Schools to battle it out for 2011 Trophy
Issued by Comunn na Gàidhlig
Up to 70 young people from schools across Scotland will gather this coming Saturday to challenge for Cuach na Cloinne 2011, a football competition for Gaelic-speaking primary school pupils.
Nine teams, who have previously qualified from regional competitions, held in Lewis, Plockton, Inverness, Oban and Glasgow will fight it out to lift the trophy. The competition will be held at Lochaber High School on Saturday 1st October and will kick off at 10.30. The competing teams will come from Lewis, Skye, Inverness, Dingwall, Fort William, Dunoon, Cumbernauld and Edinburgh.
Iain Gordon Macdonald, Head Teacher at Shawbost School said, “The pupils get many benefits from competing in Cuach na Cloinne. It provides them with an opportunity to speak in Gaelic to pupils from other parts Scotland and they also get to learn about different parts of the country. With regards to fitness and health, it is good for them to be involved in sports and, as a result, increases their self confidence”
Donald MacNèill, Chief Executive of Comunn na Gàidhlig, which organises the competition said, “We are delighted how the regional competitions fared and we are now looking forward to the finals. It is vital that Gaelic-speaking children have opportunities to use their language out with the classroom and sporting competitions are an excellent vehicle for this. It is also good for them to see that Gaelic is used across many parts of Scotland and not just in their own communities. We are grateful to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, The Highland Council, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and MG ALBA for providing the funding to enable us to run this year’s competition and look forward to another good day’s fun.”
John Finlayson, Head Teacher at Portree Primary School said, “As a school who likes to involve its pupils in lots of healthy and sporting activities as well as supporting our Gaelic culture we are delighted to be involved in Cuach na Cloinne. This competition provides added opportunities for pupils to speak Gaelic in a setting out with school and it also provides opportunities for pupils to make new friends for both now and the future.
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