ON THE pitch, it’s a tough, hard-hitting game which, exasperated by Scotland’s poor football results, prompted Billy Connolly to famously suggest should become the national sport instead.

But shinty is now in the grip of bitter internal battle which it’s claimed could threaten the future of the game in areas where years of effort have gone into nurturing its survival.

Caught up in the crossfire are dozens of heartbroken primary school children, lured from other sports by the prospect of competing in a series of key national school competitions – which in some cases their fathers and grandfathers played before them - and who have now suddenly learned they are no longer welcome.

As a result, some are said to be facing the possibility of seeing their small teams disbanded, with dire consequences for senior teams seeking new talent for survival.

The sport at junior level has been plunged into dispute after a controversial decision by the Camanachd Association (CA) Youth Committee to reintroduce a previously relaxed 40-plus year old rule which outlawed teams drawn from schools where the roll exceeds 150 pupils.

It had been shelved to help nurture the sport in areas where small schools traditionally struggle to gather enough young players for a team and enabled them join forces with other schools facing the same predicament.

But while the Camanachd Association claims the decision was taken last August, at least one of the teams, Kilmory and Dunadd, had already played in their opening league match and a recent Mackay Cup fixture – one of the main school competitions - when they were told they were being cast out.

The Kilmory and Dunadd squad is made up of youngsters from Lochgilphead, Glassary and Ardrishaig primary schools, which are within a six miles radius of each other. Because they have a combined roll of 350, the team is barred from competing under the new rule.

Three of the teams affected are based in Argyll and had recently reached the semi-finals of a major competition. It has raised suggestions that the rule has been reinstated in order to prevent further pressure being put on teams from the sport’s northern heartland by southern rivals.

The Inverness-based Camanachd Association has said it understands the frustrations of clubs and plans to continue to work with them to find a solution. However, it is coming under increasing pressure from outraged parents and coaches, who are calling for the decision to be reconsidered.

Kilmory and Dunadd coach Steven Gilmour, whose two sons Ewan, 11, and Craig, 10, play in the squad, said the rule has left youngsters devastated and confused. “It’s not good having to explain to kids why they can’t play shinty any more but that’s what we’re having to do.

“So many Scottish Government initiatives are around getting kids active and reducing childhood obesity, and this rule is actually putting children out of sport.

“It is completely bizarre. This happened with no consultation or communication. We have been told two different dates and two different years for when the decision was made.

“We want answers as to why it has happened.”

Around 120 schoolchildren playing in three Argyll-based teams – Kilmory, Bute and Taynuilt - are affected, while a further Central-based combined schools team is also ruled out from competing.

It is understood the change in rule was rubber-stamped following a number of complaints from schools which felt the rule gave an unfair advantage to teams comprising of players from a number of schools.

The Camanachd Association says it has made an offer to host a tournament for the schools affected, and that teams which fell outside the rule had been allowed to take part in competitions on condition they could not progress further than schools which comply with the rule.

A spokesperson for the Camanachd Association said: “We are committed to developing shinty through the creation of opportunities for players at all levels of the sport.

“Our schools competition rules are designed to ensure a level playing field for all participating schools and players and as a result will significantly benefit all those taking part.

“We understand the frustrations of some clubs and we will continue to work with them, and all member clubs, to create further opportunities through existing competitions and our development programme.”

However Susan Jackson, whose son Nairn, 10, plays for Kilmory and Dunadd, said: “He is completely devastated. The children are thinking ‘what have we done wrong? Why don’t they want us to play?’

“They have put in a lot of work and they love the game. Then to be told they can’t play in these competitions any more has left them really confused.

“It’s sending them the wrong signals. I thought the Camanachd Association’s role was to try to get as many young people into shinty as possible and enjoy it. Eventually it’ll be the death of shinty in Argyll, which would be such a shame.”

Ailsa Crawford, whose son Kian, eight, also plays for the Kilmory and Dunadd team, said: “The clubs affected are all in the south of Scotland. It’s half way through a season, leaving all our kids devastated at the thought of losing their chosen sport.

“It's a very sad day indeed for the children of Argyll and Bute who are simply being punished for what school they go to and where they live.

“The Camanacdh Association need to step up and find a solution to allow all children to compete nationally and stand as one shinty community.”

Another, Alastair Turner, whose son Harry, 10, plays for the team, said: “He loves it.

“It is mind blowing that a minority sport such as shinty is prepared to exclude children from participating in competitive events. They risk losing a generation of players certainly in the Argyll area.”