More women than men sign up for football health programme for first time

Women have overtaken men in sign-ups to a leading football health programme for the first time.

The SPFL Trust’s Football Fans in Training (FFIT) had 399 women sign up for the free 13-week scheme in 2024-25, compared with 378 men.

The scheme was developed by the research team at Glasgow University in partnership with the SPFL Trust and is delivered in football stadiums across Scotland.

FFIT supports adults aged 35-65 to improve their physical and mental wellbeing, and was originally launched in 2010 to tackle serious men’s health issues through the power of football.

Participants receive practical guidance on nutrition, healthy eating and alcohol intake, alongside light physical activity through weekly step counts.

Jodie McNair, 35, from Cumbernauld, joined FFIT at The Rangers Charity Foundation in September following the birth of her daughter in June.

She said: “After having my baby, I didn’t feel like myself physically or mentally.

“Signing up to a gym wasn’t realistic with a newborn, but committing to a couple of hours a week at Ibrox felt manageable.

“I didn’t really know what it would be like but wanted to give it a try and it turned out to be one of the best things I could have done.

“You’re weighing in each week and seeing the same group of people, so there’s real accountability.

“Everyone works at their own level and the coaches are supportive, so you never feel out of place.

“Even on dark, wet nights, you go because other people are going and you don’t want to let yourself or them down.

“It builds up gradually, so by the end you’re doing things you couldn’t manage at the start.”

While Ms McNair lost weight and improved her fitness she said the mental benefits were just as important.

She said: “It gave me that time each week to focus on myself.

“Physically I improved, but mentally it was huge as well.

“Having that couple of hours away, meeting new people and doing something positive for myself made a real difference to my overall wellbeing.”

While Ms McNair is a Rangers supporter and had previously volunteered at Ibrox, she believes the growth in female participation is being driven by word of mouth rather than simply traditional links to football clubs.

She added: “I think once people see what it actually involves and hear about the benefits from friends or family, it becomes much less intimidating.

“Some women on my course weren’t even football fans, they’d heard about it through partners or colleagues.

“I even met a Celtic fan who continues to come along to the sessions at Ibrox because she wanted to do the programme.

“That says a lot about how welcoming it is.”

Nicky Reid, chief executive of the SPFL Trust, said the scheme helps reduce inequalities across Scotland.

She said: “Everyone at the SPFL Trust is really proud of how our FFIT programme has developed over the last 15 years, and it’s amazing to hear how much women, as well as men, continue to enjoy the programme.

“It supports participants to build sustainable habits around physical activity and nutrition, helping to reduce health inequalities across Scotland.

“The milestone is a further reminder of the power of football in driving meaningful health and long-term behavioural changes, and I’d like to thank community trusts and clubs for their continued support with this vital programme.”

Jordan Boyd, community programmes manager at The Rangers Charity Foundation, said: “We are incredibly proud to deliver FFIT at The Rangers Charity Foundation and to see the impact it has on our community.

“Participants like Jodie show exactly what the programme is about, creating a supportive environment where people can improve their health, build confidence and connect with others.

“It’s inspiring to see so many women and men enjoying stepping forward and making the most of this programme.”