Scottish Women's Football (SWF), formerly known as the Scottish Women’s Football Association (SWFA) between 1972 and 2001, is the governing body for women's association football in Scotland. It is an affiliated national association of the Scottish Football Association (SFA).
In its history, it has run or organised the Scottish Women's Cup, the Scotland women's team, Scottish Women's Football League, Scottish Women's Premier League and other league divisions.
Scotland hosted the first organised games of women's football in 1881,[1] and the sport became popular in the 1920s, attracting crowds of thousands. Women's football was banned from English Football Association grounds in 1921; the Scottish Football Association (SFA) did not follow suit, although it was not supportive. The leading team during this era, Rutherglen Ladies F.C., existed from 1921 to 1939.[2]
The SWFA was founded in 1972, when six teams met and decided to form an Association: Aberdeen Prima Donnas, Cambslang Hooverettes, Dundee Strikers, Edinburgh Dynamos, Westthorn United and Stewarton Thistle.[3] [4]
Initially, the SFA opposed the formation of the SWFA, but in 1974, it recognised the new association. However, the SWFA remained small, with membership in the 1970s peaking at 14 teams. In 1992, it introduced coaching courses, and in 1996 it began organising junior and school football. In 1998, it affiliated to the SFA.
The association stated that its purpose was, "To promote, foster and develop, in all its branches without discrimination against any organisation or person for reason of race, religion or politics, the game of Association Football for women/girls" (2003).[5] Among its aims in 2021 was, "A game that realises the needs, wants and unlimited ambitions of its girls and women."[6]
This association consists of: