ScottishPower has extended its support for women’s football in the Highlands and Islands ahead of the new 2025 season kick off.
The title sponsor of the ScottishPower Women’s Highlands and Islands League, which kicks off this Sunday, now also sponsors the League Cup, increasing the prize money available to clubs.
The extension was marked with a photoshoot and film at iconic Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness, and is the latest development in the landmark three-year Principal Partnership deal, dedicated to energising women’s football at every age and stage across Scotland.
Scottish Women’s Football CEO Aileen Campbell said: “We’ve seen that women’s football in the Highlands and Islands comes with very specific challenges when it comes to things like travel and sustainability. That’s why additional support from our Principal Partner ScottishPower showcases their commitment to providing support for the women’s game from the grassroots up.
“I am particularly excited to see Shetland Women join the league cup this year, building on the momentum they are taking into the Island Games. This kind of development is only possible because of support of partners like ScottishPower and through mutual support between our clubs.”
Julie Keough, Brand Director at ScottishPower, said: “Our backing of women’s football in Scotland, whether through SWF or SWPL, extends right across the country, and from grassroots all the way to elite.
“We were thrilled to be the first ever sponsor of the Highlands & Islands league last year, and it’s with thanks to everyone across the game for their hard work and dedication that we’re now able to extend our support to the cup too.
“It’s also incredibly important to us to help level the playing field for clubs, and we recognise the challenges that those out with the central belt can face, particularly when it comes to access to funding, equipment and facilities. That’s why I’m delighted to open up our funding competition for a second year to help support those clubs who need it most.”
Northern rivals Sutherland and Caithness face off on the opening day, Sunday 30 March, while League Cup holders Buckie Ladies visit Inverness to take on Clachnacuddin and Nairn St Ninian head to Orkney.
And in a landmark development, the ScottishPower Highlands and Islands League Cup will also be joined this year for the first time by Shetland Women. Shetland were one of the four teams to benefit from extra funding through the 2024 ScottishPower funding competition, which helped the club with travel costs. Other recipients included Caithness, who used the funding to purchased video analysis equipment, Buckie Ladies, who were supported to extend women’s toilet facilities, and Brora Rangers, who were provided with kit for their youth pathway.
In 2025 the funding competition will be extended so that six teams can win a grant to help with a specific costs. Applications for the fund can be made via the SWF website.
The ScottishPower Highlands and Islands League 2025 season kicks off on Sunday 30 March with the following fixtures:
Sutherland v Caithness
Clachnacuddin v Buckie Ladies
Orkney v Nairn St Ninian
