Scottish footballer Rachel Corsie, who now plays in the USA, has added her support to Aberdeen Football Club’s plans for purpose-built community facilities and a new stadium at Kingsford.
 
The SFA’s girls’ and women’s football development officer for the north region has echoed Rachel’s call to back the plans.
 
If planning consent is granted in October, the proposals will see £50million invested to create a new home for the Dons with football training pitches and academy that will also provide a base for the significant expansion of the award-winning work of the Aberdeen FC Community Trust on social inclusion, participation in sport and healthy lifestyles for all ages across the region.
 
Aberdeen-born Rachel said she wished there had been more facilities in the city when she was younger.
 
“I am absolutely behind the proposals for the new stadium and wider facilities. As a huge fan of Aberdeen FC, it is an exciting step forward for the club and is absolutely fundamental for its growth as one of the greatest clubs in Scottish football. The players, youth and future talent will have a far greater chance to flourish in the new facilities,” she said.

“From a community perspective, adding to the limited facilities already in the city can only be a great thing. Quality facilities need to be invested in so that the aspiring younger generations have the opportunity to play sport for both their health and enjoyment and also to maximise their potential.”

The 28-year-old currently plays for Seattle Reign FC in the National Women’s Soccer League. She made her senior national team debut against France in 2009 and has since amassed over 80 appearances for Scotland.
 
Rachel added: “I wish there had been more facilities when I was growing up in Aberdeen and from experiencing professional opportunities around the world, I have seen first-hand how influential and beneficial these can be.”
 
Jo Murphy, girls’ and women’s football development officer (north region) at the SFA, also welcomed the plans, saying women’s football was becoming more and more popular.
 
“Women's football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country and an increasing number of girls and women are getting into the sport in the North-east of Scotland,” said Jo.
 
“Aberdeen FC Community Trust already have a number of initiatives supporting girls and women's football and are committed to extending that support further with new projects.
 
“The proposals for Kingsford will allow both the club and the Trust to make real on the commitment with greater and more purpose-built facilities. The plans for the community and sports hub and training facilities are particularly exciting for us with their potential to increase, support and benefit women's and girls’ football.”
 
AFC heroes including Sir Alex Ferguson, Willie Miller and Bobby Clark and sporting champions including Paul Lawrie have already voiced their support for Aurora, Aberdeen Football Club’s campaign to demonstrate widespread support for its proposed new community and sports campus, football academy and stadium.
 
To show your support use the hashtag #AllForAurora on social media.