Stars turn out at Hampden for ScottishPower Scottish Women’s Football Awards

Honours were handed out at a star-studded ScottishPower Scottish Women’s Football Awards ceremony at Hampden Park.

The 2023/24 SWPL title run was recognised with the champions Celtic picking up ScottishPower SWPL Coach of the Year for Elena Sadiku, who joined the club midway through the season and clinched the title on the final day. Playmaker Amy Gallacher, who scored the winning goal that day, was named MG Alba SWPL1 Player of the Year.

Queen’s Park skipper Ellie Kane was awarded the MG Alba SWPL2 Player of the Year, while the Players of the Year in the Barclays Championship and League One were Rossvale’s Megan Whiteford and Stenhousemuir’s Eva Ralston, respectively.

Double-winning Rossvale were also recognized when manager Julie McSherry picked up the Barclays Championship and League One Coach of the Year.

Rangers starlet Laura Berry won the SportScotland Youth Player of the Year after making an impressive impact since going on loan at Motherwell, and Hamilton’s Josie Giard picked up the Kat Lindner Award for Athletic and Academic Achievement.

ScottishPower Youth Team of the Year was won by Ross County 18s, MF Mac Youth Coach of the Year was Bayside’s Paul Murray, Avia Signs SWFL Coach of the Year was Inverurie Locos manager Stuart Wood, and RJM Sports SWFL Player of the Year was Armadale Thistle’s Katie Hay.

Aston Villa midfielder Kirsty Hanson was named International Player of the Year, and Aberdeenshire side Westdyke were awarded the ScottishPower Sustainable Club of the Year.

Rangers midfielder, activist, and historian Tessel Middag was given the Val McDermid Spirit of SWF award in recognition of her research into the challenging formation of the women’s game in Scotland in the 1970s and for her ability to speak out on issues such as the potential hosting of the World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

In her welcoming address, Scottish Women’s Football chair Vivienne Maclaren said: “These awards celebrate the commitment, passion, and achievement at every level of the game we all love, including those who can often be overlooked – the work that goes on to keep clubs going, the women who juggle football with work, life, and caring responsibilities. The volunteers who provide opportunities for young women to play.”