SPAR Scotland initially launched its sponsorship with the Scottish FA in 2019. Throughout 2020, the company continued to raise the profile of the Scotland Women’s National Team, investing in girls’ and women’s grassroots football across Scotland until 2021.
A vital element of the partnership was introducing the SPAR Future Stars Football Cup, a nationwide Girls Football competition stretching across all six Scottish FA Regions. This presented an opportunity for girls aged 12-16 years to participate in a competition for their school.
Despite the Future Stars Final not being able to occur last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SPAR Scotland witnessed great team performances at a local and regional level before lockdown. It will ensure the competition begins next term again.
During the pandemic, SPAR Scotland worked with the Scotland National Team players. They took part in virtual videos, including Lizzie Arnot baking banana bread and Lana Clelland taking on keep-fit activities.
Colin McLean, CEO of SPAR Scotland, said: “Our partnership means we can continue to commit to girls and women’s grassroots football with the Scottish FA. This allows our hugely successful Future Stars tournament to continue encouraging young girls to participate in the sport. It also helps build on the positive momentum in girls’ and women’s football generated by the national team’s success.”
Fiona McIntyre, Head of Girls’ and Women’s Football at the Scottish FA, said: “SPAR Scotland’s partnership with the association has been hugely valuable and beneficial in the growth of the women’s game since the World Cup in 2019.”
“The start of their partnership coincided in a real upsurge of interest in the national team and women’s football as a whole. The SPAR Future Stars Cup allowed young girls across the country to enjoy playing football in a friendly, competitive tournament against other schools.”
“SPAR Scotland have demonstrated a real commitment to supporting the growth of the women’s game across the board from the grassroots to the national team. Their backing is invaluable as we aim to increase participation numbers, with girls and women across the country now back on pitches following the difficult year we’ve all experienced”, Fiona McIntyre added.
Source: SPAR UK
The UK became a SPAR member in 1956 when SPAR International granted the SPAR licence to a group of independent wholesalers. There are now five regional partners in the UK. A central office in London provides national marketing and buying services for the group.
SPAR has led the highly competitive convenience market in the UK for many years. Always innovative, the five regional partners have continued to grow the brand. SPAR UK comprises independently owned licensed retailers and company-owned stores. These include forecourts, airports, train stations, city centres, and local neighbourhood stores.
