Page 19 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.15 2022-23

Scottish Women’s Football has received a further boost of £100,000 from an anonymous
benefactor via The Scottish Football Partnership Trust.
The third investment from the donor comes on the 50th anniversary of the establishment
of the Scottish Women’s Football Association, and will further support the continued growth of
the women’s game from the grassroots up. It follows on from a donation for the same amount as
part of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
James Clydesdale, chair of the Scottish Football Partnership Trust who have supported
SWF with grants and sponsorship over the last decade, said: “This is another great boost for
women’s football and recognises the work the SWF does in building participation and coverage of
the game from the grassroots up.
“It is very encouraging that this benefactor is prepared to reinvest in women’s football at a
time when the status and progress of the women’s game is becoming increasingly visible.”
Aileen Campbell, CEO of Scottish Women’s Football said: “We have seen incredible growth
and a fantastic recovery for women’s football since the pandemic, and that has been in no small
part thanks to the generous help from this donor, so it is humbling that they have once again
decided to invest in the growth of the women’s game from that grassroots up, offering more
opportunities for more women and girls to enjoy and succeed in their football.
“Since the last donation we have developed the performance pyramid with a new national
SWF Championship and SWF League One, and are in the process of aligning our regional SWFL
leagues within that structure. That opens up a route for any club in the country with a
commitment to sporting success, providing pathways for youngsters and the wellbeing of their
players to reach the top of their potential.”
Vivienne Maclaren, Chair of SWF, said: “This further donation is hugely positive news for
our clubs across Scotland and is testament to the hard work of SWF staff in developing, running
and promoting a robust pyramid with sporting integrity. While the last donation helped keep
women’s football alive during lockdown, what has happened since has been a period of enormous
change in the game, and thanks to this donation, women’s football can continue to grow right
across the country.”
(scotwomensfootball.com)

January will see the launch of an intense and thrilling short season for new-look Biffa SWFL
regional leagues, to bring them into the Scottish Women’s Football pyramid.
Three regional leagues have become four, with several new teams entering a structure for
the short season which will allow the most ambitious clubs a route to the top of the game in
Scotland.
The half season will run to the summer, allowing the SWFL to align itself with the
performance game and introduce promotion and relegation from the Women’s League One at the
end of the current season.
The four top-placed teams in the four leagues outwith development sides will enter play-
offs to take their place in League One, with the side finishing bottom of League One relegated to
their local regional league.
Commenting ahead of the new season, SWF CEO Aileen Campbell said: “This is such an
exciting time for women’s football. Our game continues to grow and develop, offering up new
opportunities for women and girls across Scotland to be involved.
“The current SWFL began as way to offer regional football in a more relaxed yet structured
format, but in a short period of time has developed into exciting regional competitions in their
own right, lit up by stand-out players. From providing a robust testing ground for big clubs to
develop their talent to an arena where new clubs and talent emerge, the regional leagues have
been rich with stories of communities, sporting glory and overcoming the odds.
“Now, with a league sponsor for the first time, the regional Scottish Women’s Football
Leagues will take their place in a robust pyramid, providing a route for all clubs to reach the top
of the game based on their sporting prowess and their commitment to youth development and the
wellbeing of our players.
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk