Unite Scottish Cup Final to be aired Live on BBC Alba

BBC ALBA will be providing live coverage of this Sunday’s Unite Scottish Cup Final, which will see Glasgow City Ladies FC take on Rangers Ladies FC. Glasgow City are the Premier League leaders and Rangers are the First Division champions who have gained promotion to the Premier League after their inaugural season.

The final will take place at Stirling Albion’s Forthbank Stadium, with a kick-off time of 2.15pm. Coverage from BBC ALBA’s House of Sport will commence at 2pm with coverage of both team’s final training sessions and their preparations as they look ahead to Sunday’s match.

BBC ALBA is a partnership service between BBC Scotland and MG ALBA. BBC ALBA is available on Sky channel 168 and on Freesat channel 110.

Maureen McGonigle of the Scottish Women’s Football Association said, “The Unite Scottish Cup is the most prestigious event in the senior women’s calendar and having it covered live by BBC ALBA is a very positive step. Women’s football continues to be one of the fastest growing sports and this is reflected by the interest shown by BBC ALBA.”

Laura Montgomery, captain of Glasgow City Ladies FC, said, “It is fantastic the game is now receiving this level of coverage and I am delighted that BBC ALBA are taking an interest in women’s football, which after Sunday’s game, I’m sure they won’t regret.”

Jayne Sommerville, captain of Rangers Ladies FC, said, “We have had a great season and Sunday will be a big game for us which we’re preparing for well. Having it televised live is an incentive and gives our players excellent exposure.”

Alan Esslemont, head of content for BBC ALBA, said, “There is a large and growing following of women’s football and I am delighted BBC ALBA is providing, for the first time ever, live coverage of this very important match, allowing a large audience of fans to enjoy and support their team. Sunday’s match should be extremely exciting and I wish both teams all the best.”

“Last year we broadcast live coverage of the Scotland Women’s crucial UEFA Euro 2009 play-off against Russia which proved a great success for the channel and is testament to the level of demand from sports fans across the Gaelic and Scottish wide community for televised coverage of women’s sport.”

Live coverage of this game complements BBC ALBA’s comprehensive sports offering which includes ‘as-live’ SPL matches on Saturday nights, three live televised First Division Football matches, live coverage of the SFL First Division play-off matches, as well as five live shinty matches to be televised throughout the summer.