THE Scottish women’s football squad will be able to train full-time for next year’s World Cup thanks to a funding boost.
The Scottish Government has pledged around £80,000 extra cash to the team so the players who are not currently professionals can train full-time from January.
The Scottish team has qualified for the 2019 Women’s World Cup, which takes place in France next June.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the funding at Hampden Park in Glasgow. She said: “I’m proud to be patron of the Scotland women’s national team and it’s been fantastic to see the hard work of the squad and staff pay off with their qualification for the Fifa World Cup next year.
“This funding will allow all members of the squad to train full-time from January 2019 through to the World Cup in the summer.
She added: “This will help to strengthen women and girls’ football in Scotland, and give Shelley [Kerr] and her squad the best chance of success in the finals.
“We want to increase participation of women and girls in sport and I hope the success of the women’s team inspires more women and girls to get involved in sport, from grassroots activity to elite level.”
Scotland head coach Kerr said: “We are in a fortunate position where a number of our players are already playing football full-time and this agreement allows all of our squad to be at their optimal best when the tournament comes around.”
Kerr was joined by Hibernian’s Joelle Murray and Jenna Fife, and Glasgow City’s Leanne Crichton, Hayley Lauder, Jo Love and Lee Alexander.
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell was also in attendance for the announcement at Hampden Park.
He said: “The whole of the country was delighted when Shelley Kerr’s team qualified for the FA World Cup.
“We are determined to ensure that the squad are as well prepared as they can be going into their first FIFA World Cup.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Scottish Government for their support, which will undoubtedly help our home based players as they push to make the final squad.”
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