SPAR Scotland’s four-year partnership with the Scottish Football Association (Scottish FA) has been extended by a further four years.
SPAR Scotland, the leading symbol group, partnered with the Scottish FA in 2019 with the sponsorship of Scotland Women’s National Team (SWNT) and has since continued to raise the profile of the Scotland Women’s National Team, as well as committing investment into girls’ and women’s grassroots football across the country.
A key element of the partnership was the introduction of the SPAR Future Stars Challenge Cup which is a nationwide girl’s football competition stretching to all parts of Scotland. This has been an excellent opportunity for schoolgirls aged between 12-16 years to participate in a competitive, fun and inclusive football competition.
The 2023 competition broke all records with 300 teams participating in the tournament across the length and breadth of Scotland and over 3,000 girls competing. Registrations are already open for the 2024 competition with over 80 teams already signed up to take part.
SPAR’s new partnership extension with the Scottish FA until August 2027 includes new rights as SPAR Scotland extends its sponsorship to include the Women’s Scottish Cup domestic games over the next four years.
Last season, over 10,000 fans flooded Hampden Park for the showpiece Women’s Scottish Cup Final, which was broadcast nationally on BBC One Scotland. SPAR’s support will help grow the competition even further, while seeing the brand feature on media interview backdrops and in stadia. The Women’s Scottish Cup trophy will also be hitting the road, as part of community activations with it’s newest partner.
During the partnership relaunch at Hampden Park on 8th August, SPAR Scotland CEO Colin McLean said: “We are extremely pleased to extend our well-established partnership with the Scottish FA until 2027. Over the past four years, the combination of our familiar SPAR brand with one of Scotland’s leading female sports has allowed us to reach even more customers.
“Our continued partnership with the Scottish FA and our sponsorship of the Scotland Women’s National Team allows us to encourage more girls to play football. Giving as many girls as possible a competitive opportunity to participate in our tournament right across Scotland is hugely important to us. Renewing this partnership is testament to our excellent working relationship and we look forward to the years ahead.”
Andy Gould, Chief Football Officer, Scottish FA said: “We have been consistent that increasing female participation and inspiring the next generation are key pillars of our Girls’ and Women’s Strategy ‘Accelerate Our Game’, and the successful SPAR Future Stars Challenge Cup has helped facilitate these aims, by providing a platform for girls to enjoy football in a fun and safe environment.
“We are extremely grateful to SPAR for their support of the Scotland Women’s National Team over the past four years and their continued backing of Pedro Martinez Losa’s side.
“Following a run of four straight victories, it’s a hugely exciting time for the SWNT, while we also have six eagerly anticipated matches against Europe’s elite sides to look forward to as we compete in League A of the inaugural UEFA Women’s Nations League later this year.
“We are delighted to extend our partnership with SPAR Scotland as we collectively strive to continue the growth of the girl’s and women’s game in Scotland.”
SPAR Scotland’s partnership with the Scottish Football Association (Scottish FA) encourages young people to have an active and healthy lifestyle and supports girls who want to play football at a grassroots level with the aim one day to represent the Scotland Women’s National Team.
