First Scottish Players of the Month Crowned

Above: Hibernian’s Colette Cavanagh with the SWPL 1 Player of the Month Award. Photo supplied to Impetus by Scottish Women’s Football.

Colette Cavanagh of Hibernian has been voted as the winner of the SWPL 1 Player of the Month for September 2021 while Rachel Todd of Dundee United is the winner of the SWPL 2 award.

It’s the first player of the month awards of the new season and it’s the first time that there is separate winners for both SWPL 1 and SWPL 2.

This is the second time that Cavanagh has won a Player of the Month award, last winning for Celtic Women back in May 2018. She becomes the first SWPL player to win the award for two different clubs.

In the month of September, Hibernian won three out of four games including a historic victory over Edinburgh rivals, Heart of Midlothian, in front of a domestic record crowd at Easter Road.

Cavanagh, playing a more attacking role so far this season, scored two goals in September in combination with her high work-rate and determination. Her abilities were displayed most clearly when she won the ball back before a wonder strike against Celtic in a narrow 2-1 loss.

Speaking from Easter Road, Cavanagh said: “I’m thrilled to win this award for September. I feel like I’ve started the season strongly and there is great feeling within the team. I certainly believe I’m playing some of the best football of my career.

“It’s nice to be recognised again for my performances in the SWPL having won the award a few years ago now. I’m here for success with Hibernian though, so winning games is the most important thing for me as a player.”

In SWPL 2 Dundee United’s Rachel Todd was voted as Player of the Month as her side went undefeated, winning three and drawing one.

The former St Johnstone midfielder has adapted quickly to life at the club, playing every minute in September. She also played a pivotal role in their 3-1 win over Queen’s Park, scoring their opening two goals.

Speaking from Dundee United WFC training, Todd said: “It’s a huge honour to win this award. Moving to a new team can present challenges but I’m delighted with how things are going. I feel this award is recognition of the hard work that both the club and I have put in so far this season.

“Our aim is to get promotion to SWPL 1 this season and many have listed us title favourites. With the squad we have and the support of the club, we’re confident we can achieve success. For us as players though, it’s about taking every game as it comes and ensuring we pick up maximum points.”

Aileen Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of Scottish Women’s Football, said: “I’d like to congratulate both Colette (Cavanagh) and Rachel (Todd) on winning the first Player of the Month awards for the 2021/22 season and say well done to all nominees.

“Both SWPL 1 and SWPL 2 have been highly entertaining and it’s shaping up to be, yet again, the most competitive season we’ve ever had within the women’s game. These awards are testament to the hard work and dedication of the players involved.

“I’m also delighted that Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) will recognise both an SWPL 1 and SWPL 2 Player of the Month going forward. We feel it’s a positive development for the players, coaches, fans, and leagues for the 2021/22 season and beyond.

Nominated for the SWPL 1 award was Charlie Wellings (Celtic Women) and Eilidh Shore (Aberdeen Women) while Lucy Ronald (Glasgow Women) and Samantha Duncan (Boroughmuir Thistle) were nominated for the SWPL 2 award.