Women joining Scottish football clubs sees three-fold increase

In 2017, this figure was 5,833 where 1,568 were adult women and 4,265 were junior females.

Now, 3,951 adult women and 18,452 junior females are registered members of a Scottish football club. 

This represents an increase of 284% since the Scotland’s women football team last qualified for the European Women’s Championship.  The biggest increase has been seen at junior level  which saw a 332% rise in membership. 

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The Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Sport Committee has welcomed the increase in female participation at club level. 

SNP MSP Clare Haughey said: “I am incredibly proud to see the growth in numbers of women and girls getting involved in our national game, particularly at a junior level.

“This exponential growth is in no small part down to the exemplary leadership shown by Scotland’s women team, and alongside civic efforts such as Women and Girls in Sport week we are fostering a more inclusive culture for future generations.

“The Scottish Government is also doubling investment in sport and active living to £100 million by the end of this Parliament.”

The figures come ahead of the Scotland Women’s team going head to head with Finland this evening to decide the last seven spots in the finals of the European Women’s Championship. 

The finals will take place in July next year. Scotland qualified in 2017 having previously lost in dramatic play-offs for 2013 and 2019. The Scotland team has also gone to the 2019 World Cup, however, they lost a 2023 play-off to the Republic of Ireland after knocking out Australia. 

Ms Haughey added: “As our national team get ready to take on Finland this evening, we wish them every ounce of luck and pay tribute to the work they have done to make football a more welcoming place for everyone.”

Although football has seen a steady rise in female participation, across sports in Scotland women and girls registered as members of sports clubs remains stagnant. 

Sport Scotland data found that in 2016-2017, 568,348 men and boys were registered as members of clubs, compared to 205,366 women and girls. In 2022-23, 560,825 men were registered and only 215,117 women. 

Scottish Women in Sport have called for more marketing  and action around inclusivity from sports teams to get young women to sign up.