Lanarkshire pupils are on the ball with Scottish Women's FA Cup visit

Lanarkshire school pupils were on the ball last week after getting to see some football silverware up close.

Youngsters at St Cadoc's and Cairns Primary in Cambuslang got to see the Biffa Scottish Women’s cup trophy as part of an initiative aimed at "building bridges" between schools and communities.

The programme, run by anti-sectarian charity Nil By Mouth, uses football as a focus to talk about discrimination and how sport can be a force for good.

Pupils at the neighbouring schools were able to get close to the trophy alongside Scottish Women’s Football CEO Aileen Campbell, who spoke about the importance of inclusion, both within sport and wider society.

Aileen Campbell told Lanarkshire Live: "I’m proud that Scottish Women’s Football is an inclusive game with no place for discrimination and sectarianism, so it is a pleasure to visit South Lanarkshire with the trophy with the biggest history in the women’s game.

The pupils were up for the cup (Rutherglen Reformer)

"Women’s football has fantastic role models, is open to all, and creates a unique matchday experience, so I hope some of the youngsters will be inspired to come along to the Biffa Scottish Women’s Cup Final on May 29 at Tynecastle and watch Glasgow City and Celtic compete for the trophy.”

Nil by Mouth director Dave Scott added: "Our programme in schools this year is focused around how sport can bring people from different backgrounds together, so I’m delighted that Aileen could come along and talk about how Scottish Women’s Football sets a great example.

"Fostering a culture of tolerance and respect starts at the top, which is why it has been fantastic for pupils to be able to engage with referees, authors and now the CEO of Scottish Women’s Football as part of this programme."

The semi-finals, played earlier in May, saw Celtic defeat Hearts 2-0 and Glasgow City beat Partick Thistle 3-1.

Tickets for the May 29 final are on-sale now.

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