Boroughmuir Thistle, Scotland’s largest female football club, has a new sponsor for its under-16 Elite Talent Development Environment (TDE) National performance league squad.

Crosswind Developments, a property developer behind the proposed ‘Elements Edinburgh’ development adjacent to the airport, will provide just under £1500 to finance a new away kit for Thistle.

Lesley Sawers, a non-executive director of Crosswind Developments, said:

“At Crosswind, we are committed to sustainable and inclusive placemaking. This is core to our work as our developer, but it also goes beyond that. We are truly invested in Edinburgh’s wider community, and in ensuring that its young people are provided with opportunities to thrive and grow.

“This partnership reflects our unwavering commitment to Edinburgh’s wider community and to the young women of Boroughmuir Thistle. Their success is a testament to their hard work on and off the pitch and we are delighted to support them.”

Chris Summersell, Performance Academy Manager for Boroughmuir Thistle, said:

At Boroughmuir Thistle, we are uniquely positioned to drive opportunity through women’s and girls sport.

We are delighted to have Crosswind, a business with a strong stake in Scotland’s future, supporting our work. This partnership opens up access to resources that will enable us to nurture future football talent, and we are extremely grateful to Crosswind for partnering with us.

Vivienne MacLaren, chair of Scottish Women’s football, said:

“Girls’ participation in sports is essential for their physical and mental wellbeing, and it instills valuable life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and leadership. Scottish women’s football has come a long way since the dark days of the 50-year ban on women’s participation. The ban not only denied women the right to play the sport they loved but also robbed our nation of an incredible pool of talent. Today, as we celebrate the strides we’ve made, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every girl and woman in Scotland has the opportunity to be part of this beautiful game.

Boroughmuir Thistle is doing remarkable work fostering young talent in the local community. We welcome Crosswind Developments’ support of the club, which will help ensure the girls are well-equipped to compete to the best of their ability in the upcoming season.”

Crosswind’s ambition for Elements Edinburgh will see Edinburgh Airport’s disused runway transformed into a thriving commercial and residential hub. Crosswind is currently in the process of applying for planning permission, following a period of community consultation.