Women’s Performance Football

University of St Andrews offers St Andrews offers students a world-leading academic education alongside a professionally run performance football programme that fosters a healthy relationship between athlete and student.

 

The programme

Led by full time Director of Football Stuart Milne, our vision is to offer one of the best performance football programmes in the UK, to enable our top players and staff to develop and progress to the best of their abilities and to compete at the highest level possible year in, year out.

We aim to provide the very best support and a comprehensive programme of training, allowing our students to harness their full potential and gain the very best football experience whilst at St Andrews.

Athletes on the performance football squad get access to a full support package including:

Find out more about the performance programme from Director of Football Stuart Milne.

Email: [email protected]

Technical coaching

skill development and team preparation

Strength and Conditioning

weekly sport specific sessions

Athlete support

physiotherapy, sports psychology, nutrition, recovery, time management

Video analysis

team and individual analysis

Individual player coaching

1-2-1 sport specific sessions with technical coaches

Athlete monitoring

regular sessions to monitor progress

Sports Therapy

full time in-house support service

Pre-season

full pre-season and off-season training programmes

Competition

British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) championships

The Women’s performance squad currently competes in BUCS Premier North, BUCS British Championship Cup and the Scottish Student Sport #She Can She Will Cup.


Example of

Achievements

  • 2024-25 BUCS National Champions
  • 2023-24 BUCS Premier North Champions
  • 2022-23 BUCS Premier North Play off winners
  • Scottish BUCS League Tier 1A winners 2021-22, 2022-23
  • 2023-24 Scottish Student Sport #She Can She Will Cup champions
  • 2022-23 Scottish Student Sport #She Can She Will Cup champions
  • 2021-22 Scottish Student Sport #She Can She Will Cup champions

 
Fixtures and results
Women’s Football Roster 2024-25

BUCS National Champions 2024-25

The University of St Andrews Women’s Football 1st Team were crowned British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) national champions last week (Wednesday 19 March) after beating the University of Nottingham in the Championship Final at Loughborough.

In a closely fought game, St Andrews took the lead just after half-time with a goal by Player of the Match Olivia Boscaccy (3rd Year, MA Hons Management), who went on to claim her second in the 59th minute to take St Andrews 2-0 ahead. Nottingham reduced the lead to 2-1 with two minutes left on the clock, but the Saints held out to bring the Championship Cup back to St Andrews for the first time.

Watch the BUCS Women’s Football Championship Final | BUCS Big Wednesday 2025 | Nottingham vs St Andrews


Example of

Scholarships

Scholarships are aimed at players who are already competing at a high level and who believe they have the necessary attributes to be part of a performance football programme whilst studying for their degree in St Andrews.

 
 
 
 
Find out more

Join Saints Football

If you are interested in studying at St Andrews and playing for our performance football programme please complete our short online form to register your interest.

Register your interest Contact the Director

 

Meet the Director

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2190

Stuart Milne

Director of Football

Coaching qualifications:
Scottish FA Coach Education and Developer Award (2024), Scottish FA Coach Education Tutor, UEFA Youth Elite License (2017), UEFA A License (2015), UEFA B License (2013), UEFA C License, BA Honours in Sports Studies (Stirling University).

Coaching Experience:
Director of Football since 2011, Dunfermline Athletic Youth Academy, Fife Elite Youth Academy, Dundee United FC Youth Academy, East Fife FC Youth Academy, Raith Rovers FC Youth Academy, SFA Regional Development Squads (boys), SFA Regional Squad (girls), Dunfermline Athletic FC & SFA (community programmes).

 


Example of

Support staff

Our performance support team have a wealth of experience working and coaching at international level and within the professional game.

Wayne Henderson

Women’s 1st Team Assistant Coach
Head of Goalkeeping

Allan Gartshore

Strength and Conditioning Coach

Ali Smith

Sports Therapist

Dr Joan Strang

Performance Sport Coordinator

 


Example of

Professional services staff

Our performance teams and athletes are supported by a team of highly qualified, experienced, and dedicated professional service staff who share a passion for student sport.

Meet the Saints Sport team

Facilities

Located all on one site close to the historic town centre, students at St Andrews have access to some of the best sports facilities in Scotland.

View our facilities

Pitches

The premium grass pitches at University Park are renowned across the country as amongst the finest playing surfaces in Scotland. Our full size FIFA standard floodlit 3G synthetic pitch provides an additional all-weather training space and a venue for a series of regular matches.

The high standard of our facilities has been praised by many professionals who have visited St Andrews, including Manchester United FC, West Ham United FC, Brighton & Hove Albion FC, Manchester City FC, FC Barcelona and Everton FC.

Professional training camps

The University has been hosting professional clubs, international squads and governing bodies for over 15 years and has developed a reputation for providing a professional service and a unique sporting experience. With recent investment in the sports facilities and accommodation, the University of St Andrews is positioned as one of the best venues for sports training camps and events in Scotland.

Find out more


Example of

442 Club – Supporter network

Are you a St Andrews graduate and former member of the Football Club? Join our community of supporters from around the globe to help us develop a world-renowned football programme at Scotland’s first university.

Sign up


Example of

Supporting Saints Football

With your support we can provide greater value, more opportunities, and a better experience for our student football players.

Donate

news story

Why St Andrews

With over six centuries of heritage, world-class teaching and facilities that are both historic and state-of-the-art, St Andrews offers an outstanding education.

Study at St Andrews

Supported by

Cookie preferences