Buckie Ladies captain nets prestigious national award silverware
A local women’s football team skipper has netted yet another piece of silverware, dedicating the honour to her team-mates.
Buckie Ladies captain Rebecca McMillan had plenty to celebrate at the 2024 ScottishPower Scottish Women's Football Awards ceremony at Hampden Park when she was crowned the Highlands and Islands Player of the Year.
She fought off strong competition from a final shortlist comprising Bethany Sutherland (Sutherland Women), Daisy Fraser (Ross County) and Keira Syrjanen (Ross County).
The trophy will take pride of place alongside her League Cup winner medal from last season, the third year in a row the club have captured the trophy. The Gordon Park captain almost repeated the feat with the league trophy, Buckie agonisingly losing out in the final game to the campaign to Ross County.
Speaking after the ceremony, a delighted Rebecca said: “It’s crazy that I’ve won this, it feels truly special.
“I was shocked to be nominated in the first place, to be honest.
“When my name was called out I looked at my partner like ‘Did she really say my name?’. I couldn’t believe it, I was overwhelmed.
“I was up against some top players for the award; two were from the champions Ross County and Bethany Sutherland is a really good player as I know from playing against her many times. They’re all brilliant players.
“This means the world to me although I’ve no idea what swung it my way. I’m really grateful to everyone who voted for me.
“I’m dedicating the award to the team and the coaches - without them none of his would’ve been possible. All I ever wanted to do was play football!”
She went on to say the honour has helped highlight all the good work going on at the club, both on the pitch and behind the scenes.
Rebecca continued: “I think the award raises the profile of all the club has achieved in the league and cup over the last few years.
“I also hope it helps encourage more women and girls to take up football. The development side of the club is something I’m very passionate about and as captain I’m looking forward to welcoming more players making the step up to the senior side in the new season.”
Rebecca has skippered the side for the past two seasons, having been with the club for around seven years. In those early days, heavy defeats rather than silverware were the order of the day for the fledgling club.
She said: “Back then I never, ever thought I’d be sitting here with the Highlands and Islands Player of the Year award.
“It’s all been very emotional.”
News that she had been nominated for the award came as something of a bolt from the blue for the striker turned left back and she is still in the dark as to who nominated her for the honour.
Over a thousand nominations from the public were received for the various award categories which were up for grabs.
Buckie Ladies are no strangers to success at the ScottishPower Scottish Women's Football Awards, the Highlands and Islands Player of the Year title last year being won by the team’s goalkeeper Sophia Golebiewski while then manager Laura Duncan claimed the Volunteer of the Year award.
With the new season only a few weeks away, Rebecca is looking forward to the team adding to their medal haul under new manager Eddie Wolecki Black, who took over from Laura Duncan at the end of last season.
She added: “The league is due to get under way at the beginning of March but we’ve started pre-season already.
“We’ve a new manager in place and I’m looking forward to working hard and improving personally under Eddie’s guidance.
“There’s a lot of encouragement for us from last season’s results, winning the league cup for the third year in a row and coming so close to winning the title.
“I think it’s a sign of how far we’ve progressed as a club and a team that we now look at winning the league as our aim for the season.
“There’s all to play for!”
Keep up to date with Buckie Ladies news by following the club Facebook page.
Gordon Park plays host to training nights for both the development and senior sides.
The under-eights, 10s and 12s are in action on Mondays from 6pm to 7pm, while the under-14s and 16s are also on a Monday between 7.15pm and 8.30pm.
The seniors take to the training ground on Wednesdays from 7pm to 8.30pm - anyone interested in joining the side is asked to message the club through their Facebook page before turning up to a session.
