, external<\/span><\/a> football is now the number one sport in Scotland among girls and women, with participation levels rising by 23% in the past two years – overtaking tennis for the first time – the national team boss stressed the importance to capitalise on the momentum across all levels of the game.<\/p>\n“We saw what major tournament qualification can do in 2017 and 2019, and it’s our responsibility to keep growing that and building on that,” the former Australia assistant said. <\/p>\n
“Why stop when physical activity has so many health benefits, physically, socially, mentally? <\/p>\n
“The world’s getting tougher, it’s quite easy to get lonely, isolated and lose connection and I think football is a fantastic vehicle for reconnecting humans with each other.<\/p>\n
“So we have an opportunity when we do it again in 2027 to take that opportunity and accelerate the game and make it in front of everybody on TV, radio, in ticket sales – everyone getting behind this team like they have the men. <\/p>\n
“I can’t wait to see it because it’s inevitable.<\/p>\n
“What it means to all the staff and players, words can’t even describe it, but let me reassure everybody that we’re going to give everything – blood, sweat, tears to make this dream a reality and doing whatever it takes to get there.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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