AN inspirational Greenock woman who has just become the first female to take on a leading national football role is promising to fight for equality during her stint in office.
Gillian Duffy has vowed to make her time as Scottish Schools Football Association president count by flying the flag for Inverclyde and the girls' game.
The former PE teacher, who bravely faced a battled with leukaemia head on, is also the youngest person to be appointed to the role.
A lifelong champion of school football, Gillian is a coach in the national girls u-15s set-up and actively encourages young players from Inverclyde to play the game.
She is also proud of the integral role her home town has played in supporting the women's game.
Wearing her chains of office for the first time, Gillian said: "I am proud of Inverclyde's role in the women's game.
"It was here at Ravenscraig in the town back in 1972 that the first match Scotland v England game took place.
"They couldn't have it anywhere else because the SFA wouldn't let women play on their pitches or use referees.
"When I spoke at last year's anniversary match to the famous Rose Reilly and our own Greenock player Marian Mount, who were both on the pitch that day, it meant a lot."
The Women's World Cup recently entertained huge TV audiences across the globe and Gillian believes that genuine momentum is building for the sport.
She said: "We have come a long way, particularly in recent years, and attitudes are starting to change.
"But I want to continue to promote the girls game.
"In fact I want to every girl and boy in Inverclyde and across Scotland to have more opportunities to play.
"It is something so many of us didn't have the opportunity to do.
"School football is so important because it gives all children the chance to play the game, not just those who are in clubs."
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When Gillian was SSFA vice president she played a key role in organising the big anniversary match against the 'Auld Enemy' at Ravenscraig last year.
She also brought this year's under-15s international tournament to Inverclyde for the first time.
The finals were played at Parklea in Port Glasgow and her Scotland team went on to win the Bob Docherty tropphy.
Former Tele Community Champion of the Year Gillian needed a stem cell transplant to save her life when she was battling leukaemia.
She then raised thousands of pounds for charity to help others, and the Tele recently reported how she met her donor during an emotional reunion in Greenock.
Now Gillian is set for a busy two years as head of the SSFA.
The volunteer added: "I obviously have to pace myself but it is going to be busy and I am looking forward to it."
Welcoming her appointment, international team secretary Les Donaldson said: “There is no doubt in my mind that Gillian will do an amazing job as she is so determined, enthusiastic, hard working and very supportive of all who know her.
"These aspects of her character will stand her in good stead for the rigours involved in her new post and we wish her well.”
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