WILL CLARK: Caithness Ladies are on to a winner promoting game in far north
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CAITHNESS Ladies deserve all the credit that comes their way for reaching the Highlands and Islands League Cup final for the first time in their history.
A 3-1 victory over Sutherland at Castletown two weeks ago means they can now look forward to their first cup final against holders and league champions Buckie on Sunday, September 24.
As far as I am aware at the time of going to press, the venue has yet to be confirmed.
But wherever the final is being played, I hope that the team have a massive support following them down the road to wherever it is being played.
It has been five years since I left the John O’Groat Journal, but during my time working in the county, I was always impressed with the way Caithness Ladies provided opportunities for women and girls in the far north to play in football.
I remember covering Caithness Ladies’ playing their first ever home match in the Scottish Cup.
In May 2016, they played Dunfermline Athletic in front of over 300 fans at The Dammies in what was a great occasion for women’s football.
Caithness did lose the match 16-2, although they were level at 2-2 early in the game.
But during those days, Caithness Ladies’ only real opportunity to play a competitive football match was in the Scottish Cup, which was usually only one match a year. However they also had the opportunity to play at football festivals.
However, Caithness did go on to enter the league system, first in the SWFA North Division, before going on to be part of the Highlands and Islands League, which was established in 2019.
In the four years of the league’s existence, not counting the Covid years, Caithness have always been a competitive outfit, despite not being title challengers yet.
However, the fact they have reached the Highlands and Islands League Cup final for the first time shows that the women’s game in the far north is moving in the right direction.
The club has made great strides under former Wick Academy manager Tom McKenna, who is also manager of Castletown in the Caithness First Division and the Caithness county men’s teams.
He is an incredibly busy man, but full credit must go to him for his passion to help introduce and grow the women’s game in the far north.
He also hopes that with Caithness reaching the Highlands and Islands League Cup final, it will boost the profile of the women’s game in the far north. He spoke of his desire to increase opportunities for girls and women to play football in the county as he says they are the only real avenue which exists at the moment.
Women’s football is the fastest growing sport in the world, receiving coverage which has been unprecedented compare to a decade ago.
The final day of the Scottish Women’s Premier League, when crowds of over 10,000 were at Ibrox for Rangers v Glasgow City and Celtic Park for Celtic v Hearts and broadcast live on BBC Alba shows how strong interest is in the women’s game.
Caithness Ladies are doing a fantastic job trying to promote the game in the county.
With the determination which exists at the club, the women’s game in the far north is in good hands. Whatever the result in the cup final in September, women’s football in Caithness looks to be on to a winner.
