Alcohol harm clinical group is named new Scottish Women’s Football sponsor

A campaign group formed by doctors who treat extreme cases of alcohol harm has become the new sponsor of women’s football in Scotland.

Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) was formed in 2006 and was instrumental in developing Scotland’s policy of minimum unit pricing for alcohol.

Scottish Women’s Football has announced SHAAP as the new sponsor of its National Performance League, the elite level for girls’ football in Scotland.

The sponsorship comes after SWF stated in 2016 that they would not ever accept sponsorship from gambling and alcohol companies.

Fiona McIntyre, executive officer for Scottish Women’s Football, called it a “historic partnership”.

“We are delighted to be working with SHAAP,” she said.

“We have had a strong stance regarding alcohol sponsorship for a number of years now. Not only do we feel this is socially responsible as an organisation but we feel our stance has been financially justified and supported by the sponsors we have attracted to the game in recent years.”

Dr Eric Carlin, Director of SHAAP, which is based at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, said: “We are excited to be kicking off our partnership with SWF. We have lauded their stance on not accepting alcohol sponsorship since its announcement and we’re delighted to now be able to support them.

“This is a historic moment for SHAAP as SWF become our first ever sponsorship agreement. We hope that through this partnership we can raise awareness regarding alcohol problems in Scotland and encourage other organisations, sporting or otherwise, to reject alcohol sponsorship.”

The move has been welcomed from across the public health sector in Scotland.

Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: “Great to see Scottish Women’s Football leading from the front and putting the health and wellbeing of their players and fans first by rejecting alcohol sponsorship and partnering instead with SHAAP.”