Stronsay’s “massive” effort by young students

Folk from Stronsay have affectionately tagged their island as “massive” - something which its young students have taken quite literally when it comes to the effort in getting to training and events on the Mainland.  

Children and young people from the Outer Isles need plenty of dedication and resilience if they want to enjoy the benefits of wider after-school activities and join in tournaments against other schools.  

Stronsay parent and netball coach, Naomi Bremner, has made a short reel of the journey some of the island’s pupils make to take part in the primary schools’ winter netball league and P4/5 and Peedie Schools’ competitions at the Pickaquoy Centre on Saturdays.  

She explains here: “Stronsay has been fielding teams in the primary netball leagues for a number of years. We often have to count on every member of the year groups to have the numbers to field a team, and often draw in younger players, but the players, probably due to the challenges in just getting there to compete, all play fantastically well together as a team and really enjoy the experiences that they gain.  

“League days are monthly on a Saturday throughout winter, and we usually have a long 3-hour journey on the ferry into Kirkwall in the morning, a quick dash to Picky for 3+ hours of play against all the other Mainland primary schools, and then a dash back to the ferry to make the journey home. In January to March, we don’t however get a return ferry on a Saturday, so we have to rush to secure the entire planes’ worth of seats so we can make a return trip.  

“This is all only possible because of the dedication of the players – we train weekly in the small school hall with little numbers, but we have a lot of fun! We get incredible support from Netball Orkney and their volunteers who manage fixtures to make sure we can squeeze our matches in between ferry or plane times, and then the other teams are fantastic and help out covering umpiring duties etc. if we’ve had to nip away for a ferry or plane. And then the Grannies and Grandad’s and Aunties and Uncles in the town often help us out with our mad dash to the pier and are our fantastic cheerleaders on Saturdays from the balcony.  

“The school-based netball platform is so important for developing players, and senior squads often have players from the isles and other peedie schools enabled by opportunities that the kids have had through the primary leagues. One of our pupils, Dorothy,,helps out with our primary league teams and is a member of the U17 Orkney squad for example having taken part in the primary school league for Stronsay.”  

This participation does not come without its challenges, Naomi points out.  

“It’s all a logistical challenge, and it can be expensive for families with the extra cost of ferries and planes. The Scottish Government have recently announced that they are considering providing free foot fares to under 22s on inter-island ferries (in keeping with free travel on buses), and our team have recently written to Orkney’s MSP, Liam McArthur, on this topic. They are asking for his support in ensuring this extension is made for our young people in the isles, and that this also includes the inter-island air services for those islands (like Stronsay, and our neighbours on North Ron, Papay, Sanday, Eday and Westray) that rely on them to access sporting and other social opportunities that young people in Mainland areas are able to take access (by bus) for granted. 

Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer, said: “Orkney will be on the sporting map come 2025 as we play host to the International Island Games. It’s the effort and dedication that is shown from an early age from all our communities that will play a part in its success. 

“Our children and young people are only able to flourish thanks to the additional effort by coaches, volunteers and family members. Well done Stronsay – definitely a “massive” island in terms of overcoming a challenge!”