Page 3 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.22 2021-22

SWPL clubs to join up with SPFL

A majority of the 17 Scottish Women’s Premier
League [SWPL] clubs have now confirmed that they
are supportive of elite women’s football becoming the
responsibility of the Scottish Professional Football
League from season 2022-23.
From this summer, clubs will be invited to
become members of a new two-tier league
competition, with the SPFL also running a new
League Cup at the dawn of a new era for the women’s
game in Scotland.
The announcement comes after months of
talks between clubs, the Scottish FA, SPFL and
Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) about how to best
to build upon the progress that the Scottish women’s
game has made in recent years. Glasgow City in action against Celtic in the SWPL
Women’s football has grown exponentially in (Colin Poultney/collargeimages.co.uk).
recent years, with UEFA on course to double the
number of women and girls participating across Europe by 2024, whilst significantly
increasing sponsorship revenue, television viewing figures and club competition prize
money at the elite end.
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: “The Scottish FA recently published its
bespoke women’s football strategy, Accelerate Our Game, and a key pillar of that plan is to
take our elite clubs and competitions to the next level. To achieve that we need to optimise
the game’s governance and structures and the work undertaken by the Scottish FA, SPFL
and SWF, and the clubs within the SWPL, has shown the collective desire to take the game
forward.
“With Hampden Park the new home of the Scotland Women’s National Team, and
the team playing in front of record crowds, I am delighted that the various constituent parts
of the game have come together to agree on a positive route forward for elite women’s
football.”
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “Everyone at the SPFL is hugely excited by
the prospect of working closely with the SWPL clubs to help increase the competitiveness,
profile and income of elite women’s football in Scotland.
“I have been struck by the ambition of all clubs involved to drive up standards, take
the game to the next level and increase participation across the sport.
“It is clear to see the many benefits that increased professionalism has brought to
women’s football across the world. We believe we are well-placed to add significant value to
the game in Scotland in both a sporting and commercial sense.
“Lastly, I would like to send my thanks to everyone at SWF, which deserves huge
credit for the way it has progressed the women’s professional game in Scotland in recent
times.”
Scottish Women’s Football chief executive Aileen Campbell said: “SWF is committed
to driving the women's and girls' game in Scotland. We are therefore determined to do
everything we can to support the elite game as it transitions to the SPFL.
“Football can be a huge force for good and we want to maximise its potential to drive
positive change across our sport and society. We need to shine a spotlight on player
wellbeing, to push for structural change and equality in boardrooms, and to prioritise a
respect agenda. SWF stands ready and enthused to support the Scottish football family on
that journey.”
Issue no. 22 - 17 February 2022 womenssoccerscene@mail.com