Page 30 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.31 2022-23

“We are delighted Evie has agreed to join us, and her signing again shows the long-
term vision of this great football club.”
Head of women’s football at Manchester United, Polly Bancroft commented: “Evie is
an exciting young player who we are delighted has agreed to join our Manchester United
family. We look forward to integrating her into our match day squad in due course.”

Scotland’s elite youth players in women’s football are being reminded about the adverse
impact of alcohol on their health and ability to compete at the highest level.
To mark the final month of the historic partnership between expert medical group
Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) and Scottish Women’s Football
(SWF), guidance for youth players on the impact of alcohol has being launched via SWF’s
social media channel and will be distributed to clubs.
The weekend saw Rangers U18s lift the 18s National Academy Programme trophy as
teams in the SHAAP-sponsored NAP, which fosters the stars of tomorrow and includes
Scotland’s biggest clubs, kicked off their league cup campaigns in what will be a thrilling
climax to the elite game’s season.
The guidance highlights the impact alcohol has on physical and mental health, from
impairing coordination ability through to fatigue and anxiety, all of which affect players on
and off the pitch. It comes on the back of a survey of youth players which showed that
despite being underage and playing football at an elite level, a sizeable proportion of those
surveyed had tried alcohol. The guidance aims to encourage players who want to excel at
the game to keep away from alcohol because of the negative impacts it has on performance.
Dr Alastair MacGilchrist, Chair of SHAAP, said: “SWF is leading the way on alcohol
sponsorship which is why SHAAP agreed to sponsor the National Academy Programme. As
our partnership draws to a close, this new guidance will better support players in relation
to their decisions on alcohol consumption and has been compiled in response to feedback
which shows just how much alcohol features in the daily lives of youth players, via
marketing and people around them drinking alcohol.”
Vivienne Maclaren, Chair of SWF, added: “Congratulations to Rangers for winning
the 18s NAP league and to Hearts for winning the 16s NAP League. The NAP league cup not
only provides an exciting end to the season for the most talented girls in Scotland, it is also
a great platform for our historic partnership with SHAAP.
“We have a duty of care towards the girls in our game and we should do everything we
can to promote positive and healthy lifestyles. This is why we will not accept sponsorship
from the alcohol industry and is why we are delighted to now be able to provide guidance
to clubs and youth players on the effects of alcohol both on their health and ability to play
football. This is our contribution to reducing alcohol harms but it’s clear that as a society,
Scotland has a long way to go.”
(scotwomensfootball.com)

Gloucestershire League
Bristol Rovers Development kept up the pressure at the top of Division One with a 2-0
victory away to Dursley Town. Gloucester City meanwhile stay on course for a top
three place after beating Bishop's Cleeve 6-0, Chloe Golding netting two of the goals
along with Beth Davies, Rakiya Morgan-King, Kate Ambrey and Kacie Anderson.
Cheltenham Civil Service are one win away from lifting the Division Two title
following their 6-3 victory away to Red Falcon Women. In a well contested game, Jessica
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