Skye's historic shinty first in USA

Published on Wednesday 19 August 2009 22:43

THE first Scotland v America shinty clash ever to be held in the US will take place on 5 September, with Skye travelling to Pleasanton to face North California.

Shinty has slowly being taking hold in the States, with North California Camanachd Club (NCCC) taking caman and ball to the home of basebell back in 2002.

Founder Michael Bentley started the club following a trip to Scotland in the 1980s and Shinty has grown steadily ever since, with expats and novices playing the sport.

Now NCCC and Skye are to break new ground with the first official Shinty club match ever staged in America. Skye fly out to their base at Stanford University next week as guests of NCCC and will give coaching sessions and a seminar on Skye's history and culture.

The following weekend they will face their hosts at the Pleasanton Highland Games at Almeda County Fairgrounds.

There is now an official Shinty league in America as well as clubs in Washington and Texas.

"This is the first time a Scottish club has ever toured America and there has never been an official club match on American soil between the two countries to date," said Skye spokesman, Eoghan Stewart.