Gaelic and football united - Thig còmhla rinn!

Football, language and a shared Celtic heritage will be the focus of a special sporting celebration in Inverness this Saturday (21 June).

Alba FA is a football team established to use the game as a force to connect, inspire and grow Scottish Gaelic through community activity, both nationally and internationally.

This Saturday Alba welcome Kernow FA, who represent Cornwall, for a ‘Celtic Nations’ clash at Canal Park.

As well as the football match, the day includes a Gaelic medium football session (12 noon-1.30pm) for boys and girls, where all participants will receive free access to the main match.

A pre-match gathering will begin with a pipe band and Highland dance performance followed by team warm-ups and national anthems prior to the 3pm kick-off.

Driving the idea to create a Scottish national football team made up entirely of Gaelic speakers is Calum Ferguson, a former professional who played for Inverness Caley Thistle.

He is a former pupil of Central Primary in Inverness, which 40 years ago was the first school in the Highlands to offer Gaelic medium education.

He said: “You don’t have to be a Gaelic speaker or learner to come along, it’s just a celebration of football and what it can do.

“This is a new footballing development and we’re trying to do our bit to support the language and Gaelic culture.

“Above all else we want to preserve the language and pass it on to future generations.

“Football is a great vehicle to champion that cause and bring people together.

“Thig còmhla rinn – join us!"

In recent years Calum has been heavily involved in promoting the Gaelic language through football.

He helped to found FC Sonas, a Gaelic community football club, which delivers football sessions to youngsters.

Highland Council is supporting Saturday’s events. Efforts to broaden Gaelic language opportunities for young people outside of a school setting is a key strand in the council’s Gaelic language plan.

Calum was one of the guest speakers at Highland Council’s recent Gaelic conference which examined the economic, social and cultural opportunities that the language can offer for the region.

Full details of Saturday's event can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/alba-fa-vs-kernow-fa-tickets-1390581589969?aff=oddtdtcreator

Alba Squad list

• Michael MacÌomhair (MacVicar)
• Harry MacNeacail (Nicolson)
• Calum MacIllinnein (MacLennan)
• Uilleam MacFhionghan (MacKinnon)
• Domhnall Mhoireasdan (Morrison)
• Niall Mac a’Phì (MacPhee)
• Gilleasbuig Mac’Phiocair (MacVicar)
• Jonathon Peutan (Beaton)
• Dòmhnall MacEanraig (Henderson)
• Padraig Mac Ille Mhaoil (MacMillian)
• Ross MacDhòmhnaill (MacDonald)
• Alex John Moireasdan (Morrison)
• Angus John Moireach (Murray)
• Daniel Moran
• Gillies O’hAnluain (O'Hanlon)
• Euan MacAnndra (Anderson)
• David MacAnndra (Anderson)
• Sam MacAoidh (MacKay)
• Luke MacAoidh (MacKay)
• Calum Frame
• Calum MacFhearghais⁠ (Ferguson)

Caption: Alba FA members Innes Scullion centre, Calum Ferguson left, Harry Nicolson right. Photo, Dylan Lawrence.