Why a 145-year-old Scottish footballing world-first should inspire the nation today
Plan to turn Scotland’s women’s football team into a leading force in the international game within a decade is a step in the right direction
On May 7, 1881, in Edinburgh, Scotland’s Lily St Clare became the first woman in recorded history to score a goal in a game played under football association rules. And what a game it was, with Scotland securing a 3-0 win over England – despite playing in high-heeled boots.
To some, women’s football can seem like a modern phenomenon, but its history dates back almost as far as the men’s game. The fact that we have, in recent years, rediscovered just how popular the sport can be among women and girls is hugely welcome and long overdue.
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Now the SNP government has announced its backing for ‘Project 2035’ – a drive to make Scotland a leading nation for women’s football within a decade – providing £250,000 of funding this year. John Swinney spoke of football’s ability to “bring communities together, improve health and wellbeing, and inspire young people to achieve their potential”.
Scotland should be making much greater efforts to become a genuine ‘sporting nation’, but this is, hopefully, a significant step in the right direction. Where pioneers like Lily St Clare led, we must, even belatedly, follow.
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