MCINTYRE WANTS GIRLS LOVING THEIR FOOTBALL

Standing at the front line of women’s football in Scotland, Fiona Mcintyre registered the biggest win of her career last month – but the battle has only just begun.

After several years at the helm of Scottish women’s football, Mcintyre was recently appointed head of girls’ and women’s football at the Scottish Football Association – and even agreed a deal that will see the women’s top flight in Scotland broadcast on Sky Sports for the very first time this season.

Mcintyre’s work is being recognised as part of a campaign championing individuals and projects supporting women in sport in their communities, with the help of the National Lottery.

“That’s probably the biggest single milestone in my professional career, getting that contract concluded with Sky Sports,” said Mcintyre.

“Because it was probably something that three or four years ago if we’d suggested it, they’d have thought that was ambitious and maybe even called me a little bit crazy.

“But that’s what our ultimate aim is, to make sure everyone knows about women’s football, not every four years, every week.”

As part of that goal, National Lottery funding has been vital to provide grassroots opportunities that Mcintyre believes will complete the cycle of inspiration and participation.

“When those girls look up to role models, they need somewhere to go,” insisted Mcintyre. “They need to be able to find a good football activity or a club and I think that’s where the funding hugely helps.

“It allows us to give young girls their first taste of football, help them fall in love with it and set them off on a path that maybe leads them to a national team or that gives lifelong friendships.

“For me, the biggest challenge is maintaining momentum. We’ve relied on the national team to do well to get that media interest and that puts pressure on the Scotland team in those six 10-day windows a year.”