Lochgelly High may be stripped of pipe band world title | Central Fife Times

Oct 22, 2024

LOCHGELLY High School Junior Pipe Band could lose their Novice Juvenile Band World Championship after the organisers admitted to a mistake.

They were awarded the title on Saturday but the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) have now said that due to an "administrative and inputting error", the results read out at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow were wrong.

In a statement, the RSPBA said: "We regret to inform all bands, competitors, stakeholders, and fans that an administrative and inputting error was identified in the final placing results of the Novice Juvenile Grade B contest at the World Pipe Band Championships held on August 17.

"Following a review of the placings data, it became clear that the results were not accurately administered leading to a most regrettable situation where the incorrect results for this grade were announced.

"We are taking this matter extremely seriously and we have taken the time since last Saturday evening to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the error and to review all of the results for all grades for the championship.

"The only anomaly in the administration of the results relates to the NJB grade but naturally, it was incumbent on us to review each of the summaries from each of the respective grades which is why there has been a delay in publishing the complete summaries on our website.

"The root cause of the error has been identified as facilitating a late notice change to the order of play for the NJB final and failing to ensure that all of the relevant documentation was updated to reflect this change.

"We can advise that steps have been taken to ensure that there can be no repeat of this situation at future championships.

"Our commitment to fairness, transparency and integrity is paramount, we unreservedly and sincerely apologise for the confusion, hurt and upset that this error has caused."

Following the investigation, the RSPBA have written to each band, inviting them to a meeting where they can explain how this error affected the results of the competition.

Following these talks, the correct results of the NJB Grade will be released. All other summaries will be available online and were thoroughly checked in the investigation.

They continued: "We understand the impact this will have on bands and their members, and we deeply regret that this error occurred. We will be putting in every effort to engage with the bands in an effort to make good on the error that took place for this grade.

"Thank you for your understanding and continued support."

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