OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2024-12-31-accounts

Glasgow Mid Argyll Shinty Club Trustees’ Annual Report Period from 1 January to 31 December 2024

Charity Contact Information

Glasgow Mid Argyll Shinty Club SCIO

Scottish Charity Number:

Address:

SC051156 Hillhead Sports Club 32 Hughenden Road Glasgow G12 9XP

Social Media:

facebook.com/GMAShinty Instagram.com/shinty_gma

~~So~~ 2

Charity Trustees

The following were charity trustees for the period referred to in this report:

At the date of submission of the report, the following are charity trustees:

3

Objectives and Activities

In May 2021, the club changed its structure from an informal committee arrangement into a properly constituted Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) and the 2024 season was our third full year under this structure.

The background to this change was that following the Covid-19 pandemic, Glasgow Life, who previously operated the Peterson Park facility on behalf of Glasgow City Council, announced that the facility would not be reopened. Glasgow Life will not revert to the historic arrangement whereby the club could simply hire the pitch and instead began seeking organisations to take on long-term leases and undertake the full maintenance and management of such facilities. At the time of writing, negotiations involving the club and other organisations based at Peterson Park to enter into such permanent arrangements are still ongoing. Such an arrangement has the potential to create a fantastic opportunity for the club, but also poses significant challenges, financially and otherwise.

Reforming the club’s structure into a SCIO arrangement was a necessary step to allow us the opportunity of securing of a short-term lease for the use of the Peterson Park Facilities from Glasgow Life and enable us to return shinty to Peterson Park in 2022. Securing the playing facilities for shinty in Glasgow for future generations via Peterson Park remains a key objective for the club.

The charitable organisation is bound by a new Constitution dated 21 May 2021 which defines the purposes of the organisation as follows:

  1. The advancement of health through the promotion, fostering and development of the traditional and wholly amateur indigenous Scottish sport of shinty within Glasgow and the surrounding communities.

  2. The advancement of public participation in sport, specifically shinty, seeking to participate and attain success at the highest level of both men's and women's national shinty competition whilst promoting the ongoing development of the sport at youth level, benefiting members and the wider community. In addition, the club will maintain a socially diverse and inclusive culture that develops talent and offers both local people and those that come to the city to live and work the opportunity to become members, play shinty and volunteer within the club, whilst promoting the benefits that playing sport and volunteering can bring.

  3. The provision of recreational facilities, the organisation of recreational activities with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended.

4

To achieve these purposes, the following activities are undertaken:

5

Structure, Governance and Management

Type of governing document

The charity’s governing document is a constitution entitled “Constitution of Glasgow Mid Argyll Shinty Club SCIO” and dated 21 May 2021.

Trustee recruitment and appointment

The board (generally referred to as the committee) is elected at the club AGM which is held each year in January. The committee members elected also serve as charity trustees for that year. The President and Vice President are appointed for a period of three years. All other members are appointed for a period of one year but shall then be eligible for re-election. The committee that was elected at the AGM in January 2024 is therefore considered as the charity trustees for 2024 as listed above. No changes were made to the personnel on the committee during the year.

Recruitment of committee members/charity trustees is generally done internally to the organisation by identification of those members willing to volunteer to take on a committee role. Any new appointments to the committee must be nominated and seconded at the AGM. If required, an election may be held in accordance with the organisation’s constitution. No external organisation is allowed to appoint charity trustees.

6

Achievements and Performance

Playing

On the field, the club overall had a generally successful year in 2024.

Following relegation from the Premiership in 2023, and with several long-serving players moving on, the men’s first team struggled somewhat for consistency in the league, ultimately finishing in third place in the National Division. Performance in cup competitions was again strong. We were edged out in extra time both the semi-final of the Glasgow Celtic Society Cup and the quarter-final of the Camanachd Cup. However, the high point of the season was reached as we won the Balliemore Cup, with a 1-0 win over Fort William at Spean Bridge. This was the first time GMA has won this cup, the national intermediate championship.

