PRESS RELEASE

NEW SPONSORSHIP DEAL FOR SCOTTISH WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

 The Scottish Women’s Premier Football League will have a major sponsor for the first time during the coming season.

 Cash from the deal, which was revealed at a news conference at Hampden Park, Glasgow, 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.

 The company providing this major financial boost for the women’s game is Thompsons Solicitors, Scotland’s leading personal injury specialists.

 Announcing details of the new deal Wendy Durie of Thompsons 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”

 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.

Their games are played on Sundays and the new season gets underway this weekend on August 21.

Last year’s League Champions were Glasgow City while Hibernian Ladies FC won both the Amicus Scottish Cup and the League Cup.

Issued on behalf of Thompsons Solicitors by Whitton pr Ltd. For further information contact David Whitton on 07771 941170