The Spartan 080821

Scottish Women’s Premier League Cup The Official Matchday Programme

Sunday 8th of August 2021 Ainslie Park Stadium 12.30pm KO

Friends Legal are the main kit sponsor of Spartans Women FC, supplying all our kit requirements including our home strip and match day and training apparel. Friends legal are a specialist personal injury law practice. The team at Friends Legal try and make access to legal services as straightforward as possible by promoting a friendly approach.

Tony O’Malley, Managing Partner of Friends Legal, said: “At Friends Legal we strongly believe in the power of community to achieve great things so we are delighted to continue our partnership with Spartans Scottish Women’s Premier League team . It is also part of our philosophy to give something back. Spartans were able to demonstrate a clear vision for their club, along with clearly defined values that they wished to promote.”

We are extremely grateful for the continued support received from Friends Legal. For expert advice please call Friends Legal on 0141 442 0610 or visit www.friends-legal.co.uk

Home Ground

Medical Staff

Ainslie Park (Capacity 2,400 / 504 Seated) The Spartans Community Football Academy 94 Pilton Drive, Edinburgh EH5 2HF Tel: 0131-552-7854 E-mail: info@spartanscfa.com

Marcin Szostak Club Physiotherapist Amy Young Matchday Physiotherapist Toni Fraser Matchday Physiotherapist

SWPL Team Staff Debbi McCulloch Head Coach Scott Noble Assistant Head Coach Katie Reilly Assistant Coach Colin Osbourne GK Coach Jude Watson Team Chaplain Mel Crolla Team Chaplain Liz McMahon Club Secretary John Douglas Club Photographer James Lambert Matchday Operations Adam Smith Team Manager Amy Hogg Media Officer Robyn Dunn Sports Nutritionist Liam Thomson Video Analyst

U19’s NPL Team Staff Alfie Smith Head Coach Michael Cranston Assistant Head Coach Charlene Lessells GK Coach Jason Cross Team Secretary

Girls Academy Daniel Blyth U17’s Head Coach Aaron Hunter U15’s Head Coach Stephen Burnett U15’s Head Coach

Club Information Website: www.spartansfcwomen.com Twitter: @spartansfcwomen Facebook: @spartansfcwomen Instagram: spartans_womens_fc

’ Today we welcome Gary and his players to Ainslie Park for our first SWPL Cup match and let me take this opportunity to congratulate Gary, his staff and players on successfully winning promotion to SWPL 1. With increased investment in SWPL 2, getting out of the division below will become increasingly difficult for clubs, therefore Hamilton’s achievement and progress should not be underestimated.

Pre-season has went well, with the glorious weather presenting us with unusual, but much welcomed challenges. Normal circumstances would see us undertake pre-season during the months of January and February where keeping everyone warm is always a priority. Now we are faced with the opposite challenge...keeping players cool and hydrated. On the plus side, the good weather has given us additional time to spend on shaping and set pieces. Additionally, having access to our own facility means simple, but important recovery methods can be undertaken safely, such as regular ice baths. My thanks to The Academy team who continue to go that extra mile for us off the park.

The work rate and attitude from every player has been fantastic over the past five weeks and I definitely feel we are ready to compete and will kick off the new season in good shape. We have invested heavily on and off the pitch this season to give the players the best opportunity to be the best they can be. I would like to thank the FC Board, and specifically Craig Graham and Scott Davidson, for their trust, support and belief, and for recognising the importance of the SWPL team to the club.

On the player front, we have a full squad to choose from today apart from Caley Gibb who is serving a suspension picked up from last season. Elena and Christie continue to make good progress with their rehab with both targeting a return to competitive action later on this year. Our four new signings have settled in well and have provided increased competition in key areas.

It’s great to have everyone back at Ainslie Park this afternoon. Your support matters greatly to all of us.

Here’s to another successful, exciting season! Enjoy the game! #DBDF Debbi McCulloch Debbi McCulloch

Photo courtesy of Craig Doyle Media

Welcome to Spartans During the close season, Head Coach Debbi McCulloch, has been busy off the park strengthening the squad for the forthcoming season. With Michaela McAlonie departing the club to join close rivals Hibernian Women, and Bobbie Beveridge retiring, key recruitment areas were identified by McCulloch and her staff.

First through the door was full back Ellie Simpson from Stirling University swiftly followed by attacking winger Jade Stenhouse from Hutchison Vale. Both returning to the club after short spells away. Next up we welcomed striker Rosie McQuillan from Rangers Women and finally defender Lisa Ryan from Forfar Farmington.

Head Coach Debbi McCulloch had this to say about the new recruits: “The new players have settled in really well. We were patient with our recruitment this year as we wanted to make sure we signed the right players and people for the team. There is no doubt all four players strengthen our squad and will provide additional competition for the players from last season.

We want to have a competitive team here at Spartans and also appreciate the level of depth a squad requires to have to be able to compete at this level” Welcome to the Spartans Family Ellie, Jade, Lisa and Rosie!

Katie Frew

Roots, Shoots & Scores Our Roots, Shoots and Scores project is going from strength to strength. Since October 2020, The Academy and ReThinkFood have been on a sustainable food journey with Primary 6 pupils from Granton and St David’s primary schools in Edinburgh.

Through our project, Roots, Shoots and Scores, pupils have gone on a voyage of discovery! We've planted seeds using state of the art growing tower technology, looked at the UN Sustainable Development Goals, discussed climate change and even been part of a social enterprise as part of the project.