The men’s second team squad was again impacted by key players moving up to strengthen the first team, however this did open up opportunities for youth players to gain experience of senior shinty. The second team finished a comfortable third position in South Division 1. In the Bullough Cup, we were beaten 7-5 after extra time in a remarkable game against Inveraray, and in the Sutherland Cup, we pushed the all-conquering Newtonmore second team all the way, and were unfortunate to be beaten 2-1.

The women’s section, having had an encouraging increase in player numbers during 2022 and returning to fielding two full teams in 2023, was again able to field both a first and second team in 2024. The first team finished in mid-table in the National Division. The second team had finished the regular season level on points with Tayforth at the top of South Division 2. A playoff match was required to separate the teams, which we won by a score of 7-4, a great success for the team in only their second season. The second team also reached the semi-final of the Challenge Cup, in which we were defeated by eventual winners, Inverness.

The youth section entered teams at under-17, under-14 and under-12 levels, the latter having been a new addition in 2022. The under-17 team continued to be successful, building on the WJ Cameron Development Cup they had won in 2022 and 2023 by winning the south of Scotland under-17 knockout competition, the MacQuisten Cup, with an impressive 7-1 win over Oban Camanachd.

At under-14 level we continue to build resilience and have one of the strongest under-14 squads in the South. A new cohort of coaches is pushing forward at this level, and our volunteers within the youth section make a huge contribution to ensuring the club has clear and stable pathways from primary school shinty into the senior set up. This is critical to achieving our aims of a self-sustaining structure capable of playing at the highest levels in the sport.

7

During the summer holidays, our youth summer shinty camp was once again held at Peterson Park, with players aged from 5 to 14 taking part in training and games led by our club coaches throughout the week. Girls only day camps were also held this year. Thanks are also noted to for being a strong advocate

for girls shinty and her work at Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu in partnership with Bishopbriggs Academy and Iomain Cholmcille to promote shinty and Gaelic through secondary schools.

A number of our players achieved representative honours this year. The individual achievements below are noted and the club congratulates all these players and coaches on their achievements:

were all selected to play in the West v East representative match.

match.

• Robb were selected to play in the North v South under-14 representative match.

• were selected to play in the North v South under-21 Representative match.

8

Non-Playing

For the third year in a row, the club hosted the Glasgow Celtic Society Cup Final in June. This event enables us to showcase the Peterson Park facility to both the Camanachd Association and the attending crowd, as well as the television audience on BBC Alba. We continue to work with the Glasgow Celtic Society to remain as hosts of this event going forward.

We also hosted the Bullough Cup Final for the first time. The final had been scheduled for another venue, however both the original venue and its back up were unplayable, demonstrating how lucky we are to have a facility that stands up well to the Scottish climate.

The Camanachd Association again held the MacKay Cup youth competition at Peterson Park, and the University of Glasgow once again hosted the Jack Asher Sixes tournament, as we continue to welcome the wider shinty community to make use of our facilities.

In 2023, the club engaged with Clubforce to provide a membership platform and ease the burden on committee members, in particular the Treasurer, with regard to collection of membership fees. We also introduced a new “Supporter” category of membership and launched a new club lottery via Clubforce to provide some additional income streams. Clubforce are continuing to develop their app and we hope to continue to use the platform and expand its use to more aspects of the club, e.g. ticket sales for club events.

We welcomed to our team of volunteers in 2023 as club chaplain. He is available to provide pastoral care and mental health or any other support to any members in need. has attended training sessions, matches and social events, providing a friendly face and a listening ear. We’re thankful to report that will continue in his role going forward.

GMA continues to be represented within the Camanachd Association, with our former player and coach and our women’s team coach continuing in their respective roles as President of the CA and Schools and Youth Director.

We had success at the 2024 Mowi Shinty Awards, with the club receiving the Gary Innes Award for Youth Club of the Year 2024, which was presented to on behalf of all involved with the youth section. The commitment of the youth coaches is recognised by the club, and the senior teams are now benefiting from the transition of youth coaches into the senior sections.

