Cuach na Cloinne 2017 title goes to Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce
Issued by Comunn na Gàidhlig
Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce have emerged as winners of this year’s Cuach na Cloinne competition!
The Finals competition, which was held at Inverness Caledonian Thistle F C Stadium, was hard fought, but at the end of the competition Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce emerged victorious with Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis runners up. Despite inclement weather conditions the teams provided wonderful entertainment and it was a delight to hear so many youngsters speak so fluently in Gaelic.
Over the past few weeks, regional competitions were held in Lewis, Uist, Skye, Inverness, Fort William and Glasgow resulting in teams from Back, Daliburgh, Portree, Inverness, Lochaber and Taobh na Pàirce, Edinburgh qualifying for the national Finals which took place yesterday, Tuesday 30 May. As well as playing in the finals competition, all the teams were given a number of coaching sessions from Caley Thistle coaches.
Cuach na Cloinne is a national football competition, which creates an opportunity for young people from primary schools across Scotland who attend Gaelic Medium Education to meet and compete against each other. It gives the youngsters the opportunity to meet and to make friends with young Gaelic-speakers from other schools and also demonstrates to the youngsters that Gaelic is spoken across Scotland, and not just in their own particular communities. The competition is held entirely in Gaelic. A record number of teams participated in this year’s competition with 62 teams representing 33 schools taking part nationally.
The Highland Council Convenor Councillor Bill Lobban, who presented the trophy to the winning team, said, “Many congratulations go to Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce. Cuach na Cloinne is well established event on the extra-curricular events circuit. It has created an opportunity for young people from schools across Scotland who attend Gaelic Medium Education to meet and compete against each other and combines their Gaelic linguistic and footballing skills in an inclusive and entertaining manner.”
A new trophy, sponsored by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Sàr Neach Cleachdaidh na Gàidhlig, was presented this year to the individual player who, in the view of the referees, made the most use of the Gaelic language throughout the event. The winner of the award was Murdo Shaw, from Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abair.(Lochaber Gaelic Primary School)
David Boag, Director of Language Planning and Community Developments at Bòrd na Gàidhlig, who presented the award to Murdo said, “Bòrd na Gàidhlig is delighted to provide funding for Cuach na Cloinne, and we congratulate everybody who has participated in it. It is particularly pleasing to hear the youngsters taking part in the competition communicating so naturally with each other in Gaelic. This is important for the future of the language.”
Councillor Norman A MacDonald, Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar said, “I would like to congratulate Sgoil Taobh na Pàirce on doing so well in winning this competition. With over 60 teams taking part in the competition, they did wonderfully well to come out on top. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is delighted to support Cuach na Cloinne, a competition that gives young people from across our islands the opportunity to compete in a national sports competition held entirely in Gaelic. I am sure that all those who attended enjoyed the fantastic opportunity of playing at Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s Stadium”
Donald MacNeill, Ceannard of Comunn na Gàidhlig, who run the competition said, “It is extremely encouraging to see so many youngsters from all parts of Scotland taking part in the competition. Cuach na Cloinne is all about young people having a lot of fun – they also get some exercise, an opportunity to meet other youngsters from across Scotland, an opportunity to use their Gaelic out with the schools and above all else that they go home having had a good positive experience. I would imagine that the experience of playing at the Inverness Caledonian F C stadium, and getting coaching from Caley Thistle coaches will leave the youngsters with powerful and positive memories which they will have for many years to come. We are grateful to The Highland Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Bòrd na Gàidhlig for their continuing support for Cuach na Cloinne.”
Cuach na Cloinne 2017 is funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and The Highland Council and organised by Comunn na Gàidhlig.
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