ALONG with most other people, I find that this time of year is one for reflection, with so many different emotions coming into play, some happy and some not so happy.
I’ve had a look back at the sporting changes in 2016, specifically looking at ‘the firsts’. As much as this year has brought its fair share of trials and tribulations to many, it also has also given us some inspirational firsts in the sporting world which, for me, augur well for 2017.
Let’s start with the SPFL, which this year appointed not just one woman on to their board, but three – owner of Hearts FC Ann Budge, Hibernian CEO Leanne Dempster and Karyn McCluskey, who at the time of her appointment was the head of the Violence Reduction Unit in Scotland. Three strong women with a diverse wealth of knowledge. This was a very welcome statement from a high-profile sporting organisation, leading the way in Scottish football.
We also had our first full-time professional women’s rugby player in Jade Konkel, who has a perfect pedigree in sport as she spent two seasons with the national league basketball club Highland Bears, has represented Scotland in athletics for the army cadets, won two gold medals for shot put and discus, and has a black belt in the martial art goshin-ryu kempo. Scottish Rugby then followed this by announcing the appointment of Dee Bradbury of Oban Lorne RFC as vice-president of the SRU. This, in effect, means a woman will hold the top job in two years’ time.
Another outfit to support professional sport for women was Basketball Scotland, with the creation of Caledonia Pride, who are playing in the WBBL for the 2016-17 season. They play their home games at Oriam, which is yet another first for Scotland. Oriam is Scotland’s sports performance centre in Edinburgh and is home to our high-performance athletes in football, rugby, basketball, handball, squash, racketball and volleyball. This magnificent centre will provide athletes, coaches and officials with the facilities to create an exceptional performance environment that will reaffirm and strengthen Scotland’s sporting credentials and put the nation firmly on the world stage.
Volleyball has also created a first with Lynne Beattie and Mel Coutts aiming to represent Scotland in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia at beach volleyball. Both girls have a strong pedigree in volleyball with Lynne being handed the captaincy of the British volleyball team for London 2012. This intrepid duo get up at the crack of dawn every day to train, usually on Portobello Beach. However, after a quick call-out on a previous National article, things are moving in a better direction as they now have a possible indoor training facility, maybe a first for 2017!
Sportswoman, a magazine which basically does what is says on the tin – covers sportswomen – launched their first edition of the full colour magazine earlier this year. This was quickly snapped up by everyone who bemoans the lack of coverage of women in sport in Scotland. It would be great to see this professional publication take off in 2017. Any funders out there who can offer support to this publication would be welcomed with open arms.
Finally, the Scottish FA women’s national team’s qualification for the finals of the European Championships this year rates as one of my top moments. This is a major achievement for the players and staff and, if handled right, could prove an amazing catalyst for increasing participation, raising awareness of women and girls in football and promoting the game to all. It was a very positive tournament as Scotland led in the group stages, losing only once against Iceland at home. In November, the draw was made for Euro 2017 and Scotland are set to take on rivals England, Spain and Portugal next year in the Netherlands. Let’s hope we have another first with good media coverage and great support for the team.
These are just some of my favourite firsts for 2016, no doubt you will all have your own. Let’s look forward to 2017 giving us even more firsts. All that’s left for me to say now is Happy Hogmanay and, in true Scottish fashion, ‘may the best ye hae ivver seen be the warst ye’ll ivver see!’
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