CEO, CJ Lang & Son Ltd, Colin McLean, Chief Executive, Scottish FA, Ian Maxwell and SWNT player Rachel McLouglin
Download imageSPAR Scotland partnered with the Scottish FA in 2019, sponsoring the Scotland Women’s National Team (SWNT). Since this time, the profile of the Scotland Women’s National Team has been continually raised. Investment has also been made into girls’ and womens’ grassroots football across Scotland.
A key element of the partnership is the SPAR Future Stars Challenge Cup, a nationwide girl’s football competition stretching to all parts of Scotland. This has been an excellent opportunity for schoolgirls aged between 12-16 years to participate in a competitive, fun, and inclusive football competition.
The 2023 competition broke all records with 300 teams participating in the tournament across the length and breadth of Scotland with over 3,000 girls competing. Registrations are already open for the 2024 competition with over 80 teams signed up to take part.
SPAR’s new partnership extension with the Scottish FA until August 2027 includes new rights to include the Women’s Scottish Cup domestic games over the next four years. Last season, over 10,000 fans flooded Hampden Park for the showpiece Women’s Scottish Cup Final, which was broadcast nationally. SPAR’s support will help grow the competition even further, with the brand featured on media interview backdrops and in stadia.
During the partnership relaunch announcement on 8 August, SPAR Scotland CEO Colin McLean said: “We are extremely pleased to extend our well-established partnership with the Scottish FA until 2027. Over the past four years, the combination of our familiar SPAR Brand with one of Scotland’s leading female sports has allowed us to reach even more customers.
“Our continued partnership with the Scottish FA and our sponsorship of the Scotland Women’s National Team allows us to encourage more girls to play football. Giving as many girls as possible a competitive opportunity to participate in our tournament right across Scotland is hugely important to us. Renewing this partnership is testament to our excellent working relationship and we look forward to the years ahead.”
Andy Gould, Chief Football Officer, Scottish FA said: “We have been consistently increasing female participation and inspiring the next generation is a key pillar of our Girls’ and Women’s Strategy . The successful SPAR Future Stars Challenge Cup has helped facilitate these aims, by providing a platform for girls to enjoy football in a fun and safe environment.
“We are extremely grateful to SPAR for their support of the Scotland Women’s National Team over the past four years. Following a run of four straight victories, it’s a hugely exciting time for the team. We also have six eagerly anticipated matches against Europe’s elite sides to look forward to as we compete in League A of the inaugural UEFA Women’s Nations League later this year.”
SPAR Scotland’s partnership with the Scottish Football Association (Scottish FA) encourages young people to have an active and healthy lifestyle and supports girls who want to play football at a grassroots level with the aim one day to represent the Scotland Women’s National Team.
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The United Kingdom became a SPAR member in 1956 when SPAR International granted the SPAR licence to a group of independent wholesalers. There are five regional organisations in the UK, continually building the brand’s presence. A central office in London provides national marketing and buying services for the group. SPAR UK comprises independently owned, licensed, retailers and company-owned stores.
