Tag: Scottish Women’s Football

New plan to grow women’s and girls’ football in Scotland

Project 2035 to create new opportunities, backed by £250,000 this year

More girls and women across Scotland will have opportunities to play, coach, officiate and lead in football under a new long-term plan to grow the game. 

Project 2035, supported by £250,000 of Scottish Government investment this year, aims to increase participation, strengthen pathways into the game and establish Scotland as a leading nation for women’s football by 2035. 

A new Girls’ and Women’s Football Taskforce will oversee delivery of Project 2035 over the next decade. This will bring together the Scottish Government, Scottish Women’s Football, the Scottish Football Association, the Scottish Women’s Premier League, the Professional Footballers’ Association Scotland, sportscotland and COSLA.  

First Minister John Swinney said: “Football has the power to bring communities together, improve health and wellbeing, and inspire young people to achieve their potential. 

“Project 2035 is about building the momentum we have seen in recent years in women’s and girls’ football and creating even more opportunities across Scotland. 

“Our ambition is simple: every girl in Scotland who wants to be part of football should have the opportunity to do so, whether as a player, coach, official, volunteer, supporter or leader. 

“By working together we can help Scotland become a leading nation for women’s football.” 

Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell said: “Today’s announcement is fantastic news for the future of the Girls’ and Women’s game in Scotland.

“Project 35 will play a pivotal role in supporting the sustainable growth of our game over the next decade to ensure every girl and woman in Scotland has the opportunity to be involved in football in whatever capacity they choose.

“On the pitch and beyond, our commitment is stronger than ever to grow the game in an equitable and sustainable way. The newly created Scottish Girls’ and Women’s Football Taskforce will provide an important focal point as we strive to achieve our collective ambitions for the game.”

Scottish Women’s Football Chief Executive Aileen Campbell said: “At Scottish Women’s Football we experience firsthand the incredible growth in participation of girls playing grassroots football, but we know challenges remain and more work needs to be done.

“That’s why this Scottish Government-led taskforce will be a gamechanger – harnessing passion and momentum to pull partners together, support volunteers and give every girl who wants to the opportunity to play the game they love.”

Scottish Women’s Premier League Managing Director Fiona McIntyre said: “Project 2035 will transform women’s football into an integral part of Scottish society, driving record attendances, expanding professional opportunities for girls and women, and unlocking sustained investment across the game to accelerate long-term growth and success.”

ScottishPower illuminates Edinburgh Castle to mark extension of support for Women’s Football in Scotland

Edinburgh Castle became a shining tribute to Scotland’s female footballers on Saturday night, with striking images of players of all ages and stages projected onto the iconic landmark to mark ScottishPower signing up to support the women’s game for another three years.

From the Castle Esplanade, players, coaches and parents gathered at dusk as the historic fortress was illuminated with projected footage showcasing the journeys of young players developing into emerging professionals alongside existing stars and professional players, bringing to life what is increasingly possible through ScottishPower’s continued support.

The projection marks the extension of ScottishPower’s exclusive Principal Partnership with Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) and the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL), first announced back in 2023 as the biggest single investment in Scottish women’s football.

The leading green energy company also confirmed it will continue to sponsor the Scottish Youth Challenge Cups at all three age groups, SWF’s National & Regional league cups and is again backing the fast-growing Scottish Women’s Highlands and Islands League and Cup.

Over the next three years, ScottishPower will continue to actively support both the SWF and the SWPL as they accelerate the growth of the women’s game, all the way from grassroots to elite up and down the country.

Keith Anderson, ScottishPower Chief Executive, said: “At ScottishPower, we’re committed to equality of opportunity, and over the past three years our partnership with Scottish Women’s Football and the Scottish Women’s Premier League has shown just how powerful the right support can be for girls and women across Scotland.

“We’re proud to back the elite end of the game, but just as importantly, to help strengthen the entire pathway – from grassroots and youth football right through to the highest level.

“Together, we’ve focused on making a real, practical impact, from providing kit and boots to girls across the country to supporting development in areas like the Highlands and Islands that can too often be overlooked.

“Renewing our support for another three years is a clear statement of our intent. We’re in this for the long term, committed to building momentum and helping women’s football in Scotland reach its full potential.”

Aileen Campbell, CEO at Scottish Women’s Football, added: “ScottishPower’s continued commitment is a hugely important vote of confidence in the women’s and girls’ game across the country.

“This partnership has already helped us strengthen the foundations of football in communities, supporting participation, improving the player pathway, and creating more opportunities for girls to stay in the sport and progress, whatever their starting point.

“The continuation of support for our National and Regional cups, the Youth Challenge Cups and the Highlands and Islands League and Cup is especially significant, because it reaches players and volunteers at every level. We’re proud of what has been achieved so far, and we’re excited to keep building real momentum over the next three years.”

Fiona McIntyre, Managing Director of Scottish Women’s Premier League, said: “This renewal is a powerful statement about the future of women’s football in Scotland.

“The SWPL has been on a clear journey of growth in standards, visibility and ambition, and having a long-term principal partner like ScottishPower enables our clubs and players to keep driving progress both on and off the pitch.

“Crucially, it also strengthens the connection between the top of the game and the grassroots and youth pathway, ensuring young players across Scotland can see a clear and achievable future in football.

“We’re immensely grateful for ScottishPower’s continued belief in what women’s football can become and the positive impact it can have on communities nationwide.”

ScottishPower is at the heart of communities across the country, whether it’s through the thousands of green jobs being created, the renewable power it generates or the secure, stable electricity it supplies –keeping the lights on from power to plug.

This landmark football partnership aligns with parent company, Iberdrola, which has been promoting equality through sport since 2016, through competitions and federations in Spain and Brazil.

Outside the UK, it supports more than 100 competitions, 32 of them as Iberdrola leagues, reaching an estimated 600,000 female athletes.