SPFL Trust strengthens its community impact through new SPFL and SWPL partnership

The SPFL Trust has further established its reputation as a key player in Scotland’s football and community landscape through a new partnership with the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) and the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL).

The new collaboration will see the SPFL Trust benefit from enhanced visibility and promotional opportunities across some of Scottish football’s biggest stages including representation at flagship events such as the Sky Sports Cup, Premier Sports Cup, and KDM Evolution Trophy, as well as involvement in other major fixtures in the football calendar.

The agreement marks further significant steps forward in aligning the men’s and women’s professional games with the SPFL Trust’s mission, to harness the power of football for good.

The charity recently announced its new five-year strategy, including plans to support 50% more people, grow its focus on young people across Scotland, and partner with football related trusts outside the SPFL and SWPL for the first time.

This follows a strong period for the charity, supported by initiatives such as the four-year-sponsorship of the SPFL Trust Trophy, which ended earlier this year, and the success of the co-branded UNITED and UNSUNG content series, which shines a light on the diverse and often unheralded faces of Scottish football.

The new partnership aims to build on this momentum and continue celebrating the important role that football clubs and trusts play across the country, as they connect with and provide services for the communities in which they are based. Examples of their work include Football Fans in Training, Joy of Moving, and Festive Friends, which supports isolated and vulnerable people during winter.

Nicky Reid, SPFL Trust, chief executive said: “During our time as sponsor of the SPFL Trust Trophy, we’ve seen just how powerful it can be to shine a light on the work we do – whether that’s rewarding local volunteer coaches by having them take part in cup draws or celebrating the incredible efforts of the 46 community trusts we represent across the men’s and women’s game.

“This new partnership will play a key role in helping us share those stories even more widely, as we deliver on our new five-year strategy – such as supporting 50 per cent more people throughout Scotland and increasing our focus on young people across the country.”

Neil Doncaster, SPFL group chief executive said: “This partnership is a significant milestone in our role in supporting the incredible work of the SPFL Trust.

“Whether it be empowering any of the forty-six regional trusts or the nationwide campaigns that the charity enacts each year, to be able to support their growth and ability to help even more communities is very inspiring.

“All three organisations already work very closely together, but the formalisation of this partnership allows us to put in place long-term strategies which benefits all the recipients of the SPFL Trust’s work.”

Fiona McIntyre, SWPL, manging director said: “The women’s game is growing rapidly here in Scotland and the evolution of the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League and Sky Sports Cup in recent years have been very influential in increasing the participation levels of girls in football, delivering more opportunities for females to have a professional career in the game and encouraging more fans than ever to watch the SWPL.

“This partnership will support us in giving back to local communities and will help raise the profile of the clubs and players. It is of mutual benefit for all organisations and a partnership we are very proud to support.”