Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Chasing the World Cup dream trip
Lee Alexander reckons Scotland’s players are even more determined to qualify for the World Cup finals after enjoying their first taste of a top tournament last summer.
The women’s national team took part in the European Championships for the first time in 2017 and for goalkeeper Lee it was a dream come true.
And she believes the more they make it to the big, high-profile tournaments, the more girls will be encouraged to take up the game and increase participation.
Lee, 26, said: “The Scotland women’s team are doing really well and hopefully we will qualify for the World Cup finals.
“It can only be beneficial for the younger generation coming through to see that Scottish teams can actually qualify for these big tournaments.
“Watching the men’s World Cup at the moment, it makes you think that if our men’s team were there, how good it would be for Scotland.
“When I was younger, I was involved with a lot of the Scotland youth set-up but to make the step up into the senior team was a big thing for me.
“To be able to experience the Euros, the first major championships that the Scotland women’s team had ever qualified for, was huge in terms of the experience gained from it.
“We had a great following and it was great for young girls to be able to watch those games on TV.”
Like many female footballers, the Glasgow City star started out playing for a local boys’ team.
She’s delighted to see so many more opportunities for young girls just starting out on their own footballing journey these days.
And that’s why Lee jumped at the chance to get involved with the Scottish FA’s Girls’ Soccer Centres, which are presented by sponsors SSE, as their Central region ambassador.
She said: “There are a lot more opportunities now and there’s more money being put into the game.
“It’s just about focusing on the grassroots and getting girls involved.
“I’m an ambassador for the SFA’s Soccer Centres, which allow young girls to come along and play football for the first time.
“Initiatives like these are only going to be beneficial in the long-term.
“A lot of things have changed in the last few years and I was delighted when I was asked to be involved with the Girls’ Soccer Centres.
“The SFA are investing in the women’s game because they know in time it will reap the benefits.”
Lee is used to winning silverware with league champions Glasgow City.
And, thanks to our brilliant competition, one young reader will know what it feels like to be a winner too.
We’re asking youngsters to design a new SSE Scottish Women’s Cup trophy, which will be presented to the triumphant team at the Final on November 4.
The prize also includes hospitality at the match and £1000 worth of sports kit for the winner’s school.
Lee said: “I’ve been fortunate enough to win quite a few trophies in my time at City, including the league and the Scottish Cup.
“It’s a sense of relief at the end of the season because you know that all your hard work and dedication has paid off.
“You do sacrifice a lot but it’s what you want to do, you want to win things.
“It just makes everything worth it in the end, to be able to say that you’ve won it.”