Leanne Crichton believes the SPFL taking control of elite women's football is the next step step for a better future.
The majority of Scottish Women’s Premier League's [SWPL] 17 clubs have come out in support of becoming the SPFL's responsibility from next season.
Clubs will be invited to join a new two-tier league competition and the SPFL are also running a new League Cup competition as a new era beckons.
Crichton has been eagerly awaiting an announcement which comes after months of talks between clubs, the SFA, SPFL and Scottish Women’s Football (SWF).
A former Scotland international and current player-coach at SWPL 1 side Motherwell, Crichton believes it's a positive move for Scottish football.
She said: "It's been an ongoing conversation for some time now. There have been several meetings and we have arrived at the same place.
"We are very positive moving forward. You can see the response from the outside looking in that there's a feel for the professionalism that's already there.
"I think it's because it's a governing body in the male game which has that affiliation already. Now it's about us trying to make that better and there's a lot of things women's football can do.
"There's a lot of excitement and a relief that a decision has been made. Each individual club would have had a different outlook but the clubs have a respect for each other.
"The clubs have had open conversations and it's given me confidence the game is in a good place."
Women's football still has plenty of work to do in terms of its coverage and attendance figures. Crichton believes this step could help that quest.
She added: "I think what is important is that we provide a good product on the park and that is continued. If the product on the pitch continues to grow, the coverage off the pitch has already started to increase this season.
"The clubs are doing a lot more and there's a highlights programme. The interest is there and if you put it under that SPFL banner, it's easier to advertise and showcase."
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