Women’s Scottish Cup game looks to be on as kick-off confirmed
Meanwhile the Shetland Girls and Women’s Football Club has been awarded £1,000 in funding, which will go towards travel costs for U12 and U16 teams
SHETLAND Women’s football team look set to host the isles’ first ever Scottish Cup match this weekend after a kick-off time on Sunday was confirmed.
The match against Stewarton Annick Ladies FC in the first preliminary round of the cup is scheduled to get underway at the Gilbertson Park in Lerwick on Sunday at 2.45pm.
But the tie has been faced with uncertainty in recent weeks given the Ayrshire side’s high travel costs to get to Shetland.
This prompted Shetland’s opponents to launch a fundraising drive to secure more funds for the trip north.
The issue of high travel costs for playing in competitive matches, however, is nothing new to the Shetland sports teams who have to head the opposite way for games – including the women’s football club themselves.
Meanwhile Shetland Girls and Women’s Football Club has been awarded £1,000 in funding from ScottishPower.
The money will be used to help pay for U12 and U16 teams travel to Orkney for this year’s intercounty.
Club secretary Adam Priest said: “The club are grateful to receive the ScottishPower funding.
“It will be a major boost to both U12 and U16’s age groups to experience some competitive football versus girls in Orkney.”
Clachnacuddin, Fort William, Sutherland Women and Moray Girls have also received £1,000 each as part of ScottishPower’s grassroots funding initiative.
It forms part of the company’s support for the Highlands and Islands League, where it became the first-ever title sponsor through its partnership with Scottish Women’s Football (SWF).
Shetland won the Highlands and Islands League Cup in 2025 after a 7-0 victory over Sutherland in Nairn.
Meanwhile the local women’s team are gearing up to play the first Scottish Cup fixture held in Shetland.
Stewarton Annick Ladies FC previously said an invitation for Shetland to play the game in Aberdeen was turned down.
“Shetland explained that, as the home team, they wanted the opportunity to host the match in front of their own community, avoid additional costs, and continue raising the profile of women’s football on the islands,” Stewarton Annick said.
“We completely understand why Shetland want to play the game at home and, to be fair, it is their home tie. We appreciate how important it is for them to showcase women’s football within their own community.”
The Ayrshire club said flights for 19 people were quoted at more than £14,000.
It had said that due to work commitments ideally the team would arrive and leave Shetland on the same day.
The Shetland club responded in a statement that it commended Stewarton for looking to travel north for the match.
The club said it spent more than £42,000 last season alone on travel, which equated to six trips south for the women and one trip each for under-23s and under-16s.
A bonus ball style fundraiser held by Stewarton has raised £3,500 towards the trip, with the winning number recently picked out by former Scotland and Italy international Rose Reilly.
During a livestream Reilly said it was a “fantastic opportunity” for Stewarton in what she described as a massive game.
Manager Kris Wales also said the Ayrshire side will be looking to make sure it is a “journey to remember”.
He said after the draw was made there were concerns that his team would not be able to fulfil the future, but things are looking more positive after fundraising plans were put in place.
During the livestream, which was held on Friday, it was said that Shetland’s opponents are still a bit short in terms of fundraising, with businesses encouraged to consider sponsorship.
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:
- Removal of third-party ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
