Sutherland footballers set wheels in motion for new season with sponsored cycle around county

A women's football club are preparing to cycle the full circuit of Sutherland next March to help gather much needed funds for their junior and senior teams.

Sutherland Women’s Football Club (SWFC), who compete in the Highlands and Islands women's football league, are aiming to raise at least £2500 to help them meet their costs for the 2023 season.

The sponsored cycle follows a 64-mile dribble challenge completed by Sutherland player Franci Hutcheson in April, who travelled the distance between Lochinver to Golspie with a football at her feet to raise over £3000. The funds were split between the team and the Ukraine appeal (via the football charity Common Goal).

This time around, she plans to take some of her fellow players along with her to cycle the 250-mile loop around the county.

Ms Hutcheson said: "After a few successful fundraisers last year including a Family Fun Day in Golspie and a sponsored dribble from Lochinver to Golspie, I suggested the idea of a sponsored cycle. Initially I thought we could cycle to each of the football teams taking part in the Highlands and Islands League, but logistically this would be difficult to organise with ferry journeys etc – so one of our coaches, David Mackay, suggested a cycle around Sutherland instead, to promote the team's Sutherland roots."

SWFC plans to use the cycle as a means of raising funds to cover the costs of training facilities, travel and equipment, while also conducting a recruitment drive as they seek out new players to join the squad.

Ms Hutcheson added: "We have been in touch with active schools co-ordinators across Sutherland and in the coming weeks I plan to contact schools and community councils to find out the most appropriate ways to advertise our teams and welcome new players.

"Minister for public health, womens health and sport, Maree Todd is someone I have contacted as our local MSP covering the Sutherland area."

The team are hoping to complete the cycle in early March next year.

SWFC has started crowdfunding for the new season at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/swfc.

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