- Project 2035 to create new opportunities, backed by £250,000
this year
More girls and women across Scotland will have opportunities to
play, coach, officiate and lead in football under a new long-term
plan to grow the game.
Project 2035, supported by £250,000 of Scottish Government
investment this year, aims to increase participation, strengthen
pathways into the game and establish Scotland as a leading nation
for women's football by 2035.
A new Girls' and Women's Football Taskforce will oversee
delivery of Project 2035 over the next decade. This will bring
together the Scottish Government, Scottish Women's Football, the
Scottish Football Association, the Scottish Women's Premier
League, the Professional Footballers' Association Scotland,
sportscotland and COSLA.
First Minister said:
"Football has the power to bring communities together, improve
health and wellbeing, and inspire young people to achieve their
potential.
"Project 2035 is about building the momentum we have seen in
recent years in women's and girls' football and creating even
more opportunities across Scotland.
"Our ambition is simple: every girl in Scotland who wants to be
part of football should have the opportunity to do so, whether as
a player, coach, official, volunteer, supporter or leader.
"By working together we can help Scotland become a leading nation
for women's football."
Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell said:
"Today's announcement is fantastic news for the future of the
Girls' and Women's game in Scotland. Project 35 will play a
pivotal role in supporting the sustainable growth of our game
over the next decade to ensure every girl and woman in Scotland
has the opportunity to be involved in football in whatever
capacity they choose.
"On the pitch and beyond, our commitment is stronger than ever to
grow the game in an equitable and sustainable way. The newly
created Scottish Girls' and Women's Football Taskforce will
provide an important focal point as we strive to achieve our
collective ambitions for the game."
Scottish Women's Football Chief Executive said:
At Scottish Women's Football we experience firsthand the
incredible growth in participation of girls playing grassroots
football, but we know challenges remain and more work needs to be
done. That's why this Scottish Government-led taskforce will be a
gamechanger harnessing passion and momentum to pull partners
together, support volunteers and give every girl who wants to the
opportunity to play the game they love.
Scottish Women's Premier League Managing Director Fiona McIntyre
said:
Project 2035 will transform women's football into an integral
part of Scottish society, driving record attendances, expanding
professional opportunities for girls and women, and unlocking
sustained investment across the game to accelerate long-term
growth and success.
sportscotland Chief Executive Forbes Dunlop
said:
Project 2035 presents a great opportunity for partners to come
together to build on the existing support for the women's game
and enhance opportunities for participation and progression. We
look forward to being part of this exciting initiative.
Co-chairs of COSLA's Sport and Physical Activity Special Interest
Group Councillor Paul Kelly and Councillor Maureen Chalmers said:
Project 2035 represents an exciting opportunity to build on the
growing popularity of girls' and women's football in Scotland.
Local government plays an important role in creating
opportunities for girls and women to participate in sport, from
national leadership to the local provision of facilities and
programmes. By working together across national and local
government, the football sector and communities, we can help
ensure every girl and woman who wants to be involved in the game
has the opportunity to do so. COSLA is pleased to support this
ambition and the work of the new Taskforce.
Project 2035 Plan will be available at: www.gov.scot/publications/girls-and-womens-football-project-2035-plan
Project 2035 sets out goals for the next decade, including:
- doubling the number of registered female players
- quadrupling attendances and audiences for women's matches and
- supporting Scotland's Women's National Team to progress
beyond the group stages of a FIFA Women's World Cup.
