Historic competition at risk due to lack of volunteers

The Shetland Junior Inter County Association is warning that the historic competition could end if more volunteers do not come forward.

The competition dates back to 1947 and sees more than 150 under-18 competitors from Shetland and Orkney pitting their wits against one another in athletics, football, hockey, netball and swimming every summer.

In June last year Shetland went down by 207 points to 184 in Kirkwall. It was only the second time Orkney had won the Stuart Cup since 1994.

Shetland’s organisational team consists of a representative from each of the five sports, along with a chairperson, secretary and treasurer. The latter two positions are vacant following a poorly-attended recent AGM.

The association says the vacant positions are “crucial” to ensure the hosting of the 2013 competition can go ahead.

Association chairwoman Rhoda Polson said: “The competition between the two islands remains one of the highlights of the junior sporting calendar but the committee struggles to find volunteers for the positions necessary to continue the organisation of the competition.

“The vacant positions are crucial to the hosting of the 2013 competition and full support will be offered to anyone who can put themselves forward for these roles.

“It has been a struggle in the past to recruit and the association has been existing on goodwill. However with the outgoing secretary having committed to an extended period of study and the outgoing treasurer having attempted to stand down for several years, we have reached crunch time.

“I would like to take this opportunity to ask supporters of the county and past competitors who have enjoyed being part of the team to come to an EGM and offer what help they can to the committee.”

The EGM is to be held in Islesburgh Community Centre on Monday 4th March at 7pm.