 The first item of business this afternoon is Time for Reflection, and our Time for Reflection leader today is Dr Rose Riley, MBE. Presiding Officer, members of the Scottish Parliament, thank you for letting a wee lassie from Sturton address you today. Today, female football players still struggle for equality. I had my own struggles. At school I wanted to play fitba, but that was not allowed. I loved football, so I played every day anyway, and I was belted for it. My headteacher said to me, Rose, you're not learning. I replied, no sir, it's you that's not learning. I never held a grudge. I moved on and tried harder. There were no girls team, so to play with a boys team I had to get a short back size and change my name to Ross and get changed at home. During my career I experienced name calling. Today this would be considered a hate crime. Back then it was just a bit of banter, but it was wrong. It was horrible, it hurt. When I got older to turn professional I went to France and then Italy to develop my career as a football player. I was seen as a pioneer back then. Seeing all the cities of Europe, winning cups, trophies and medals, living in the best hotels, it must have seemed glamorous. It was difficult at the start until I learned the language. I had no support network, but football kept me going. My reward for my pioneering work in football was to receive a lifetime ban from the SFA. Instead of being supported I was rejected. Where I could have been used as a positive role model to inspire females I was disowned. Those challenges I faced were wrong. Horrible and it hurt. I'm not bitter. I forgave the SFA and I moved on. I believe what I did back then has helped young girls in Scotland realise that they can do whatever they want as long as they work hard to follow their dreams. Today I support young girls to get involved in sport and physical activity so they don't face the same hurdles as I did. I am grateful that my work has been recognised in Ayrshire, where I have a sports centre named after me in Sturton. At Ayrshire College I have a football academy for girls, which provides free football and free kit to all participants. I am fortunate that I have been able to give back to the community where I was born and raised. The look on the faces of those wheel asses playing for fun is as good a feeling as any goal I scored or any trophy I lifted. The awards were great but the rewards are greater.