Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland Kicks Off Women’s Football Programme with the Scottish Football Association

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and the Scottish FA have teamed up to deliver free recreational football sessions for women across Scotland, aimed at getting more women playing the sport and taking part in physical activity.

In Scotland, heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for women, killing nearly three times as many women compared to breast cancer. There are over 90,000 women living with heart disease in the country.  Taking part in regular exercise is one of the best ways of improving heart health.

The weekly recreational football sessions run by the Scottish FA and sponsored by Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland are now up and running across the country.  The recreational sessions are open to open to women aged 16 and above who are keen to play football on a regular basis with other women in their local area. The sessions are the next phase in the charity’s partnership with the Scottish FA that launched in April of this year.

CHSS and the Scottish FA are keen to encourage an additional 25000 women into football over their four-year partnership to experience the benefits of regular exercise on their mental and physical health and improve their health outcomes.

The partnership will also see CHSS provide regular health information updates to players participating in the recreational programme.

Jane-Claire Judson, Chief Executive of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland commented: “We are thrilled to be launching the next phase of our partnership with the Scottish FA that will see more women enjoying the benefits of playing football.

“Taking part in team sport is fantastic for both mental and physical health.  We want to empower women to take time for themselves to enjoy sport and improve their overall wellbeing.

“Every year in Scotland we lose thousands of women to heart disease.  At CHSS we’re committed to improving health outcomes for women across the country, and our partnership with the Scottish FA is an example of our commitment in action.”

Shirley Martin, Head of Women and Girls’ Football at the Scottish FA said: “We are absolutely delighted to have Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland onboard as our new partner for the women’s recreational football programme.

“Through the power of football, we can offer more women the opportunity to get active while also sharing vital health education messages across communities in Scotland around symptoms to do with chest, heart disease and stroke but also how to react to those symptoms.   Together, we aim to inspire positive change, promoting both physical and mental well-being.”

Rhona Booth, 46, is a mum of two teenage daughters. A chartered surveyor, she lives near Carnoustie. In early 2023, Rhona suffered a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) while on a family skiing holiday in Switzerland.

In October 2023, a colleague persuaded her to come along to women’s recreational football at Carnoustie Panmure FC. One session and Rhona, who had never kicked a ball before, was hooked.

She says: “I had made a good recovery from the TIA. I’m still not sure what caused it, but it was probably stress as I’m a professional worrier.

“My colleague mentioned recreational football and how good it had been for her. I knew I needed to do something for my own fitness, but I also wanted something that was just for me. And I found that in these Sunday night sessions.

“I love it. I have no idea about the rules of the game. All I know is that I turn up every week and have great fun. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly. I’ve made a whole load of new friends – I didn’t even know I was in the market for new friends! It’s been amazing.

“I even got my first pair of football boots for Christmas last year from my daughter as I’d been wearing her old ones.

“The sessions are not about ability but about joining in. I love everything about the whole programme. I do think I’m a good example of how someone can get a bit fitter and become involved in something special.

“Because this is special. Sam has made something wonderful. I would do anything for these women, and I know they’d do the same for me.”

Sam Milne is the Scottish FA’s Club Development Officer for girls’ and women’s football, covering Tayside and Fife. A former professional footballer, she had to quit the game early because of a major knee injury. She was inspired to start the recreational sessions at her local club in Carnoustie while watching the Women’s World Cup in 2019.

She says: “I really missed football after having to give up the game. I advertised for women to come along and 75 turned up for that first session. We’ve built from there to point where we have around 45 women come along every Sunday for coaching and a game.

“Rhona is an inspiration. There are other players there who are faster and fitter and better at the game, but no one is more dedicated to the group than Rhona. No matter what, she is there every Sunday and having the best time.

“We make our own rules. No one needs to know football inside out to take part. It’s about having a kickabout, a bit of fun, moving more and getting a bit fitter. It might be your cholesterol is a bit high or you want to lose weight or you just need company.

“There’s a place for you in recreational football. Women of all ages, all shapes and sizes, are welcome.”

To find out more about the Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland Women’s Recreational Football Programme visit Scottish Football Association – Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (chss.org.uk) 

To find out more about how CHSS is supporting women’s health visit www.chsswomenshealth.org