We are delighted to announce that Taylor and Fraser has agreed a three-year deal with Glasgow Mid Argyll Shinty Club to sponsor their men’s first and second teams. Angus MacInnes, Construction Director at Taylor and Fraser is the club’s current President and is particularly pleased the business is supporting shinty in Scotland.
The sponsorship further cements Taylor and Fraser’s commitment to supporting communities and grass-roots sport in regions where they operate. And already the team has good news to report; first team player, 16-year-old Zac Menzies, has been selected to represent Scotland Under 17’s in the Tour of Ireland starting this evening (4th August) when Scotland take on Dublin.
The annual tour, which has been taking place for over twenty years, sees the country’s elite shinty players play shinty/hurling challenge matches against their Irish counterparts.
Before he set off on the tour, Zac Menzies answered a few questions about his Scotland selection.
Q: How do you feel about being picked to represent your country?
A: I’m really honoured that they think I’m good enough to be in the team and hope I can repay their faith in me by becoming an asset to the team.
Q: Did you expect to receive the call-up?
A: No. But as a player, it’s always something you hope will happen. There are many good players in Scotland, so competition is tough and I really didn’t expect it, but I’m delighted to be picked.
Q: How do you feel about meeting up with your teammates from all over the country?
A: I’m excited at the prospect. It will be interesting to be playing alongside them as teammates rather than opposition. And playing with the best from each team can only improve my own game.
Q: What does the call-up mean to you?
A: I’m really excited to be part of a squad with so many talented players, and want to do my best I can for my teammates and the Scotland team. It’s an enormous privilege.
Q: What are you looking forward to most?
A: To be able to have the opportunity to play for my Country in these venues in Ireland against really strong hurling clubs.
Q: How do you feel about achieving so much at such a young age?
A: I feel really privileged to be picked for the team and thankful to all the coaches who have helped me along the way, especially GMA coaches and players past and present who have encouraged and helped me playing senior shinty.
Q: What has been your proudest or best moment in shinty so far?
A: Being part of the team winning the Balliemore Cup last year was a very proud moment.
Q: What do you enjoy about the sport, and what sets it apart from other, more mainstream sports?
A: I enjoy the physicality and competitiveness which drives the game to such a high level. Shinty brings people together on and off the pitch. We can be enemies in the game, but the best of friends immediately after.
Q: Does your family have connections with the game?
A: My Great Grandad Dowds was a hurling player and then played shinty when he came to Scotland. So, I’m hoping I can make my Irish and Scottish families proud.
We certainly wish Zac and his teammates a successful tour in Ireland, and we look forward to tracking his progress as an international player in the years to come. Well done, Zac, it is a proud moment for you and Glasgow Mid Argyll Shinty Club.