Why you need to follow Scottish women’s football

 

Women’s football has arrived.

With attendances on the rise and games being shown live on TV, now is the perfect time to start following one of Scotland’s fastest growing sports.

Ahead of the new season getting underway in March, I’ve compiled a list of reasons why there’s never been a better time to get into women’s football.

Us Scots are a Force to be Reckoned With

If I told you the best player in the world was born in Aberdeen you’d be forgiven for thinking I had said Argentina.

But no, as crazy as it may seem to those of us used to watching Scotland’s men consistently fail at the highest level, the best player in the world really is from these shores.

Kim Little – who started her career at Hibs and has since played in America and Australia – was voted BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year last year.

On top of that, both Glasgow City and Hibs have competed in the Champions League in recent seasons, coming up against the likes of Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.

Let that sink in: Hibs are a Champions League team.

It’s Cheap

Who doesn’t love a bargain?

If you’re thinking of heading along to see some of Scotland’s top men’s teams, be prepared to fork over around £30 for a ticket.

But for a mere £45 you can get a season ticket to Glasgow City, and spend an entire year watching a Champions League quality team in person.

It’s Better Than You Thought

It’s time to put aside any preconceptions you might have that women can’t play football.

Anyone who saw Siobhan Hunter’s 40-yard wonder strike in Hibs’ Scottish Cup Final victory over Glasgow City last month will tell you just how high the quality is.

And it’s not just in Scotland that people are starting to take note; attendances are growing all over the place as more and more people realise what they’ve been missing.

Manchester City, for example, saw a 50% increase in their average attendances between 2015 and 2016.

It’s Only Going to Get Bigger

2017 saw the Scottish Women’s Premier League gain its first major sponsor in the Scottish Building Society – and it’s a sign of things to come.

The increased revenue this will provide clubs – coupled with the increased media exposure as a result of BBC Alba showing live matches – will be massive as the game continues to grow.

If further evidence of the trajectory of women’s football is needed, then look no further than the fact that the number of registered female footballers in this country has increased by 260 per cent since 2007.

 

And perhaps most importantly…

It’s Your Best Chance of Seeing Scotland at a Major Tournament

Earlier this year, Scotland’s women took part in their first ever European Championships. Despite missing some key players, they were within a single goal of qualifying from a group involving England, Spain and Portugal.

And the men’s team? Consider yourself lucky if you can even remember the last time they reached a major tournament…