We preview the SWPL season ahead of Sunday's kick-off
Friday 25 March 2016 12:51, UK
With it being International Women's Day, what better way to celebrate than with a look ahead to the new SWPL season.
Sunday 13th March sees all eight teams from SWPL 1 start their 2016 campaigns, with champions Glasgow City travelling to Stirling University.
A new league structure and two Champions League spots on offer mean this year's Scottish Women's Premier League promises to be the most competitive in its history.
After discussions with all of 2015's SWPL clubs and a detailed review of senior women's game, the decision was taken to have two leagues of eight teams rather than a top division of twelve. The change promises to increase the quality and competition of the league as the top eight sides from last year go into SWPL 1, with the other four dropping in to SWPL 2.
Vivienne MacLaren of Scottish Women's Football said: "A lot of the SWPL teams are improving in quality and in coaching, organisation and players. We saw last year a lot of close games that Glasgow City had, especially with Hibs."
"If they win the title this year it will be their tenth consecutive title which is an SWPL record but I think they will be pushed hard to get that title definitely."
Champions League
The other exciting news for fans of clubs in the SWPL is the emergence of an extra qualifying place for the UEFA Women's Champions League. Previous to last year only one team was able to represent Scotland at European level, however it was announced mid-way through last season there would be two spots for Scottish clubs. Hibs join Glasgow City in the 2016/17 competition by virtue of finishing runners-up in 2015.
You only need to look at Glasgow City's conquerors in the last three campaigns to see the prestige the Champions League holds. Reaching the quarters finals in 2014/15, City's best ever finish, they were knocked out by Paris Saint-Germain. In the years before and after they were beaten by Arsenal and Chelsea respectfully.
City's Fiona Brown said: "Last year we were really disappointed at the stage of the competition we went out after going so far in the previous year. Obviously it is highly dependent on the draw but our goal is always to get as far as possible in the Champions League."
"Previously we have been the only ones flying the flag for the country in the competition and now Hibs are in it as well which is great for football in this country."
Hibs are the benefactors of the extra place this season, and midfielder Heather Richards is happy to be venturing into the unknown.
She said: "For a lot of us it's our first time playing Champions League so we're all really excited and don't know what to expect. I think that's the best thing that we don't know what to expect because we are just going to give everything and see where we get."
SWPL 2016 preview
Glasgow City, the dominant force of Scottish women's football, secured a ninth straight title in 2015, but were pushed far closer than they had been in previous years.
City were matched by Hibs only to pip the Edinburgh outfit to the title by six points. The sides had near identical records and were on equal points going in to their head-to-head clash with two games to go. Glasgow City came out 2-0 winners that day but it was a marked improvement on the previous five years where the league had been decided by at least 15 points.
As the club's prepare for Sunday's big kick off, we got an insight in to their preparations from some of their players.
Glasgow City
Home ground: Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie
Last year's finish: 1st
Fiona Brown (striker): "There has been a lot of movement this year and a lot of teams have improved. I know people are talking about City and Hibs but I think Celtic are stronger, Aberdeen are always a hard team to beat; Spartans and Rangers have brought in a lot of experience so the league will be great."
"We had a new manager in the middle of last year. Scott's really come in and this is his chance to really put his way of doing things and implement his strategy and way of thinking. His philosophy is that we play well, we play nice football and obviously we want to win things but we want to do it in a nice way."
Hibernian
Home ground: Albyn Park, Broxburn
Last year's finish: 2nd
Heather Richards (midfielder): "Every game now is going to be a tough rather than it being a bit easier for us because of the changes. We need to be consistent and I think all teams are feeling that and everyone will need to perform every week now."
"Our goals last year were to go and win stuff. We came short but we've proved to ourselves how good we can be and our goal this year is to win everything."
Celtic
Home ground: K-Park Training Academy, East Kilbride
Last year's finish: 3rd
Chloe Craig (defender): "I think it will be interesting now there are so little teams in the league and every week you will be playing against someone at the same ability that will challenge you."
"Obviously we want to go out and try and win trophies and the league but for us it's just progressing as a team."
Stirling University
Home ground: Stirling University
Last year's finish: 7th
Rebecca Blair (defender): "Our objective of this season is to finish 5th. We reached our target last season so that was a huge bonus and to get to play in the Premier League again is really exciting for us."
"I think it's going to be a lot tighter this season. Especially with only 8 teams in the league and those fighting to stay up, those games are going to be crucial."
Rangers
Home ground: New Tinto Park, Govan
Last year's finish: 6th
Clare Gemmell (midfielder): "I don't think you can say what the season is going to be this year because it's new. I don't think you can write any teams off."
"I think for us personally last season we didn't have a particularly great season. We have higher expectations and brought in a lot of new players. It's mainly giving a good account of ourselves which we didn't manage to do last year."
Aberdeen
Home ground: Sunnybank Juniors Stadium, Aberdeen
Last year's finish: 4th
Hannah Stewart: "The gap between the teams are getting closer. Obviously Hibs are competing at the top. We finished fourth last year with one point between us and Celtic. It's a lot more competitive and no one can really predict what's going to happen."
"We just want to stay in the set-up and to improve on our season last season, which was the best we have ever done. To get that 3rd spot is the main aim."
Forfar Farmington
Home ground: Station Park, Forfar
Last year's finish: 8th
Tori Sousa (midfielder): "Our aim is definitely to stay up, I think that's the most important right now but also to progress. Being in the top 4 or 5 would be great, even to win the league would be magnificent obviously! But Glasgow City are tough competitors so probably to progress as a team and stay up."
Spartans
Home ground: Spartans Academy/Ainslie Park, Edinburgh
Last year's finish: 5th
Ashley Fish (striker): "Our main goal would be to stay in the league but maybe push for the top four. It's always going to be competitive with Glasgow City, Hibs, Celtic and Rangers in there so I am looking forward to it."
Opening Day Fixtures, Sunday 13th March:
Stirling University v Glasgow City - 12:15ko
Spartans FC v Aberdeen - 13:00ko
Hibernian Ladies v Rangers - 14:00ko
Celtic v Forfar Farmington - 14:00ko
