The Scottish Women's Premier League has announced clubs will form a new league and cup competition which will see elite women’s football become the responsibility of the SPFL from next season.
A majority of the 17 Scottish Women’s Premier League [SWPL] clubs have now confirmed that they are supportive of the plans and, from this summer, clubs including Lanarkshire sides Motherwell and Hamilton Accies will be invited to become members of a new two-tier league competition, with the SPFL also running a new League Cup at the dawn of a new era for the women’s game in Scotland.
Glasgow City have dominated the SWPL for over a decade, winning 14 league titles in a row, but this season investment in both Rangers and Celtic women's teams has seen them challenge for the crown. Rangers currently lead the way this term with City second and Celtic third.
Many games in the SWPL are currently played in Lanarkshire with Airdrie's Excelsior Stadium, East Kilbride's K-Park and Broadwood in Cumbernauld hosting games for the leading three sides in the top flight. Hamilton play at New Douglas Park and Motherwell use Alliance Park.
The announcement comes after months of talks between clubs, the Scottish FA, SPFL and Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) about how to best to build upon the progress that the Scottish women’s game has made in recent years.
And it is hoped this move will help boost the both the profile of the women's game and its finances.
Women’s football has grown exponentially in recent years, with UEFA on course to double the number of women and girls participating across Europe by 2024, whilst significantly increasing sponsorship revenue, television viewing figures and club competition prize money at the elite end.
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: “The Scottish FA recently published its bespoke women’s football strategy, Accelerate Our Game, and a key pillar of that plan is to take our elite clubs and competitions to the next level.
"To achieve that we need to optimise the game’s governance and structures and the work undertaken by the Scottish FA, SPFL and SWF, and the clubs within the SWPL, has shown the collective desire to take the game forward.
“With Hampden Park the new home of the Scotland Women’s National Team, and the team playing in front of record crowds, I am delighted that the various constituent parts of the game have come together to agree on a positive route forward for elite women’s football.”
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “Everyone at the SPFL is hugely excited by the prospect of working closely with the SWPL clubs to help increase the competitiveness, profile and income of elite women’s football in Scotland.
“I have been struck by the ambition of all clubs involved to drive up standards, take the game to the next level and increase participation across the sport.
“It is clear to see the many benefits that increased professionalism has brought to women’s football across the world. We believe we are well-placed to add significant value to the game in Scotland in both a sporting and commercial sense.
“Lastly, I would like to send my thanks to everyone at SWF, which deserves huge credit for the way it has progressed the women’s professional game in Scotland in recent times.”
Scottish Women’s Football chief executive Aileen Campbell said: “SWF is committed to driving the women's and girls' game in Scotland. We are therefore determined to do everything we can to support the elite game as it transitions to the SPFL.
“Football can be a huge force for good and we want to maximise its potential to drive positive change across our sport and society.
"We need to shine a spotlight on player wellbeing, to push for structural change and equality in boardrooms, and to prioritise a respect agenda.
"SWF stands ready and enthused to support the Scottish football family on that journey.”
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