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Game changers: the inspiring players at the forefront of the Scottish female football revolution

1 November 2017

Scotland’s women's team made history when they took part in their first European Football Championships in 2017.

While they , the game in Scotland has never been stronger.

Participation has grown rapidly in the last 10 years, and now over 11,000 young women and girls are playing football.

Scotland’s Game Changers followed some of the stars of the squad as they prepared for the Euros.

So who are players inspiring the growth of the game?

Lisa spent time with German giants Bayern Munich

Age: 25
From: Perth
Club team: Arsenal

As a young child, thought her footballing abilities meant that she would be able to play in the men’s league.

But the Perth-born winger has grown up to play for some of the biggest teams in world football.

The 25-year-old now plays for Arsenal, but has spent several years playing for German giants Bayern Munich.

She says, “It’s a different mentality in Germany, it’s just second nature that girls play football at a professional level.

“The opportunities are out there to go and play professionally, maybe not in Scotland yet, but hopefully it will be one day.

“It’s benefitted us as a national team having players abroad.”

Erin (left) shares a flat with her Chelsea teammates

Age: 19
From: Irvine
Club team: Chelsea

moved to London to pursue her footballing dreams.

The Irvine-born midfielder now plays for Chelsea and, aged just 18, was in the squad when they won the Women’s Super League.

At Chelsea Erin is surrounded by world class players.

She says there’s no place for self-doubt. “You can’t have time to say am I good enough to be around here? You’ve got to say ‘yes I am good enough’.

“You’ve got to be driven, if you want something you go and get it. I knew that I wanted to play football so I was willing to do anything it took to get there.

“Some people wrote me off. They said, ‘she can’t play football she’s a girl’, but that only motivates you more, makes you even more determined to be a better player.”

Jo plays her club football with Glasgow City

Age: 31
From: Paisley
Club team: Glasgow City

Midfielder has had a long and distinguished Scotland career. In her 15 years with the team she has earned 179 caps.

Jo, who’s from Paisley, plays domestically with Scotland’s most successful women’s club, Glasgow City. But unlike Lisa and Erin, she balances football with a full time career.

By day Jo is a scientist working in a lab, but her evenings and weekends are all about the beautiful game.

Former Scotland Head Coach Anna Signeul admires Jo's dedication, “Jo lives and breathes football, she loves football, that’s her passion in life, and she’s invested her whole life in football”.

Jo says, “I live for the game day”.

“If you enjoy something you should just go for it. It’s really endless the joy that you can feel from something that you just love doing.”