Abernethy Highland Games Association | 
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| Well, the fun is all over for another year, and a grand day it was, despite the disappointing weather in the morning. Spectators were treated to a glorious sunny afternoon with some great competition, as well as the stirring spectacle of the massed pipe bands. We were fortunate this year to have two visiting bands from abroad to augment our regular bands from Highland and Moray, and the committee extend to them their grateful thanks, and very best wishes.
Thanks to a new initiative, the North Schools Highland Games Association, the drive is on to encourage schools to provide specialist coaching for young prospective competitors of the future. Such arrangements already exist in Lochaber, and Alness areas, courtesy of well known heavy athletes, Malcolm Cleghorn and David Horne, both of whom have been active in coaching youngsters in their local areas. We were delighted that a group of youngsters from Lochaber High School kindly agreed to come along to the Nethy Games to be put through their paces, demonstrating the range and quality of the coaching they have received to date. This was an exciting opportunity for visitors to the Games to see at first hand just what competing in the heavy events is all about, and appreciate the training and degree of fitness required, as well as the fun, and satisfaction that can be attained. The youngsters put on a splendid display, and two of them stayed on to compete in the Junior competition.
Soon the committee will be starting to plan for 2009 when again Nethybridge will resound to the thrilling sights & sounds of the Highland Games. The date for your diary is Saturday 8th August 2009.
As well as the usual dancing, piping, and field & track events, the fun morning programme for children has proved to be of enormous appeal, making a great family day out.
Homecoming Scotland 2009, a year of celebration of our Scottish culture and traditions; we can expect lots of visitors from overseas, back in Scotland to enjoy and participate in the host of events and activities that are planned all over the country, throughout the year. A visit to the Highland games would be a "must do" for visitors and Scottish residents alike.
This year's Games 9th August 2008 - See Games report for full results.Our Twins in New Zealand - Turakina Highland GamesTurakina is a small village in the western Rangitiki district of New Zealand, midway between Wanganui and Palmerston North. The Maori explorer Hau named Turakina on his journey south when he felled a log to cross the river [from "Turaki" - to fell]. The first European settlers arrived from Scotland by ships into Wellington and later walked 150km up the beaches to Turakina, following the land purchase negotiated by Sir Donald McLean, from the Ngati Apa people in 1849. At its peak in the late 1880's, Turakina and the surrounding area boasted 3 churches, several schools, businesses, industries, 2 railway stations, 4 hotels and an illicit whisky distillery. At that period it was a prosperous and busy township and the Annual Highland Games was established in 1864. They are New Zealand's oldest on-land sporting event. A committee member of the Abernethy Highland Games, who lived his youth in the district, visited the Turakina Highland Games in 2004. He was warmly welcomed and subsequently it was agreed that 2 of the oldest Games, 125 and 140 years respectively, located at opposite ends of the world, would twin. The next Turakina Highland Games will take place on 31st Jan 2009. The next Turakina Highland Games will take place on 31st Jan 2009. |