Former Scotland football star takes up key role with Scottish Rugby

Former football star takes on role of building on progress made in women’s and girls’ game

Scottish Rugby has again recruited a leading exponent of the other code to head up their women and girls’ development.

Perth-born Gemma Fay, Scotland’s most-capped goalkeeper having made 200 appearances in a 19-year international career with the Scottish women’s soccer team, is joining as head of women and girls’ rugby in January.

Murrayfield previously successfully poached Sheila Begbie from football for the post and she is now director of domestic rugby at Murrayfield.

Fay has recently been with sportscotland where she worked as a partnerships manager with different sporting governing bodies since 2009.

“We are very excited about bringing Gemma to Scottish Rugby,” said Scott Johnson, director of rugby at Murrayfield.

“Not only has she had a significant career in elite sport at an international level, but Gemma has also worked with different sports and understands what it takes to build and deliver the type of programme we want to achieve for women and girls in Scotland.”

Stephen Gemmell, Scottish Rugby’s head of academy and performance programmes, said that Gemma was best placed to build on the progress women’s rugby had made in recent years.

“It is vital we now build on that momentum, both at grassroots level right through to the national team to put a sustainable and robust programme in place,” he said.

“Gemma has a great range of experience to bring to Scottish Rugby and this role will give her a real opportunity to put that into practice.”

Gemma said it was an exciting time to be joining Scottish Rugby.

“After speaking at length with Scott Johnson I felt like this would be a perfect opportunity to use the skills I have developed as a professional in the sports industry for the past 14 years, in addition to my 20 years as an international athlete.”

Gemma started her playing career with St Johnstone Girls and has played for Aberdeen, Ayr United, Brighton, Hibernian, Leeds United, Celtic, Glasgow City and most recently Sjarnan in Iceland.

We are very excited about bringing Gemma to Scottish Rugby. SCOTT JOHNSON

Picture: Getty Images. Gemma Fay: will bring her experience as Scotland’s most-capped goalkeeper to the role of women and girls’ development guru at Scottish Rugby.