How women's football is on the rise again in Shetland

Shetland has won the ScottishPower Highlands and Islands League Cup after playing in the competition for the first time.

The team from the Northern Isles lifted the trophy following a 7-0 victory over 2021's champions Sutherland from the Highlands.

The win has rounded off a busy year for Shetland, a relative newcomer to Scotland's senior women's game.

It is fair to say women's football in Shetland has had its share of ups and downs.

There was a spike in interest after Shetland hosted the International Island Games in the summer of 2005.

Football was one of the events during the week-long multi-sport competition which brought 24 island groups together from around the world.

There was a senior league in Shetland but it came to an end in the early 2010s.

Then, in 2017, a new generation of players and coaches started from scratch, gaining Scottish Women's Football affiliation as a girls' club in 2021.

Three years later, the girls' and women's teams joined forces to form Shetland Girls & Women's Football Club.

Now the women's game is the healthiest it has been for many years in the islands.

Shetland Women's 2005 Island Games squad

Shetland women competed at the 20th International Island Games in Orkney.

The team was in a tough group with opposition from larger islands including Isle of Wight, Jersey and 2023 gold medallists Bermuda.

In temperatures averaging 20C, Shetland battled hard to prove it was ready to play against experienced teams.

A highlight was a play-off match for seventh spot in which Shetland picked up its first win against Norwegian island, Hitra, beating them 2-1.

Reflecting on the Island Games, one of Shetland's four coaches Carrie Morrison - who played in the 2005 Games – said: "We've put a lot into establishing the girls' and women's game.

"I think we've surprised a lot of people.

"Competition-wise, we know where we have to get to, and we'll work on that."

Long journeys

Getting as many regular matches as possible is of high importance to the club, as almost 220 miles (354km) separates Shetland from the Scottish mainland, and travelling for team sports is not cheap.

But these challenges do not deter captain Rhea Nicolson.

She said: "I just feel lucky to be a part of the women's team at the minute. There's been a boost in interest, which brings a buzz to the squad."

There is not a women's league in the isles yet, so games are played against an under-16 boys team.

Rhea said: "Any team needs to get game time, it's not something that we can get here in Shetland, so we have to go south."

Shetland's 2025 Island Games squad

Cup competitions offer the chance to play against other female clubs.

Shetland hosted this year's Inter-County Cup against Orkney and won 8-0 in Scalloway.

On the way to the League Cup final against Sutherland, Shetland chalked up big wins in the group stages against Orkney and Clachnacuddin.

Caithness were also swept aside in the semi-final 7-2.

In the final, Rhea Nicolson scored just 40 seconds into the game before scoring again later.

Lisa Goudie netted two and Freya Leslie scored a hat-trick.

Scottish Women's Football chief executive Aileen Campbell was impressed by Shetland's performance.

She said: "It was tremendous to see Shetland etch their name on our trophy.

"They deserve great praise for their commitment and dedication to this cup and for all the hours of travel they have put in - we truly appreciate and value all the effort from players and volunteers alike."

It is hoped the win draws more girls to football.

Central midfielder Emily Veitch, who is a PE teacher at Lerwick's Anderson High School, said: "I went into my first year class on Monday morning, and they were all speaking about it.

"It's good to inspire the next generation as this is the sort of thing that women's football in Shetland needs."