Page 15 - Women's Soccer Scene 2020/21 Issue 1

Following the Scottish Government’s announcement on 7th October and the Scottish FA
Joint Response Group’s update on 8th October, the two top divisions in Scotland will be
starting their season this coming weekend.
SWPL 1 and SWPL 2 are exempt from the new restrictions as they fall under the
category of professional sport as designated by the Scottish Government. All clubs within
these leagues are permitted to train and play in line with existing Return to Play protocols.
However, games must remain as local as possible. This has no impact on SWPL 1 but
SWPL 2 fixtures have been adapted in the following ways, as approved by the League
Management Committee.
The SWPL 1 and SWPL 2 seasons will be restarted after being halted after just one
round of fixtures back in March. A condensed League Cup competition will take place in
May/June but restrictions within the calendar, and the desire to build in contingencies, mean
that there will not be a Scottish Cup competition in the 2020-21 season.
The Highlands and Islands League has been a part of the ‘Regional Pathway’ since its
creation in 2019. The clubs within this league have opted to continue to playing friendlies
where possible without a set fixture list.
The SHAAP National Performance League clubs return to action on Saturday 31st
October (previously scheduled for Saturday 24th October) as part of a localised games
programme. Both the U15’s and U19’s will play in localised leagues and have fixtures up until
December.
As this is a games programme, no results or league tables will be publicly displayed and
no winners will be declared. There is also the opportunity for more flexible rules and formats
to be used during this period.
This games programme will safely provide a competitive environment for these players
before returning to the previous SHAAP National Performance League format for 2021,
subject to approval of the Strong Quality Growth Committee and current Government
guidelines.

Tel: (0117) 9694544 Julian Barker
E-Mail: news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk David Potham
Website: Will Cheshire
www.WomensSoccerScene.co.uk Steve Gaunt/Touchlinepics.com
Twitter:
@wssmagnews Winners of the 2006
FA National Media Award
Editors:
Neil Brown Views expressed in articles in this magazine are
Mark Brown those of the subject and not necessarily those of
Contributors: Women’s Soccer Scene and its staff.
James Prickett (www.jamesprickett.co.uk)
Patrick Higgins Issue no. 783
Front cover photo: AFC Bournemouth’s Maisy Smith slides in to tackle Kim Whitcombe
of Moneyfields during their Vitality Women’s FA Cup First Round Qualifying tie (www.jamesprickett.co.uk).
Issue no. 1 - 15 October 2020 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk