Strathspey Camanachd announce new management trio
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Strathspey Camanachd, who finished a credible fifth in Mowi North Division 2 last season, have announced their new management team.
A trio of Ulrica Ford, Iain Mackintosh and Matthew ‘Bob’ Davies will look after the side and preparations are already under way as the pre-season was due to began yesterday (Wednesday) at the Dalfaber Leisure Centre in Aviemore.
They will take over from Donald Colville who stepped down at the end of last season.
Co-manager Ulrica Ford is looking forward to the new season and working within the new management team.
“It’s going to be fun,” she said.
“It’s an arrangement that will work for us as there is a lot of common ground and we know each other well enough to be blunt if that is necessary.
“Bob (Davis) will lead with the weekly training sessions and the indoor facility at Dalfaber prevents having to cancel sessions due to the bad weather. Iain and I will be at all the sessions too.
“Iain and I will then share the matchday duties.
“From my own perspective, my son Arran Ford plays for Newtonmore and I would like to watch him if he is playing for ‘More at the Eilan on a Saturday so Iain and I may do alternative weeks.”
The Newtonmore link has worked well for both clubs in the past with the likes of Struan Ross and Tristan Ross having played for Strathspey before representing the ‘More second team and in the case of Struan Ross, making the step up to Mowi Premiership shinty with the ‘More first team.
It is a relationship Ulrica Ford would like to continue.
She said: “I have a meeting organised with Newtonmore second-team manager Peter Ross later in the week to talk about how we might work together.
“We are able to offer game time, which is so important, to any young players who aren’t yet in the ‘More second team so there may be an arrangement that works for both clubs.
“Peter and Newtonmore have been very helpful in the past and we, for our part, have helped develop some players who have since gone to Newtonmore, and to Kingussie, so we are certainly keen to explore any opportunities.
“Shinty is so culturally important to this area and whilst there was already activity at primary school level in the area, the high school now has shinty on the curriculum and Bob Davies comes in to take Friday afternoon shinty sessions.
“We have an under-14 team up and going so it is all looking good for introducing a Strathspey under-17 side in a couple of years’ time to complete the player pathway.”
Club spokeswoman Lucy Davies said: “The club is delighted to announce our new management team for the 2023 season.
“It is fantastic in particular to welcome Ulrica on board, who has a vast experience in the game and is looking forward to taking on the challenge of working with the men at this level.”
Strathspey have already organised two pre-season friendlies.
They take on fellow Mowi North Division 2 side Boleskine on Saturday, February 4, with the venue to be decided.
Strathspey will then be tested as they face higher league opposition on February 25 when the Skye Camanachd second team, who play in Mowi North Division 1, visit Grantown Grammar School although the match could be switched to Portree if necessary.
Strathspey Camanachd are always on the look-out for new players, whether they have been away from the sport for a while or looking to get back involved.
The club is also keen to encourage new blood so anyone new to the sport is also welcome.
Anyone interested can contact the club through their Facebook page, even if they would just like to talk to someone before making any commitment.
Strathspey men’s pre-season training is at Dalfaber on Wednesdays between 7pm and 8.30pm.
The Grantown club will be holding its annual general meeting at the Royal British Legion Scotland Strathspey Clubrooms in the town this Saturday (January 21).
