Today in OTB, I'm speaking to Maureen McGonigle, Executive Administrator for Scottish Women’s Football.  What has women's football got to do with us?  I hear you asking.  As an amateur football association, like ourselves, the Women's FA faces the same challenges and stumbling blocks as the Menfolk and I thought it would be interesting and illuminating to hear how the women deal with these challenges.  Here's Maureen's answers to On the Bench...







G: How long have you been in your current role?

M: Some say too long!  However Fifteen Years full time – three years part time prior to that.

G: When did you first get involved in amateur football and what were you doing?

M: There was a job opportunity to work with the Women's Association part time – however due to the quick growth of the women's game, they required a full time Administrator and in 1993 I was appointed full time.

G: What amateur teams have you been involved in and in what capacity?

M: I deal with all teams in membership of SWF – We have a National Premier league, National 1st and 2nd Division and a third North and South in senior football.  We have 6 Regions currently running 17’s, 15’s and 13’s and we intend to introduce 11’s from this season.

G: Do you feel the amateur football scene has changed since you first became involved with it?

M: Majorly and for the better where girls/women are concerned – there is more support from all bodies and a higher profile within the media.  Yet we still have a long way to go to complete with the likes of Germany – their women's national team have their games televised live and play in front of crowds of up to 30,000.

G: Do you have a favourite amateur team and why is it your favourite?

M: Well – being brought up in Clydebank I was always aware how good a team Drumchapel Amateurs were, and I believe they still are.

G: What’s your most memorable moment in amateur football?

M: Really there are so many that I have been fortunate to be part of – however the women’s international team have consistently improved their game and are now ranked 26th in the World – I have been at most of their games and every one of them is an emotional journey.

G: What do you think about the quality of amateur football?

M: Really under-rated – when you think the price people pay to watch professional football – they could follow their amateur team and see some good quality games.

G: Which team provided the best post-match hospitality? (who served the best pies?)

M: Again – I would need to go back to the National Team for the best hospitality and believe it or not Ukraine came out tops – for a poor country the had the most magnificent spread.  As for pies well I just love pies – so that’s a difficult one for me!!!

G: What was the last game you watched?

M: Scotland V Ukraine – crunch match for Scotland who had they won would have had the opportunity to go into the play offs for the UEFA Champs in Finland next year – unfortunately Ukraine won by one goal.

G: What was the last game you played in?

M: Had to admit to never having played football except... once I played in a charity match – many years ago – but that is of course confidential information!!!!!!  I didn’t have a clue – still don’t!

G: If you had 3 wishes, what would you change about Scottish amateur football?

M: (1) The distribution of funds into the ANAs from all sources; (2) Representation at the top level within Scottish Football Association; and (3) A more unified approach from all football bodies ensuring that football for all in Scotland is well looked after and flourishing.

G: What do you think about summer football?

M: There is obviously a case for summer football for many areas – however the term is slightly misleading.  A lot of work will have to be undertaken before it becomes a reality for the majority in Scotland.

G: Have you any views about the relationship of the professional game to the amateur game?

M: Yes – I believe the professional game should help support the Amateur game – a lot of players who make it through come through the ranks of some of the Amateur Associations whether it is schools, youths or the Amateurs.

G: What do you think the future holds for Scottish amateur football?

M: That’s a difficult one to answer.  There are a lot of good things happening at grass-roots level which will take time to come to fruition.  Given that they are nurtured in the right manner, it could be a positive future.  It is still the major participation sport for Scotland.

G: Have you any comments on grounds and facilities?

M: Shocking is the first comment – we need to put ore work into the infrastructure of football at recreational level.

G: Are there any other comments you would like to make?

M: Yes – I would like to say to all the Amateur guys out there – go on support your local woman/girls team.  You will be surprised at the level of skill and dedication of the players.  Perhaps you could even strike up a partnership to help each other!





Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule, Maureen, that was interesting and I'm sure a lot of our guys will find plenty to discuss there, from national organisation to the best pies in the Ukraine.  Maybe their wives/girlfriends/daughters will even take up women's football.  I''m also wondering if there's any possibility of teams/associations working together to improve some of the facilities as this seems to be a problem everyone is facing.