Sutherland footballer named on shortlist with players from Buckie, Caithness and Shetland for Highlands and Islands Player of the Year

SUTHERLAND footballer Rachael Sutherland has been nominated for Highlands and Islands League player of the season.

The centre midfielder from Golspie is one of four footballers who have been shortlisted for the accolade.

She has been nominated along with Lori Lappin (Buckie Ladies), Freya Leslie (Shetland) and Shannon Campbell (Caithness).

The winner will be announced at the ScottishPower Women’s Football Awards on Saturday, November 29 at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

Sutherland, who runs a salon in Dornoch played a huge part in the club reaching the Highlands and Islands League Cup final where they finished as runners-up to Shetland last month.

She was also a present figure in the 2025 Highlands and Islands League season where the club finished in fifth place.

Sutherland has played football since a child, playing when she was at school and also played at Ross County and in the Aberdeen area.

Sutherland is one of the original squad members of the club that was formed in 2020 and made their debut season in 2021.

She was part of the Highland and Islands League Cup winning team in 2021 as they defeated Clachnacuddin 3-2 in the final.

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