Pupils have learned new skills from growing food to business awareness and have increased their confidence and resilience. To supplement our classroom project, Spartans have worked in partnership with global NGO Coaches Across Continents to create play-based activities that enhance learning for the participants. These activities take each of the classroom sessions outdoors and create an environment which inspires problem-solving and critical thinking. From looking at population change to being part of a social enterprise, each outdoor session reiterates key messages from the classroom and enables the participants to consolidate learning.

Neil Innes, Class Teacher at Granton Primary School commented: "Doing virtual lessons with Rethink Food, growing produce in a sustainable way through a growing tower, learning about the importance of the 17 UN sustainable development goals and the teamwork the class have shown to distribute food to other classes at Granton PS have all been amazing experiences for the children."

The collaboration of like-minded organisations such as Rethink Food and Coaches Across Continents has made our Roots, Shoots and Scores project a powerful learning vehicle giving young people the opportunity to develop key skills and look at ways to address critical global issues. With support from Baillie Gifford and Walter Scott this project really is a great way to help us make our world a better place and to ensure that we can continue to be Here for Good.

Position

Team

Played

Won

Draw

Lose

GD

Points

1

Rangers Women F.C.

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

Glasgow City F.C.

0

0

0

0

0

0

3

Celtic F.C.

0

0

0

0

0

0

4

Hibernian F.C.

0

0

0

0

0

0

5

Spartans F.C.

0

0

0

0

0

0

6

Forfar Farmington F.C.

0

0

0

0

0

0

7

Motherwell F.C.

0

0

0

0

0

0

8

Hearts Women F.C.

0

0

0

0

0

0

9

Aberdeen F.C. Women

0

0

0

0

0

0

10

Hamilton Academical

0

0

0

0

0

0

Played

Won

Draw

Lose

GD

Points

Position

Team

1

Dundee United W.F.C.

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

Partick Thistle

0

0

0

0

0

0

3

St Johnstone W.F.C.

0

0

0

0

0

0

4

Glasgow Women F.C.

0

0

0

0

0

0

5

Queens Park

0

0

0

0

0

0

6

Boroughmuir Thistle

0

0

0

0

0

0

7

Kilmarnock F.W.C

0

0

0

0

0

0

8

Stirling University W.F.C.

0

0

0

0

0

0

Lowland League | Students put to the sword as Henderson bags brace Blair Henderson’s second half double saw Spartans end a seven day spell with maximum points and three clean sheets as Dougie Samuel’s side beat Stirling University 0-2 at Forthbank Stadium.

After a pair of four goal victories, Spartans went into the game with momentum behind them however it was the Students who had the better of the early exchanges however neither keeper were troubled in the opening quarter of an hour. The first chance of the game came from the boot of Jamie Dishington who sent a 25 yard rasper just past the scrambling Stirling keeper’s post.

A (rather weak) claim for a Stirling penalty wasn’t entertained by Referee Dallas as the home side looked to make progress as the first half wore on.

A snapshot from Blair Henderson was the last of the opportunities, but his effort saw the ball settle in the empty vacuum of the terracing behind the goal.

Half Time: Stirling University 0-0 The Spartans The second half Spartans goal show took all of 60 seconds to start after the 45 minutes of trailers and a Fast & Furious 9 Blair Henderson was lurking in the box to take receipt of Mikey Allan’s cross to thunder home.

A neat one-two saw Jamie Dishington denied by a decent save to extend the lead as Spartans turned up the temperature as the sunshine offered the same, bursting through the Stirling clouds.

Gregor Woods was next to enter the fray, as he swapped places with Sam Newman on the hour mark.

His first move was to make his way towards Blair Henderson to celebrate his second goal of the afternoon.

Scott Maxwell sent the ball beyond the Student defence to capture Jamie Dishington on the wing, he raced towards the by-line before sending in a teasing low cross which found Henderson lurking at the back post and the striker’s telescopic legs reached out to slide home.

Full Time: Stirling University 0-2 The Spartans

Photos courtesy of Craig Doyle Media

1. Alicia YATES (GK) 2. Louise MASON 3. Sarah CLELLAND 4. Simone MCMAHON 5. Dion MCMAHON 6. Ellie SIMPSON 7. Lisa RYAN 8. Katie FREW 9. Ronaigh DOUGLAS 10. Jade STENHOUSE 11. Alana MARSHALL © 13. Rachel HARRISON (GK) 14. Tegan REYNOLDS 15. Caley Gibb 16. Rosie MCQUILLAN 17. Robyn MCCAFFERTY 18. Rebecca GAILBRAITH 19. Elena SANTOYO-BROWN 21. Christie KERR

1. Sarah RHIND (GK) 2. Rachel ROSS 3. Megan QUINN © 4. Hannah COAKLEY 5. Georgie MCTEAR 6. Kirstie MCINTOSH 7. Chloe MUIR 8. Megan QUIGLEY 10. Nichola STURROCK 11. Ellie KANE 12. Hannah SCOTT 13. Lauren EVANS 16. Fiona CULLIE 19. MT GARDINER 23. Josi GIARD 24. Tara MCGONIGLE 25. Megan WANDS 26. Lucy SINCLAIR

24. Katherine SMART 25. Katie REILLY

www.spartansfcwomen.com