Lochaber sports review of 2021 – July to December

Lesley McKerracherUpdated: 06/01/22, 9:35 am

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JULY

Inverlochy mountain biker Archie Ferguson topped the podium at a Scottish Downhill Association (SDA) race at the first time of asking. Archie took the top spot in the juvenile section of the SDA event at Glencoe. Photograph: Mikie Palmer. NO_F28_ArchieFergusonGlencoe1

Archie Ferguson took the top spot in the juvenile section of the SDA event at Glencoe. Photograph: Mikie Palmer.
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The goal of opening up Kinlochleven’s Island Park for sports and community events moved a few steps closer to target thanks to the fundraising efforts of village footballers. The teams took part in the charity match in their favourite team colours. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos. NO_T28_KL Celtic v Rangers 03

The teams who took part in the charity match. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos.
NO_T28_KL Celtic v Rangers 03

AUGUST

The Highland League ordered Fort William FC to play all its league and cup games away from home after the condition of the pitch came under scrutiny. It triggered a major response from members and supporters of the club. Some of the team which worked to restore Claggan Park. – front from left are Mark Rydings and David MacDonald. Back row from left are Peter Murphy, Olly Stephen, Mark Gillespie and Iain MacKay. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos NO F32 Save Claggan Park 02

Some of the team which is working to restore Claggan Park, at the ground on Monday night - front from left are Mark Rydings and David MacDonald. Back row from left are Peter Murphy, Olly Stephen, Mark Gillespie and Iain MacKay. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos NO F32 Save Claggan Park 02 — Some of the team which is working to restore Claggan Park, at the ground on Monday night – front from left are Mark Rydings and David MacDonald. Back row from left are Peter Murphy, Olly Stephen, Mark Gillespie and Iain MacKay. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos
NO F32 Save Claggan Park 02

SEPTEMBER

Members of the Lochaber Phoenix Boxing Club had fun celebrating International Boxing Day. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos NO F36 Boxing Day 01

Young Lochaber Athletics Club runner Maddison MacMillan put in a stellar performance in her appearance in a national Scottish track and field meeting. NO F37 Maddison

Lochaber Athletics Club's Maddison MacMillan in action. NO F37 Maddison — Lochaber Athletics Club’s Maddison MacMillan in action.
NO F37 Maddison

OCTOBER

David Langan, left, of Langan and Smith which sponsored the Lochaber Camanachd second team strips, and second team coach Donnie MacRae, presented Seonaidh MacDonald, right, with the Player of the Year trophy after a meal in Spice Tandoori, Fort William. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos. NO_F42_Lochaber Camanachd 2nd team POY

Seonaidh MacDonald with the Player of the Year trophy. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos.
NO_F42_Lochaber Camanachd 2nd team POY

Mallaig endurance athlete Pawel Cymbalista reached the dizzying heights on Ben Nevis seven times last weekend, breaking a 15-year-old record. Previous record maker Charlie Anderson, left, who made the ascent/descent in 24 hours 15 years ago not only congratulated Pawel on his return, but spent much of the night on the hill helping him stay safe. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos.

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Previous record maker Charlie Anderson, left, who made the ascent/descent in 24 hours 15 years ago not only congratulated Pawel on his return, but spent much of the night on the hill helping him stay safe. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos.
NO_F42_PawelCymbalista_BenNevis02

NOVEMBER

Lochaber’s Katie Dougan, pictured here in action as the Scotland squad warms up before a Women’s Six Nations tie last year between Scotland and France at Scotstoun Stadium, in Glasgow, told the Lochaber Times of her hopes to add to her 14 caps with a few more in next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand.Photograph: Bill Murray / SNS Group. NO F43 Katie Dougan

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – OCTOBER 25: The Scotland squad warming up before a Women’s Six Nations tie between Scotland and France at Scotstoun Stadium, on October 25, 2020, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Bill Murray / SNS Group)

Former Scottish footballer John Collins made climbing Ben Nevis his goal to help raise funds to get an injured player from his home town club in the Scottish Borders back on the field. Ex-Hibernian and Celtic midfielder John, left, and his brother, Norrie, at the start of their climb. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos. NO_F47_Collins-Ben-climb-01-2wwyu4rzr-scaled.jpg

John, left, and Norrie Collins at the start of their climb. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos.
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DECEMBER

A nine-year-old shinty fan from Fort William has been swinging his way to stardom on the national golf circuit. Junior Champion golfer Harry Stewart with his collection of trophies. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos. NO_F49_Harry Stewart golfer 03

Junior Champion golfer Harry Stewart with his collection of trophies. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos.
NO_F49_Harry Stewart golfer 03

Fort William FC announced the appointment of new manager Shadab Iftikhar, a former Mongolia assistant who holds a UEFA A Licence coaching qualification and worked as an opposition scout for Roberto Martinez during Belgium’s Euro 2020 campaign.

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