This years Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week focuses on inclusivity, where organisations and projects across the country are providing opportunities for all to participate, as well as removing barriers which discourage women and girls from participating in sport and physical activity.
The SPAR Future Stars Football Cup is a nationwide Girls Football competition stretching across all six Scottish FA Regions. Delivered in partnership with the Scottish FA, the Future Stars Tournament is sponsored by SPAR Scotland and is designed to support women and girls’ grassroots football.
This is an opportunity for girls aged 12-16 years to participate in a competitive, fun and inclusive competition for their school and build on the positive momentum in women’s football generated by the success of the Scotland Women’s National Team.
The competition includes two age group sections; S1/2 and S3/4. Schools are invited to register for their local rounds.Each local authority in the mainland North has a ‘Local Round’ with the top 2 in each age group qualifying for the Regional Finals Day. From there, 3 teams qualify for the National Finals Day. Schools like Lossie High, Elgin High, Elgin Academy, and Forres Academy have signed up for the event with more schools expected to follow suit.
Chair of Moray Council’s Education, Children’s Services and Leisure Committee, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said:
“This is a great opportunity to celebrate Moray’s women and girls in sport. Research suggests that physical activity is an effective tool for reducing the symptoms of stress and depression among women and girl and there are lots of activities and programmes on offer across Moray for women and girls to try out.
“The Council’s Active Schools team and partners can help girls increase their confidence so they feel empowered to try out a new sport or set something up in their community.”
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said: “Women and Girls in Sport Week is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the great work being delivered across the sporting system to encourage more women and girls to become physically active.
“This year has seen phenomenal performances from female athletes on the world stage, creating some incredible role models for young women and girls. But we know that there are equally inspirational role models in communities right across Scotland who work so hard to create opportunities for women and girls to find their own journey in sport, this week provides a great opportunity to celebrate their vital contribution.”
Richard Lochhead MSP for Moray, attended Lossiemouth High School as part of Women and Girls in Sport week and met the people behind the projects which encourage more women and girls to engage in sport and physical activity. The Minister also met representatives from sportscotland, Moray Council’s Active Schools team, the Scottish FA and Elgin City Football Club.
The growth of women’s football in the north is a by-product of how the sport is continuing to gain traction around the world. This season, there are 19 senior women’s teams in the north, north-east and Highlands and Islands, spread widely across the entire geography, with teams from Orkney to Stonehaven. Those numbers have increased from 16 over the last few months following the establishment of new teams – Inverurie Locos, Huntly, Elgin City and Dyce, who all have the backing of a men’s team.
