Successful Scotland shinty-hurling manager Garry Reid will become a Premiership team boss for the first time as he takes over the reins at Caberfeidh.
The former Strathglass player and coach said: “My appetite was there for getting back into coaching – and Cabers picked the right time to approach me.
“They offered a tempting package with the support in place for a management team to make my job easier.
“They’ve got good players, an active committee and a strong club.
“There seems plenty of commitment – and I look forward to making the most of the opportunity.”
Brian MacDonald, assistant manager under former boss Jodi Gorski, has agreed to stay in post, with player-coach Kevin Bartlett – an international points scorer for Reid – being promoted to join him as additional assistant.
The new fitness coach is Gavin Campbell.
“I want to have an early management team meeting so I can get feedback from them on what improvements are needed,” said Garry. “Then I’ll enjoy December and get cracking when training starts in January.”
Reid, who holds a senior post with sportscotland, was player-coach when Strathglass won the Balliemore Cup in 2009, but now he leads the Ross-shire raiders in all the major competitions, including the MacTavish Cup where they were runners-up this year.
Gorski, who stood down after seven seasons as Caberfeidh manager in October – ending on an eight-game unbeaten run – is happy to provide backup to the new management team when required, in addition to coaching the Strathpeffer side’s under-17s with Scott Anderson.
Cabers finished sixth in the Premiership table, only a point behind Oban Camanachd and two behind Lovat, with a seven-point gap to Kyles Athletic in seventh place.
Reid hopes he can still do Scotland job when internationals restart
After being the manager of the Scotland Under-21 team, Reid was promoted to take charge of the full international side, managing them to wins over Ireland in Inverness in 2018 and Dublin the following year.
There have been no internationals since the pandemic, but Garry commented: “I’d like to think I could continue in the Scotland job while with Caberfeidh.
“I had envisaged one more year before Covid-19 struck, so we’ll see what happens.”
Shiel hope to appoint their new boss next week
Meanwhile, 2021 Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup winners Kinlochshiel are closing in on a managerial appointment which is set to be made next week.
Johnston Gill, who is moving to live in Inverness, has stepped down after sterling service, and the Wester Ross men are keen to finalise a replacement.
Kinlochshiel director Duncan Macleod revealed: “We have received one application for the job, but the deadline is not until Saturday, so we’ll see what happens.
“Hopefully, we can make a decision next week.”
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