9

Club Centenary

During 2023, we were made aware of archive material from the predecessor club to GMA, Blawarthill, which confirmed that the modern club came into being in 1924 and not 1928 as previously thought. This meant that 2024 was the club’s centenary year, and a number of events took place to mark the occasion.

Firstly, as a club with family and friends and players past and present, we celebrated our centenary year with a dinner and ceilidh at Hillhead Sports Club. A notable attendee was , who delivered a speech providing a fascinating and witty insight into some of the club’s history, including the discovery of the previously unknown story of the club’s formation in 1924, four years earlier than previously thought. We thank our sponsor Taylor and Fraser for hosting the predinner drinks reception and the many others who contributed with raffle prizes and were acknowledged on the night. We also launched our commemorative whisky in partnership with the Clydeside Distillery of which a “limited edition” run of bottles was available for purchase.

In addition to our own celebrations, we were invited to a civic reception by the City of Glasgow to honour our centenary. The evening included a drinks reception, dinner, and speeches within the City Chambers Building at George Square. A wide cross section of guests were invited including current and past captains, former players including the 1973 Camanachd Cup winning team as well as representatives of the local universities and junior clubs.

delivered the keynote speech which honoured and acknowledged the importance of both the club and the sport to the City, a history in the sport’s terms that stretches back hundreds of years. Other Officials from the City included the Deacon Convenor from Trades House and Lord Dean of Guild.

The committee have agreed that the recently uncovered historical documents will be offered to the Mitchell Library in the city as part of a contribution toward the history of the sport in Glasgow, this will join the Glasgow Celtic Society’s archive also, ensuring its availability to anyone with the interest of the sport along with its security in a safe environment.

10

Peterson Park Update

As mentioned previously, the club entered into a Community Interest Company (CIC) with Glasgow Gaels GAA and BSC Glasgow with the aim of securing the facility at Peterson Park for the future. Peterson Park Playing Fields Trust CIC became Peterson Park Playing Fields Trust SCIO (a charitable organisation) in November 2024 to ensure that we can run the enterprise in the most tax efficient manner and ensure that we will qualify for non-domestic rates relief. It is PPPFT that would go forward into the long-term lease arrangements with Glasgow City Council.

Current arrangements

At present we continue to operate at Peterson Park through a short-term License to Operate (LtO) arrangement between Glasgow Life and Glasgow Mid Argyll which has now been in place since March 2022. We have successfully demonstrated that we can operate the facility in partnership with the other two anchor clubs.

From April 2024, as part of an agreed phased transition we took on all charges and costs relating to the changing room pavilion and since August 2024 have been responsible for the cutting and maintenance of the playing fields. We are now effectively self-funding as an organisation, with no further direct financial support from the council.

Grant Applications and Fundraising

During 2024, we were successful in several grant applications to purchase grass cutting and pitch lining machinery and ancillary equipment to allow the grounds to be maintained in the future through our volunteer pool. We received grants from the Area Partnership Fund, Awards for All and the Flightpath fund which left us with a £7,500 overall shortfall from our target. Each anchor club committed to raising the necessary shortfall of £2,500 each and the club and wider shinty community in Glasgow helped raise over £3000 through our Christmas Challenge.

We have now purchased a Kubota tractor, grass cutting deck and pitch lining machine which will be in operation at Peterson Park during 2025. A group of players and other volunteers helped prepare the area for the machinery storage container. Thanks are due in particular to for leading this, and to

for arranging the hi-ab to lift the container into place. We intend to seek further grant funding for additional groundskeeping equipment during the forthcoming year including fertiliser spreaders, slitters etc.

We were also awarded ENV2 funding for the erection of ball catch fencing at either end of the shinty pitch. Despite us following the necessary procedures

11

including gaining planning approval, the project has stalled in relation to release of the funding by GCC and the erection of these fences will be deferred until 2025.

Lastly, we secured further grant funding to purchase portable floodlights for use at Peterson Park during the darker winter nights which will help reduce our costs of hiring external facilities in future years.

