Scots ladies have had to beat sexism at SFA

It’s great to see the Scotland women’s team winning their battles on and off the pitch.

When I was Chief Executive of the SFA, I was always pretty supportive of the women’s game. Having met coach Anna Siegneul and several of the players, I felt they deserved to be backed.

They were, after all, working very hard to develop and promote their sport. And they were doing so against a backdrop of sexism that went all the way up to the Board of the Association itself.

I knew from experience there were many who felt football was a man’s game and should remain that way. Their view was wrong for a number of reasons.

Sport can be a very positive force in society. It teaches the importance of discipline and teamwork and can help keep participants fit and healthy. It is crazy to think, therefore, we wouldn’t want girls to get involved as well as boys.

Traditionalists might argue girls have always played other sports. That’s fair enough, but from the man’s game we know part of football’s success is the fact it is so accessible. All you need is a ball and a bit of ground and away you go.

Common sense tells you that the best way to sell the sport is for young people to see the country’s senior side do well against other nations. And that is now happening.

The 7-0 victory over Bosnia in the World Cup qualifiers offers genuine reason for optimism that Siegneul’s side may soon make it to a major Final. They’ve been getting closer and closer and now look ready to take their place among the best.

I think we all know the boost that would give to their cause. We have been waiting for the men’s senior side to achieve that feat since France 1998.

Having followed their progress, I can tell you it is by design not accident. Our women’s side is getting better and better all the time. Technically they are very impressive and their enthusiasm for the sport is infectious. Glasgow City’s players train five nights a week, a schedule that would put many professional part-time men’s teams to shame. You have to be seriously dedicated to put in those sorts of hours. Do so and you deserve the respect of all sports fans.

I believe that, little by little, they have been getting that and applaud the way they have gone about their business. They have recognised that change takes time and have worked away to get what they want. Media coverage is increasing, and with it the crowds should go up too.

That is a key point because at that stage the women’s game will generate more revenue and, in doing so, enable more cash to be invested back into its own development.