Wolecki Black: Scotland glory’s having big impact on our game
“The national team’s success is generating more interest and that can only be good for the game.
“There is no doubt it’s had a great effect because there’s a feelgood factor there. It creates real interest.
“Last year, the team was at the European Championship and they’ve now qualified for the World Cup next year. You only have to look at the men’s team to see that’s not as easy as people think it is.
“I’m hoping to see a real upsurge in attendances at women’s games and interest and media coverage.”
Asked what else can be done to help the sport grow in Scotland, Wolecki Black said: “Providing a matchday experience – that would help.
“In Germany, when you go to a women’s game, from about 10am there will be things going on outside the stadium.
“On one side there will be ‘beat the goalie’ and on the other side there will be face painting. It’s a family affair. Kids and mums and dads all go along to watch the game. We need that here.”
Money is a big factor too. SSE came on board as the first major sponsor of women’s football in Scotland in September 2016.
As well as being the official partner of the women’s national team the energy company are also title sponsor of the Scottish Women’s Cup.
Scottish Building Society are also providing investment through their sponsorship of the Scottish Women’s Premier League, a commitment they’ve made until 2020.
Rangers head coach Amy McDonald said: “The only way is up for the women’s game now. One of the big things is making sure there are more commercial and sponsorship opportunities to ensure BY LISA GRAY there are no barriers to girls and women playing football.
“We need to celebrate not only the success of the elite programmes but also the fantastic work being done at the grassroots level.
“In the past a lot of women couldn’t play football because it wasn’t seen as acceptable in society but women and girls are now out playing five-a-sides and seven-a-sides with their friends.
“They are making a positive choice to be healthier and fitter and that’s great to see.
“It’s important to invest in the right areas to ensure we are improving in the long term. The players in the national team are setting the standards.
“Moving forward it’s about how we get youth players to their level, how we educate them and put a process in place to develop.
“We’ll have to work harder than we’ve ever done before to be able to achieve that and to continue what the national team have done this year.”
At a domestic level the aim for the Old Firm next season will be attempting to mount a stronger challenge against City and Hibs.
Last term saw City claim a 12th consecutive SWPL1 title, finishing 23 points above third-placed Celtic and 34 points ahead of Rangers in fourth. League runners-up Hibs claimed a cup double for the third season in a row. Hoops boss Wolecki Black said: “We have finished third for the last four years in a row. We want to try to close the points gap on the top two. It’s about challenging up there. “The most important thing is that we’ve got to recruit well. That will really help us.” Asked if mounting a serious challenge for honours was a realistic aim for next season he said: “Of course. Absolutely.” Gers boss McDonald added: “We will look to close the gap. The overall feeling within the squad is we underachieved last season. “We went from sixth to fourth which shows progression but we need to get better consistency in our performances.” Kerra McKinnie, from league sponsors Scottish Building Society, said they’ve seen a “huge growth” since getting on board in August last year. She added: “It has been a fantastic time to be involved and the momentum is really growing. Hopefully the Tartan Army will get behind the women’s team at the World Cup and that will have a knock-on effect on the SWPL teams and the junior teams. “We want girls who are playing to see a pathway to playing professional football in Scotland.”