Long Term Plan

It is proposed that a phased approach will be taken to the improvement and upgrading of the facilities at Peterson Park to fulfil our long-term strategic objectives of creating a centre of excellence for traditional field sports in Glasgow whilst retaining and managing this valuable green space within the local community for informal use.

Ultimately our vision is that we will create a facility with improved grass pitch surfaces and an artificial pitch with floodlights that we can use to generate the necessary revenue to fund and operate the centre. We will also incorporate improved energy efficient dressing room facilities and car parking facilities within the overall proposals.

We are a long way from this point at present but have developed an overall masterplan and engaged with companies such as Sportslab in relation to the grass and artificial pitches, and with Business Energy Scotland in relation to energy efficiency measures that can potentially receive funding.

We have entered into discussions with potential major funders including the Community Ownership Fund (COF), SportScotland Facilities Fund and the SFA Grassroots Pitch and Facilities Fund. Disappointingly, after going through the COF application process, this fund was scrapped by the new UK Government following the General Election which has cost us a fair bit of abortive effort.

None of this can happen until we have security of tenure hence the need to secure the long-term lease as soon as possible. Nevertheless, we are confident that we have a unique multi-sports proposal that will be attractive to potential funders and may differentiate us from other projects in what is a highly competitive space.

Summary

In conclusion, we have made some headway in 2024 in achieving our ambitions, but there is also a sense of frustration in our dealings with GCC over the day-to-day running of the facility and in negotiating the long-term lease.

Our relationship with the other anchor clubs is stable at present. We still have major challenges ahead of us meaning the overall situation remains fragile. We are under no illusions as to the amount of work required to make our vision a

12

reality. The arrangement needs to be sustainable in the long term which requires a big commitment from Glasgow Mid Argyll both in terms of funding and volunteers.

However, there still remains a massive opportunity for us to create a permanent home for shinty in Glasgow for future generations to enjoy.

Once again, the club recognises the exceptional effort by in his endeavours to secure our long-term future at Peterson Park.

13

Financial Review The signed accounts and independent examiner's report for the period are included at the end of this report. These show that the club had income of £32,813 (2023= £33,529) and expenditure of £28,99512023'. £28,325) resulting in an operating profit of £3,818 and a closing balance of £41,755. This reflects a healthy position, however as mentioned previously, the future holds the significant challenge of increased costs relating to Peterson Park. A breakdown of the charity's income is shown below" Income Sale of Kit Oonatiorb Pitch Rental 3Yo Membership lThc. Lottery 26% Advertising Gate Receipts 5Yo Sponsorship Grant FundiTh8 15Y. Fundraising 19Y4 Lottery Only 17Yo The main income stream for the charity is membership fees. The next largest incomes fundraising. lottery tickets and grant funding which together made up over 500/0 of income. The new club lottery and grant funding were targeted as potential growth areas for 2024 and both have provided increased revenue this year 2024. Grant funding was made up of £2,000 from Sported Foundation and separate grants of £1,875 and £975 from Culture and Sport Glasgow. Sponsorship income for the year was mainly from individual player sponsorships, and we are seeking new main team sponsors. Increased sponsorship income will be targeted in 2025, as well as continued efforts in securing grant funding and growing the lottery income. 14

Pitch rental income was £1,000 in total. This was from the Glasgow Celtic Society in relation to hosting the GCS Cup Final and it is noted that the rental fee of £500 for both 2023 and 2024 were received in the 2024 period. A breakdown of the charity's expenditure is shown below: Hall Booking 1% Expenditure Referees 6% Transport Costs Oyo Miscellaneous Pitch Maintenance 33% Pitch Hire Equipment Purchase 21Y4 Camanachd Association Fees 22% With the new arrangements in place at Peterson Park, pitch maintenance now makes up the most significant proportion of our costs. The total of £9.631 included a payment of £9,500 to PPPFT in relation to this. Equipment purchase expenditure relates to GMA only (i.e. not to grass cutling equipment etc. purchased through PPPFT). This cost was made up of the new portable floodlights (one-off cost in 2024) and shinty sticks and balls (ongoing costs). Some of the cost of shinty sticks is recouped by the subsidised sale of sticks to members. Pitch hire costs totalled £3,092. It is hoped that with the new portable floodlights purchased, pitch hire can be minimised in future. A main expense for the charity is fees to the Camanachd Association. This is a required cost as every member playing or coaching requires to have CA 15

registration and insurance. Likewise, referee costs must be paid to the CA in order to participate in shinty competition.

