19 June 2023 , 06:00
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Women’s football in Scotland is set for its biggest shake-up to date, with the Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) and the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) agreeing a landmark six-figure partnership deal that will represent the largest single investment in the history of the nation’s women’s game.
A new three-year partnership between Scottish Power and both the SWF and the SWPL will see the green energy become the leagues’ exclusive principal partner.
The six-figure investment is the first of its kind in Scotland and is dedicated to the development of women’s football in the country, from grassroots to the elite levels. The renewable energy company will also sponsor the Scottish Youth Challenge Cups at all three age groups as well as the Scottish Women’s Highlands and Islands League.
Fiona McIntyre, Managing Director of the SWPL, hailed the partnership as a “triumph” and emphasised the ripe opportunity to push the boundaries within women’s football: “We’ve just enjoyed one of the most dramatic and entertaining league finishes ever, with bumper crowds and interest in the women’s game at an all-time high,” McIntyre said.
“There is an incredible opportunity now to build on that and inspire both current and future generations through this exclusive new partnership that’s importantly 100% committed to the women’s game in Scotland.”
The announcement arrives at a time when investment in women’s football has grown across the globe. The Women's Super League, which currently operates within the Football Association, has reportedly been exploring the procurement of outside investment to capitalise on the rapid growth of the women’s game.
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Women’s football in Scotland has grown at red-hot pace in recent years, with the national team qualifying for historic berths at Euro2017 and the 2019 World Cup and record crowds clocked across the game, including a record 9,553 crowd in attendance to watch league leaders Glasgow City fall to a 3-1 defeat at Celtic in May amid this season’s thrilling title race.
Footballer Martha Wright, aged 6, who plays for St Cadocs Under-7s at the launch event of a new partnership to celebrate ScottishPower’s commitment to promoting equality through women in sport, at Whitelee Windfarm near Glasgow. (Jane Barlow/PA Wire)Last season saw the women’s top-flight played under the Scottish Premier Football League’s umbrella for the first time, with a new 12-team division and cup format implemented to maximise enthusiasm around the game.
Scotland also saw two representatives in last season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League due to an impressive European coefficient ranking of 13, though neither Rangers or Glasgow City made it through to the tournament’s group stages.
Building on the success of last season is paramount to Scotland’s bid to cut itself a competitive and alluring destination for outside and internal talent while continuing to qualify for major tournaments. Scotland failed to qualify for this summer’s Women’s World Cup in a heartbreak qualifying play-off final against Ireland.
Aileen Campbell, CEO of Scottish Women’s Football, emphasised the opportunity ahead: “As the game continues to grow and develop, having Scottish Power’s investment offers us even more opportunities for women and girls across the country to help us build the game from the grassroots up.
“The Scottish Youth Challenge Cup is our biggest competition, involving hundreds of teams from across the country at 14s, 16s and 18s, while this partnership will provide unprecedented support and visibility to our Highlands and Islands league.”