By Euan Wood

The week-long Scottish Government initiative aimed to increase the visibility and participation of women and girls in sport whilst dedicating a central message of inclusivity to address gender inequalities in Scotland.

Scottish Women’s Football CEO, and former Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government, Aileen Campbell spoke of the initiatives importance.

“This week is always a good week for women’s sport,” Campbell said.

“It shines a spotlight on what women and girls are doing across the length and breadth of the country and it really gives a real sense of energy across all sports and enables us to link in with one another and to celebrate everyone’s achievements.

“We brought all women’s sport together to really use that sense of solidarity to push and drive forward the momentum that was necessary, and I’m really pleased that this week continues to grow and evolve.

“Football has always been a democratic sport, it is something that everyone should enjoy, so there is no reason half the population should have ever been excluded from it, so now it’s good that we’ve got to a place where we’re seeing that pent up demand being supported and encouraged. It’s no surprise to me that it’s a sport that is seeing a real upwards trajectory.”

The importance of the initiative was soon reiterated, as a report from the Scottish Government Health, Social Care and Sport Committee noted concerns regarding barriers to female participation in sport only a day after the conclusion of the campaign.

The provisional report found concerns of ‘evidence submitted to the inquiry which suggests that many girls and women are given limited opportunities to participate in sports and physical activities that are stereotypically viewed as being male-dominated.’

The committee’s findings also reported ‘the perception of women’s elite sport as second best, and the comparative lack of media coverage surrounding women’s elite sports, contributed to an overall lack of available funding and sponsorship.’

The campaign was supported by former Glasgow City and Scotland international and since regular BBC pundit, Leanne Crichton, who took part in a promotional video highlighting the significance of participation in sport.

Campbell has since reiterated the importance of such media involvement in advancing women’s sport in Scotland.

“Visibility is critical for women’s sport,” Campbell explained.

“Women and girls in sport week is really positive because it gives a real focus to that, making sure that we can with pride, be able to put on social platforms positive images of women playing sport, so that role model position is really critical.

“There are still far too many times when we see negative comments on social media and other platforms, so we need to challenge that, but the visibility bit is really important because it then drives forward enthusiasm, momentum and encourages hopefully more girls to go out and kick a ball.”

A 2021/2022 report commissioned by the Observatory for Sport in Scotland reported that 71% of men met the required level of physical activity for heath guidelines whilst only 60% of women met the same level.

The findings of the Scottish Government committee has demonstrated no significant change in that trend, with ‘evidence which shows a persistent gender gap in rates of participation in sport and physical activity.’

Clyde FC goalkeeper and community goalkeeping coach, Neil Parry spoke of the importance of female involvement and the changing trends in his local community.

“I think [inclusivity] is hugely important,” Parry said.

“I coach [goalkeepers] for a youth club in East Kilbride and only up to recent months they hadn’t had any girls at it, but just recently we’ve had three come in and it’s great to see.

Whilst acknowledging that levels of female involvement hasn’t reached the level is should’ve, Parry is encouraged with the progression shown so far.

“When I was at school, I don’t remember any girls playing football and it really is a shame that generation was lost on them. I’m sure there would’ve been lots of talent and enthusiasm that could’ve been tapped into, but just wasn’t.

“I genuinely do think women’s goalkeeping profile has been raised. You obviously had Mary Earps in England and I definitely think it’s on the rise. Its huge that we continue to build on it and we give girls the opportunity to be able to play.”

As Scottish women and girls in sport week encourages participation across all sports and physical activity, Parry encouraged more women and girls to learn the life skills sport has to offer.

“[Sport] can teach you life lessons,

“Experiencing winning, experiencing losing; and everybody just becomes a better person for that, and adding in the social side of it, you are able to engage with different personalities and different people which is a great skill to have when you move on in later life.”

Listen to our radio report on the Scottish women and girls in sport week below: