Clubs have been asked to profile inspirational women, including committee members, physiotherapists, administrators, volunteers or supporters to show their commitment to ending sexist abuse.

The campaign is part of a month-long celebration of International Women’s Day. Football in Galashiels is proud that the first player to progress through its Junior pathway to achieve international recognition is Morgan Turner, who now plays for Hibs Ladies.

Morgan was recently part of the Scotland Under 16 team that competed in a tournament in Portugal.

Chair of the club’s Junior section, Jane Greene, highlighted that at youth and junior levels women play a central role in ensuring that clubs can provide youngsters with a platform to train and play football.

Jane said; “Since the formation of Galadean Junior Football Club in 2007 it has been primarily women volunteers that have dealt with the vast amount of administration required to run a football club with 150 players.

“It has been women that have taken central roles in the fundraising and organisational efforts that are required to support the club as well as taking coaching roles, ordering merchandise and training kit and planning presentation days and Christmas parties.

“It is great to see that Gala Fairydean Rovers FC wish to recognise the importance of women to the overall running of football in the town and are supporting the initiative by Women in Football.” Women play a central role at Gala Fairydean Rovers. Three members of the club’s Executive Committee are female, treasurer Susan Swan, sponsorship coordinator Sharon George and reserve team liaison and merchandise manager Debi Ritchie.

The Chair of the Junior section is Jane Greene, catering manager is Kerry McGurk, first team physiotherapist is Karen Feeney, the programme designer is Karen Galbraith, youth and there area junior administrators like Margot Chandler, Sharon Bell and Angie Temple, there are junior coaches like Saphire Oswald, match day helpers like Karen Redpath, youth and junior players as well as lots of committed supporters all prove that women are central to the functioning of the club.

Anna Kessel, chair of Women in Football, said: “Women represent half the population and half the talent. They deserve to belong to football with equal recognition in the boardroom, workforce and as supporters. While we recognise progress is being made there are still too many barriers to women’s progression in the industry and acceptance by the sport. That is why we are asking clubs to champion female talent as well as raise awareness of sexist abuse and discrimination and how those affected can report it in a bid to bring about a change in attitudes.”  Gala Fairydean Rovers are proud to play a part in the campaign that hopes to make sexist abuse and chants as unacceptable as those that are racist, homophobic or sectarian.