussie Camanachd to be at the centre of our community and to never forget the support they give us.
“With this in mind, we will again host the town’s Hogmanay event at the Market Stance, restrictions permitting.”
The various offices for next season were confirmed with long-serving Chieftain Joe Taylor continuing in his role.
Mr Jones remains as president with John Robertson as past-president.
Lorna MacGregor continues as treasurer with Fiona Young as media officer and the club’s child protection officer is Ronald Ross.
The trustees are Sarah Fraser, Michael Thain, Davie Anderson, Chris Donald, Iain Gunn and Savio Genini.
