Hosting greatest women footballers on the planet will be a shot in the arm for our game

London Olympics: Hosting greatest women footballers on the planet will be a shot in the arm for our game, says SWFA chief

SCOTTISH women’s football chief Maureen McGonigal insists the game in this country will bag a huge boost due to star names set to grace Hampden as part of the Olympics reports The Daily Record.

The National Stadium will host five women’s games and few will be more hotly-anticipated than when female football superpowers USA take to the hallowed turf on July 25 against France.

The women’s game continues to be the fastest growing sport in the world and the Americans are at the very top of the pile.

Columbia and Korea will also showcase their top female talents in Glasgow and record crowds for women’s football in this country are expected.

And for McGonigal, the executive administrator of Scottish Women’s Football, the stars on show will prove inspirational for a new generation of players and fans.
She said: “The level of the teams participating, particularly in the opening game involving the USA is immense.

“People will be amazed at the skill on show. It will raise the profile of women’s football.”
It has never been easier for young girls to play football and the SFA have coaches and football festivals around the country guiding youngsters.

But the women’s game goes back much further than many people realise in Scotland.

The first account of women playing football in Europe comes from Lanarkshire in 1629 and the first recorded women’s association football match was played in 1881 in Edinburgh between Scotland and England at Easter Road.
And despite the fact girls have to play in mixed teams until the age of 15 in Scotland, rising star Eilish McSorley insists her early experiences were positive.

The 19-year-old, who is Scotland Under-19 skipper and is studying at the Women’s National Football Academy at Stirling University, said: “I never felt separate from other players and if you have the skill, there’s no arguing with that.

“I had a great experience growing up with football and I believe respect for women’s football is now growing.
“The fact people in Scotland can watch USA and France might make them come and watch more football in the women’s domestic leagues.”

Scots Kim Little and Ifeoma Dieke have been chosen to represent Team GB at the London Games and 13-year-old Murron Keith, who plays for Glasgow City, can’t wait to see the action unfold at Hampden.

Keith is part of the new generation of talent and she said: “I just like the game and hopefully I’ll be become a professional.”

Updated: 10/07/2012 15:49