Save Small School Shinty: Don’t Disqualify North End from the National Finals

Our children won their place on the pitch. Don’t let an non-consulted mid-season rule change take the finals away from them.

Right now, a group of determined P6 & 7 players from the North End of Skye—representing the small communities of MacDiarmid, Edinbane, Staffin, Carbost, and Dunvegan primary schools—are being told their dream is over. After battling through a competitive local qualifier (with the same starting line up as the previous year) and winning their spot in the National Finals, the Camanachd Association continue to deny these young stars the opportunity to compete on a national scale.

By slashing the school roll amalgamation limit from 150 to 80, the Association has effectively disqualified North End. This isn't just a tweak to the rules; it is a direct strike against the heart of rural youth sport.

This new 80-pupil cap is fundamentally flawed. It counts every child in a school including P1 to P3 pupils who could not feasibly compete in a P6&7 tournament. Meanwhile centralised schools are permitted to compete with rolls well in excess of 100 - well over 200-300 on the mainland. These centralised schools draw pupils from the smaller rural areas further impacting the availability of competitive resource.

Let’s be clear: Amalgamation for small schools is not about "cherry-picking" elite players to create a "super-team." It is a survival necessity. Our schools do not have the individual numbers, the coaching staff, or the equipment to field independent teams. North End is the only way these children can play our national sport. Without this collective approach, these children are simply erased from the game.

We are talking about 11 and 12-year-olds who have trained in the wind and rain, played with heart, and earned the right to represent their community. To tell them they are ineligible because of their postcode—and to do so midway through the season—is a devastating blow to their mental wellbeing and their trust in fair play. Evidence shows that the Camanachd Association have not followed appropriate due process in implementing this rule change and have done so unilaterally without consultation, engagement or empathy.

If we allow this to happen to North End and South Skye, it won't stop here. This rule will kill off youth shinty in rural pockets across all of Scotland. We are fighting for the future of the game in every small village and township.

We demand that the Camanachd Association immediately:
Reinstate the 150-pupil roll limit for the remainder of the 2026 season or recognise the arbitrary approach to including P1-3 pupils in that limit.
Allow North End to take their rightful place in the National Finals.
Commit to a fair review that bases eligibility on relevant age-group numbers, not arbitrary total school rolls.
Please sign this petition to stand up for rural inclusion, fair play, and the children of Skye. Let them play!
 
 
Suggested Tags for Change.org:
#Shinty #Skye #YouthSport #RuralInclusion #SaveNorthEnd #CamanachdAssociation #FairPlay #SportForLife #IsleOfSkye #ScottishSport