Throwers named and ba’s go on display

The throwers of this season’s Ba’ games have been announced.

On Christmas morning, Uppie stalwart Richard Gibson will throw up the 101st Gibson ba’ — made by his nephew Sigurd — to get the boys’ game under way.

At 1 o’clock, Evan Monkman will launch George Drever’s ba’ into the waiting pack, 25 years after winning his own Men’s Ba’.

On New Year’s Day, Adrian Stanger, a staunch Doonie player for many years in the boys’ and men’s games, will throw up the Boys’ Ba’ — made by Danny Bain — and, three hours later, the honour will fall on George Currie to set things in motion for the Men’s Ba’, made by Edgar Gibson. This will also be George’s 25th anniversary since he secured the trophy in 1991.

It is believed that, for the first time, this year’s ba’s have been made using leather from cattle which were born and reared in Orkney, with hides donated by Thorfinn Craigie and Ali Flett.

The four ba’s will be on display in the run up to the games at the following Kirkwall businesses:

• Christmas Day Boys’ Ba’ – Stephen Omand, Victoria Street.
• Christmas Day Men’s Ba’ – Odin Stone, Junction Road.
• New Year’s Day Boys’ Ba’ – Starlings, Albert Street.
• New Year’s Day Men’s Ba’ – Orkney Tech, Victoria Street.