Funding boost sees Buckie Ladies to power ahead with Grant Park improvements
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
BUCKIE Ladies has been handed a four-figure boost to their plans to improve their Gordon Park home.
The Highlands and Islands League Cup champions are celebrating landing £1000 in a ScottishPower funding competition dedicated to providing essential support for women and girls football clubs.
Launched specifically for clubs across the Highlands and Islands, as part of ScottishPower becoming the first ever title sponsor for SWF’s Highlands and Islands League, the competition is the latest initiative in the landmark three-year partnership deal, dedicated to energising women’s football at every age and stage across the country.
Four separate prizes of £1000 were up for grabs, with Buckie Ladies being joined by Caithness LFC, Shetland Girls and Brora Rangers.
Buckie Ladies will use their winners funding to construct a much-needed new toilet facility at the club.
A lack of access to comfortable and safe spaces to visit the bathroom is known to be a key barrier for girls when it comes to enjoying football at community facilities and as Buckie Ladies continues to achieve success and attract more players, the club recognises the need to raise the standards of supporting infrastructure to match and support their growth ambitions.
Laura Duncan, club secretary and Buckie Ladies team manager, said: “It’s wonderful to have been awarded this prize money, which will enable us raise the standards of facilities that we’re able to offer to both our own players and to our opposition on match days, enhancing the playing experience for everyone.
“We’re excited to get started with construction and to see the positive impact this will have for our football community."
Throughout the partnership, ScottishPower is working closely with SWF in supporting the women’s game for both this and future generations by driving equality and diversity all the way from grassroots to elite.
Aileen Campbell, CEO, Scottish Women’s Football commented: “Congratulations to Buckie Ladies on their funding award. Access to comfortable and safe facilities is a crucial component to the continued growth of women’s and girls’ football in the Highlands and Islands but is sadly something that can too often be taken for granted.
“The entries from all clubs showed the unique challenges they face across the Highlands and Islands and the aspirations they have to overcome them. The competition wasn’t easy to judge but Buckie Ladies have a clear solution to an important challenge that makes them worthy winners, and we’re looking forward to seeing the impact that the funding can have for the club.
“As we mark the first anniversary of our partnership, together with ScottishPower we’re committed to energising women’s and girls’ football at every level across Scotland”.
Julie Keough, Brand Director at ScottishPower, added: “Being able to support Buckie Ladies with this project through our competition is an honour. The club is going from strength to strength and we have no doubts we will see great things from them in the future.
“We were so impressed by the calibre of entries to our competition, many of whom have incredible ideas about how they can bolster women’s and girls’ football in their area. It’s been wonderful to see the enthusiasm the teams and their supporters have and shows, once again, how important it is to provide support and funding to women’s football teams of all levels – something we are very proud to be playing a part in.”
