Page 10 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.34 2022-23

Rangers Football Club have confirmed that Malky Thomson will leave his role as women’s Head
Coach following Sunday’s Scottish Cup Final and return to his position within the club’s Academy.
Malky Thomson has overseen many historic achievements in the team’s journey as Rangers
transitioned to being Scotland’s first full time professional women’s set up, which is fully
integrated at the training ground.
He was responsible for the club’s first ever SWPL league title in the 2021-22 season,
completing the league season undefeated. He followed this by winning the club’s first Sky Sports
Cup earlier this season at Tynecastle, beating Hibernian in the Final. Rangers’ attempts to retain
their title meanwhile fell just short at the final hurdle, an injury time goal condemning them to a
narrow 1-0 defeat and third place whereas a victory would have confirmed them as Champions
once again.
Thomson also led Rangers in their first UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign,
winning the initial group stage against the champions of Hungary and Greece, before only losing
out by one goal in extra time to an excellent Benfica side to just miss out on the group stages.
Thomson will oversee his team’s preparations this week as normal as they attempt to win their
first ever Scottish Cup in the Final against Celtic at Hampden Park.

Global Sports brand PUMA is delighted to announce a new partnership with the Scottish
Professional Football League (SPFL) and the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) as the
official match-ball provider from season 2023-24. The new partnership is a multi-year deal and
will commence at the start of the 2023-24 season.
As well as being a landmark new deal for the SPFL, this marks an exciting milestone for the
SWPL as it welcomes its first ever bespoke match ball, exclusively designed to be used throughout
the hotly anticipated 2023-24 season.
The Orbita ball, incorporating the latest technology developed by PUMA, features unique
colourways inspired by the SPFL and SWPL logos. Crafted with 12 symmetrical panels and
contours between panels fine-tuned to form deeper channels, the Orbita promises excellent
aerodynamic performance on the pitch.
The SPFL and SWPL join a prestigious list of leagues alongside La Liga, Serie A and EFL, in
which PUMA are the official match ball provider. The SWPL will be PUMA’s first ever bespoke ball
used in a women’s football league.
The bespoke SWPL match-ball will officially debut at the start of the SWPL and SWPL 2
seasons, which commence on 13th August. The new match ball will also be used across the Sky
Sports Cup competition, which commences on 3rd September.
Bas van den Bemt, PUMA UKI General Manager, said: "We are pleased to be entering this new
chapter with the SPFL and SWPL. This partnership underscores PUMA's commitment to
supporting and promoting football across the game. With the introduction of the Orbita ball, we're
bringing together PUMA’s deep love for the game with innovative design and top-tier technology.
We're looking forward to seeing the Orbita in action and contributing to an exciting season ahead."
SPFL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster added: "This is a significant and exciting partnership for
the SPFL and SWPL as we join forces together with PUMA, a brand renowned for its excellence
and innovation in sports. This new partnership will provide our clubs with a match-ball of the
highest quality, and also provides the League with additional value and promotional opportunities.
We eagerly anticipate the start of the next season, showcasing the best of Scottish football with the
support of PUMA.”
Fiona McIntyre, SWPL Managing Director, said: “We are absolutely delighted, and hugely
excited, to partner with PUMA, a brand recognised across the world. Their values include being
brave and confident which align perfectly with our own ambitions at the SWPL. I am delighted
that we will have our own bespoke match-ball for the first time ever – it looks incredible and is
another important milestone for the women’s game as we strive to professionalise the SWPL and
engage new audiences.”
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk