SFWA to honour the Scotland women's team player of the year thanks to Glens

THE Scottish Football Writers’ Association will present its inaugural Women’s International Player of the Year award. Sponsored by Glen’s Vodka, the winner will be voted for by members of the association following Scotland’s final games of the season next month.

A presentation will then be made at the association’s annual awards dinner on Sunday May 8 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central hotel.

SFWA president Lindsay Herron said: “We're delighted that we are able to honour the best international female player of the season with this new award. Special thanks must go to Glen’s for making it happen.

“Our members are looking forward to casting their votes later in the season.”

Scotland women’s national team head coach Pedro Martinez Losa said: “Visibility plays such an important part in the development of women’s football and this award will help with that.

“So much of Scottish football culture is about supporting the national team. It is feeling that pride to be Scottish.

“It would be my dream to fill Hampden with fans of the women’s team and that is why awards like this are so important. They create recognition and visibility and help to promote our game.

“There is not always discussion around the recognition in terms of the amount of effort and barriers and work that all these girls and women have to navigate to play football.

“Hopefully in the future we have a positive environment and the best future for all of them so we don’t have these issues to overcome.”

Colin Matthews, CEO of Glen’s Vodka owner Loch Lomond Group, said: “Football is the number one sport in Scotland and as the women’s game is starting to get the recognition it deserves, it’s great to see the SFWA introducing this new category to acknowledge the growth of the women's leagues and reward the efforts of these professional players.

“Football is part of Scotland’s cultural fabric and puts its loyal fans at the heart – something which resonates with Glen’s Vodka, as an iconic Scottish brand with customers at its core.

“With our SPFL partnership already in place, it’s the perfect opportunity for us to extend our support of Scottish football and play our part in celebrating female talent in the game with the sponsorship of this inaugural award.”