Local girls’ football club, Cumnock Juniors, has scored vital new equipment for its players after being nominated for a prize giveaway from SWPL Principal Partner ScottishPower by Kilmarnock star Abby Robinson.
The renewable energy company is the exclusive Principal Partner for Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) and the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) and is dedicated to supporting the women’s game from grassroots to elite.
Cumnock is the latest grassroots club to benefit from its very own ‘Power Moment', receiving 6 x ScottishPower kit packages, including footballs, bibs, cones and water bottles.
The company also provided 10 pairs of brand-new football boots – helping remove some of the financial barriers that can prevent participation and inclusion in the women’s game.
Cumnock Juniors was nominated for the ScottishPower giveaway by Abby Robinson, midfielder from the SWPL2 team Kilmarnock and local PE teacher. Abby herself is active in inspiring youth players as a community coach, having made it through the club’s Leadership Academy.
She was joined at a Cumnock training session by Stuart McMillan, Ayrshire District General Manager at ScottishPower’s SP Energy Networks arm, to meet the U14s and hand over their new kit.
Abby, who still lives in Cumnock, said: “When I was growing up, there weren’t many opportunities for girls to play football here. I even trained with a boys’ team for a while. When you see the set-up that Cumnock Girls has now, it’s fantastic.
“Facilities were limited when I was young, and the hand-me-down kits were always far too big for me because I was quite small. Having their own kit packages now, thanks to ScottishPower, makes a real difference. It gives the girls a sense of pride and responsibility and helps them feel part of the team.
“It’s so important that girls feel included, especially at this stage of their football journey. Inclusion can make a huge difference to confidence and participation. It’s a real credit to ScottishPower for supporting young people and helping create opportunities for girls to enjoy the game.
“My advice to girls playing football today would be to always believe in yourself, keep striving to be the best version of yourself, and never give up. If you work hard and keep pushing forward, you can achieve great things.”
Cumnock Juniors Girls U14’s Head Coach Grace Carson added: “I’ve been coaching the girls here for around five years now, and it’s been fantastic to see the team I started with continue their journey through the age groups and progress to playing 11-a-side football.
“This current squad is incredibly talented, full of individual ability and a great group of girls to work with. The club has grown massively too. We started with just one team and now have around 10 teams, with more than 140 girls and women taking part. Our youngest player is just six years old, while our oldest is 70 and plays in our walking football team.
“A huge thank you to ScottishPower for providing this kit for our girls. It will make a real difference. We’re based in an area facing significant challenges, and having a club like this gives girls a place to come together, stay active and enjoy being part of a team. Having their own kit helps them feel a real sense of belonging and confidence and supports them on a pathway to achieve whatever they set their minds to.”
Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of ScottishPower, said: “Our goal as a company is to promote sustainability and inclusion, which . is why we work to energise the women’s game – breaking down existing barriers to facilitate growth, promote equality and inspire support for girls in sport for generations to come.
“Grassroots football is the heartbeat of our communities – this is why we must promote inclusivity so that girls have equal opportunities to play too. Our support helps to realise potential and recognise and grow the talent of the future, so it’s great to see Cumnock Juniors join our long list of Power Moment partners.”
From funding local, grassroots projects to building the infrastructure that will facilitate and stabilise Britain’s clean energy transition, ScottishPower is investing £18 million every day to build a better future. It's also a major employer in Scotland, offering exciting prospects and opportunities, with a key focus on encouraging more women to choose STEM careers.
ScottishPower’s active role in women’s sports works in tandem with that of its parent company, Iberdrola, whose support has reached an estimated 600,000 athletes so far.