As part of the lead up to the Scottish Women’s Senior Team World Cup qualifier on Thursday 29th October at Tynecastle against Georgia, the Scottish FA South East Region are holding various activities for girls and women to become more involved with the game.
Over the weekend, a number of national team players and national staff came out in force to support events. Former National Team captain and Scottish U19 National Team coach, Shelley Kerr and National U19 team players Sarah Ewens, Stacey McLean and Hayley Lauder were in attendance at the South East region U11 girls festival at the Spartan’s Academy in North Edinburgh. Over sixty girls from various clubs and schools across Edinburgh and the Lothians participated in 4-aside fun games in a festival format and the national team players were on hand to provide some advice and guidance to the next generation of stars. Shelley Kerr was extremely enthusiastic about the event and stated “It is fantastic to see so many girls participating in the festival and it is clear to see that they are having a great time as well as improving their football skills and their health and fitness. Hopefully, with all the work being carried out across the country, we can inspire even more to take part and we'll see a number of these players progress into clubs and onto the national stage”.
On the other side of the City at Peffermill Playing Fields, nineteen female coaches were being put through their paces by Scottish FA development staff, Sam Milne and Chris Roberts. Coaches were from a range of backgrounds and experience and had travelled from all corners of the South East Region to attend the course. As well as a presentation from Scottish FA Regional Manager, Mark Munro, the Scottish FA’s Head of Women's Football, Sheila Begbie and Shelley Kerr dropped in to answer any questions that the coaches had about the game and opportunities available for them to become more involved. All coaches managed to gain their Level One Children’s coaching certificate, the Early Touches certificate and will now work with regional staff to develop themselves and the female game in their local areas further.
There will be further activities throughout the week culminating in the World Cup Qualifier on Thursday night at Tynecastle against Georgia. It should be an exciting match and Scotland look to be strong favourites having beaten Greece earlier in the week.