The girls’ and women’s grassroots football game in Scotland has been handed a significant boost thanks to a new deal between the Scottish FA and SPAR.
The two-year partnership will see Scotland’s leading convenience store group extend their existing deal with the Scottish FA to support girls’ and women’s grassroots football across the nation.
Earlier this year SPAR committed to supporting the Scotland Women’s National Team ahead of their historic inaugural appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which saw Shelley Kerr’s team narrowly miss out on qualification for the knockout stages. SPAR’s commitment to supporting girls’ and women’s grassroots will see them act as title sponsor of a brand new schoolgirls’ cup competition, Future Stars SPAR Football Cup.
The introduction of the new cup competition is designed to encourage young girls to participate in the sport and build on the positive momentum in girls’ and women’s football generated in recent years by the success of the Scotland Women’s National Team.
Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell welcomed the extension of the partnership. “The girls’ and women’s game in Scotland has gone through unprecedented growth in recent years, largely inspired by the success of the Scotland Women’s National Team in qualifying for back-to-back major tournaments. “Interest in the girls’ and women’s game has never been higher and we are delighted that SPAR recognise the opportunity that presents.
“By extending their support to include grassroots football SPAR will work with us to increase the number of young girls across the nation participating in the beautiful game.
“We are very grateful to SPAR for their commitment and look forward to inspiring a generation of young girls to love football with their support.” Colin McLean, CEO of SPAR Scotland, said:
“SPAR Scotland is thrilled to act as headline sponsor of Future Stars SPAR Football Cup for the next two years.
“Following the hugely successful launch of our sponsorship of the Scotland Women’s National Team earlier this year, this second partnership with the Scottish FA gives us the opportunity to run a grassroots programme with teenage girls in secondary schools across Scotland.
“SPAR is passionate about sport and encouraging healthier lifestyles for young people. We are delighted to be supporting this programme which is specifically aimed at girls aged between 12-16 years of age.
“This partnership is a perfect fit for SPAR Scotland and we look forward to encouraging girls to participate in local team football games. Hopefully we will see a future star in Scottish women’s football shine through.”
