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Sponsorship deal shares US scholarship opportunities for women’s soccer players even wider

By StevieMac

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MAY 31: An Adidas soccer ball sits on the field during the match between the Columbus Crew and the Colorado Rapids at Lower.com Field on May 31, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus defeated Colorado 3-2. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - MAY 31: An Adidas soccer ball sits on the field during the match between the Columbus Crew and the Colorado Rapids at Lower.com Field on May 31, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus defeated Colorado 3-2. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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A new partnership between a US-based scouting service for rising young stars and Scottish women’s soccer has supported two exciting cup tournaments along the way.

In February this year, a sponsorship deal and partnership was announced between FirstPoint USA and Scottish Women’s Football (SWF). FirstPoint offers bespoke scholarships and mentoring across top US universities. SWF owns and manages the top women’s soccer competitions in Scotland.

The deal saw two regional Scottish women’s soccer cups for age 18s being rebranded as the First Point East League Cup and the First Point West League Cup. Four teams progressed through the rounds to reach the two regional East and West Cup finals a few days ago. In the East, Jeanfield Swifts beat Penicuik Athletic 3-2. In the West, it was Glasgow City who triumphed 5-1 over local rivals Glasgow Girls.

During the past season, SWF has shown its caring side for players and fans by taking action over concerns about the effects of alcohol on young players. They used the cup finals to launch new pitch-side banners supporting their closely held values of love, respect and equality.

Amazing career opportunity in women’s soccer

The partnership with FirstPoint USA continues the overall caring-for-players approach by SWF. The exciting growth of women’s soccer in Scotland gives youngsters a realistic opportunity for a playing career that their predecessors could only have dreamt of. FirstPoint can help open doors for them to play US college soccer while studying for a degree.

SWF CEO Aileen Campbell said at the February launch:

"“Football equips young women with all kinds of skills and experiences that can help them in later life, but it also opens up opportunities too. Increased professionalism in Scotland means girls can actually dream about careers in the game, and there are opportunities to travel and study abroad too, such as those offered by FirstPoint USA.”"

To continue the international link, FirstPoint was founded in 2001 by Andrew Keane, a Scottish footballer who has benefitted from opportunities in the US himself. Keane featured in US college soccer with the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2010. It’s great to have an entrepreneur able to provide such support for young women in his homeland too through this partnership.

Check out our NWSL hub page for more news, analysis, opinion and unique women’s soccer coverage. And don’t forget to follow FOR(E) on Twitter, FanSided’s home for women’s sports.

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