Statement of the charity’s policy on reserves

It is intended to invest a proportion of our reserves into a higher interest savings account. This will also improve security as opposed to holding a large balance in the club’s current account.

Details of any deficit

N/A

Donated facilities and services

N/A

16

Future Plans

The charity’s aims and plans for 2025 and beyond include:

Additional Information

It is with sadness we acknowledge the passing of at the age of 90 in April 2024. As well as being a notable player with Glasgow Mid Argyll with two Glasgow Celtic Society Cup winners medals (and with Oban Camanachd, winning three MacAulay Cup winners medals), was an active member of the

Glasgow Celtic Society taking several roles including as a Director and latterly as Chieftain from 2016.

. An obituary for was supplied to the CA for inclusion in this year’s Shinty Yearbook.

In terms of the club’s management committee, we thank and for their hard work over the past years and we will welcome their replacements, . We also welcome as a new committee member, assisting with his role in facilities and equipment. Thanks are recorded to outgoing men’s captain and best wishes to the new captain, .

17

Declaration

Signed on behalf of the charity trustees:

Print name Designation Date

Secretary 15/09/2025

18

GLW MID ARGYLL SHINTY CLUB- Accounting Year 2024124 Debit Credit 37,937 Opening Balance Membership Fee Kit purchase Sponsorship Fundraising Lottery only Pitch Rental Gate receipts Advertising Membership and kit sale Grant Funding Transport cost Donation 11,666 6,131 5,428 1,604 1,425 4,850 400 Pitch Hire Equipment Purchase Referee Costs Lottery Camanachd Assoc Fees Match Catering Transport costs Hall Booking Physio sessions Pitch Maintenance Advertising Miscellaneous 3,092 5,968 1,683 6,508 52 375 9,631 1,686 Operating Profit 6,958 Bank balance at 3111212024 44,895 Treasurer 2210912025 èpen DATE 0111012025 ent Examiner . Wincanlon- Internal

ACCAAaadkf pd APPENDIX 3 OSCR ScottLth Charity Reguktor Inde endent examiner's re ort on the accounts Report to the Charity name trusteeslmembers of Glasgow Mid Argyll Shinty Club Registered charity SC051156 number On the accounts of the charity for the period Peric#J start date m￿th 01 Period end date Monlh 12 Year Year 01 2024 31 2(r24 Set out on pages rE￿￿￿bert0IndLKI2tt￿ ￿e u￿t￿3 ora(k*b￿& Sheets) Respective The charity's Irustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance responsibilities of with the terms of the Charrties and Trustee Invesbnent {Scotlandl 2005 Act and the trustees and examiner Charities Accounts (Scotlandl Regulations 2006 las amended). The charty trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10111 (dl of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 4411) Icl of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts examiner's statement Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charty and a comparison of the accounts wesented wilh those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks explanations from the trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Independent examiner's In the course of my eXaminat￿n. no matter has c￿e to my attention statement | 1. which gNes me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements" to keep accounting records in accordance with section 4411) la) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations. and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting record5 and compty with RegUlat￿n 9 of the 2006 Accourrts Regulations have not been met. or to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached_ Signed.. Name.. Relevant professional qualificationls) or body (if any).. Address.. 'Ple85e de￿te the words in the brackets If they do rK)l appty. If the wolds do appw. set OUL th￿e fft8tte￿ which have come to your attention on the follo￿n9 page

APPENDIX 3 Disclosure section Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems. Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose