Rose Reilly Meets The University of St Andrews Women’s Football Team
Last month, the show Rose by Lorna Martin debuted at the Byre Theater and thanks to a generous donor the Football Club Student Committee members had the opportunity to watch the performance. After show there was a Q&A where players met Rose Reilly herself.
The show follows the amazing true story of Rose Reilly’s football legacy; Rose started as a Scottish working-class teenager from Ayrshire and through hard work and perseverance became one of the greatest female footballers in the world.
It was not until 1971 that the Scottish Football Association’s ban on Women’s football was overturned and in the Q&A sessions players from the club learned that since Rose was unable to play football in Scotland, which in turn meant her parents never had the opportunity to see her play. From the University Club, as female players who grew up with their families and communities supporting their football careers, it was greatly impactful to players who attended to meet a woman who had to give up so much to be able to play. The club are beyond grateful for all she contributed to allow female footballers to play in Scotland today.
This was an incredible opportunity for club members to speak with someone who was at the heart of the rise of women’s football. It reasserts the Football Club motto that our legacy is important and confirms that the work with local girl’s football clubs is still necessary and impactful. All female club members hope to continue her legacy- The players who attended said ‘it was an honor to speak with Rose and truly an inspiration to all aspiring women footballers!’
For more information on the history for Women’s football in Scotland please visit Women’s History Scotland