Thompsons Scotland sponsor Womens Scottish Premier League
16/08/05
As reported in the Daily Record Thompsons Solicitors, Scotland?s leading personal injury specialists have entered into a groundbreaking sponsorship deal with the Scottish Women?s Premier Football League for the first time in the League's history.
The sponsorship deal was revealed at a news conference at Hampden Park, Glasgow today. It will amongst other things, help support a partnership between the Scottish Football Association and the SWF to assist the development of Scotland?s top women referees.
Announcing details of the new deal Wendy Durie Partner and Accredited Specialist in Personal injury Law of Thompsons Scotland said:
?We represent all of the big trade unions in Scotland. Equality in the workplace is a major issue for them as half the workforce is female. Equality is also becoming a big thing in football so the proposal to back the Women?s Premier League is an excellent choice for us.
?We?re particularly pleased that some of the money will be invested in supporting the development of the new generation of female referees. Scotland already has one trailblazer in Morag Pirie who has officiated as an assistant referee in a European Champions League qualifier.?
Maureen McGonigle of the Scottish Women?s Football Association said:
?We?re absolutely delighted to receive this financial backing for the Women?s game in Scotland. The numbers of girls taking part are increasing and the standard of play gets better every season.
?We also want to improve the opportunities for female referees and this season will be the first that we have used only women referees for all Premier league matches?
Joining the press conference straight from the Commonwealth Games press conference, Rt Hon Jack McConnell MSP, First Minister of Scotland said:
"Football is already the biggest and fastest growing sport for girls and
women in Scotland. This winning deal off the pitch can only help things get
even better on it. I wish everyone involved every success for the coming
season."
Welcoming the announcement, Anna Signeul, coach of the Scotland Women?s team said: ? It?s an exciting time for women?s football and the investment by Thompsons into the Premier League will bring major benefits to the clubs and the players. With the recent European Championship being held on our doorstep, people are now more aware of women?s football and interest in the sport has never been higher.?
National Coach, Walter Smith also added his congratulations adding:? Commercial investment is vital to continue the development of football and the partnership between Thompsons and the SWPL will further the standard of women?s football in Scotland.?
For the 2005 ? 06 season the Premier League competition will be renamed and called Thompsons SWPL.
The Premier league consists of 12 teams ? Aberdeen LFC, Arsenal North LFC, (from Glasgow) Cove Rangers LFC, Farmington LFC, (from Forfar), Glasgow City LFC, FC Kilmarnock, Hamilton Academicals, Hibernian LFC, Newburgh LFC, Raith Rovers LFC, Queens Park LFC and Whitehill Welfare LFC.
Scottish Womens Football
The league kicks of on Sunday with the following fixtures and appointments.
Aberdeen v Queens Park
Ref:Gillian Foster
Forfar Farm v Arsenal North
Ref: Morag Pirie
Glasgow City v Cove Rangers
Ref: Lesley Hamilton
Hibernian v Hamilton
Ref:Lorraine Quinn
Kilmarnock v Whitehill
Ref: t.b.a.
Newburgh v Raith Rovers
Ref: Lorraine Clark
Scottish Daily Record
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