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A TEENAGE girl has made sporting history as the first female to play in a senior men’s shinty team at Premier League level.

Zoe Smith,16, came to the rescue when Fort William’s first team was short of players last Saturday.

The talented young star, who plays for Lochaber Ladies, Fort William Under-17s and the town’s men’s second team, was drafted on to the subs bench for the first team’s hour of need.

But early in the game against Glenurquhart a player was injured so Zoe took her place on the field for 40 minutes.

Zoe has shinty in her blood as both her grandfathers John Victor Smith and Jack Buchanan were well-known players.

And a medal named in honour of her great grandfather Albert Smith is given to the Man of the Match at the sport’s top game, the Camanachd Cup final.

Zoe’s dad Victor is co-manager of Fort William’s first team.

He said: “I asked her if she would go in the first team and she said, no worries. She is very good, but there are lots and lots of girls playing shinty who are superb now.”

The obvious danger of shinty don’t wory Zoe.

She said: “I have a helmet and shin guards to protect me, so I just go in swinging.

“It is really different with men, instead of females.

“I have played about five games for the second team, but it is quite a big step to the first team, I really enjoyed it and would do it again any time.”

Zoe, who also plays football and is a keen gymnast, hopes to study sport science l and to have a career in sport.

She is now helping to train a new Fort William ladies team and added: “Everybody says I was born with a shinty stick in my hand.”