Karen Mason hopes seeing international football come to Inverness will help inspire the next generation of players.
Scotland’s under-23 women will host the Netherlands at the Sarens PSG Stadium on Monday night, with free entry for the match kicking off at 7pm.
Mason, the long-serving head coach of Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s women’s team, has seen the growth of women’s football in the region over the last few years.
There are now hundreds of girls in the Caley Thistle academy; many of whom will be in attendance on Monday night, or even involved around the match itself as flag bearers or ballgirls; and the Scottish FA has invested in a talent centre in the Highlands to help build a stronger pathway to the professional game.
Caley Thistle Women head coach Karen Mason will be on the Scotland bench as part of the coaching staff on Monday night. Picture: Sportpix
For them, the first international football match of any kind to take place in the Highland capital for 20 years will be the experience of a lifetime, and Mason hopes the occasion will fuel belief that they can follow in the footsteps of players like Rachel McLauchlan and make it to the top of the sport in Scotland.
“I think it’s huge having this coming up here for our youngsters in our academy, and even in our first team,” Mason stressed.
“They will be able to see that international standard up close instead of having to drive three and a half hours down the road, and we’ve got 250 people from our academy going to watch it between players and their parents.
“It’s just about inspiring the next generation. The girls who are in the talent centre with me are on that pathway, and they will be seeing these women playing on the international stage and what it takes to be at that level.
“They will get the chance to see what that’s like, which is really important because if you don’t see it, you’re not going to be it.
“We’re not always at the front of things in Inverness and the north unfortunately, and women’s football is no different.
“Teams are becoming more apparent in these last five or 10 years, and having more opportunities for girls to play will hopefully mean we eventually have another player from the Highlands representing Scotland one day.
“Hopefully that’s something that can grow from more people having an interest in it.”
For Mason personally, she has been invited on to Mick McArdle’s coaching staff for the day to help the national team prepare.
It will not be the first time Mason has worked with the Scottish FA, having previously been involved with an under-16s camp and serving as the lead coach for the Highland talent centre’s weekly sessions, but she is still looking forward to being part of the occasion and having the opportunity to learn from the national set-up.
“It’s quite an opportunity, and one that I’m sure I will enjoy once again,” the schoolteacher said.
“When it comes calling, you don’t turn down these opportunities, and thankfully my headteacher has allowed me the day off to go.
“I never really had the opportunity to learn from anybody. I’ve always been on my own, so going to these things and seeing the professionalism of it all, being in that environment and seeing how things are done at that level, I can learn more than I ever have.
“It’s an incredible opportunity and I think it’s something I’ll thrive on. Hopefully I’ll make a good impression and be asked to do something like this again in the future.”
While there may be no Highlanders in the Scottish squad, Mason provides a local link for the day.
She will not be the only one, though, as Inverness-based referee Jana Brady has been given the nod to officiate the match too, something that Mason believes will add to the occasion.
“It’s great to have a couple of girls from Inverness involved one way or another,” Mason added.
“There are more ways to be involved than playing. Without all the coaches and referees, the game doesn’t run, so wherever your talents may lie you can see the pathway is there.
“It’s great to see all the different roles covered, it’s just a shame we don’t have anyone on the pitch too – hopefully in the future that will be different.”
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