A former Scottish female international footballer capped 98 times for her country is to play another star role – this time as the new headteacher at a Highland school.
Aberdeen-born Nicky Grant, 42, takes up her post at 431-pupil Alness Academy in Ross-shire next month.
The ex-Arsenal midfielder, who currently plays in the Scottish Women’s Premier League for Forfar Farmington, said she was “absolutely delighted” to be taking the school on the “next stage of the journey”.
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She added: “I am looking forward to getting to know all the young people, staff, parents and members of the community and working together to raise the profile of the school and the potential and opportunities we have ahead of us.
“It is an exciting time for the school and a great privilege for me; I am very much looking forward to starting on December 3.”
Nicky has been depute headteacher at Elgin High School with Moray Council since 2016, prior to which she was depute head at Kemnay Academy, Aberdeenshire.
Her principal subject was physical education which she previously taught at schools in West Lothian.
Prior to this she was a professional footballer.
She first came to prominence as a promising player with Cove Rangers, scoring twice in the 1996 Scottish Women’s Cup final on the way to beating Aberdeen 5-1 at McDiarmid Park in Perth.
She then won a domestic treble in 1997-98 after moving to Cumbernauld United.
In the 2000 Scottish Women’s Cup final, Grant scored four goals in Stenhousemuir’s 9–0 win over Clyde.
She spent the 2001 summer season in Iceland with ÍBV and scored three goals in ten Úrvalsdeild appearances.
She collected an FA Women’s Premier League winners medal with Arsenal Ladies in 2002.
In 2003 Grant joined Frauen Bundesliga champions Frankfurt as a full–time professional, but returned to Scotland due to injuries to work as a teacher while playing for Kilmarnock.
In January 2005, at Doncaster Rovers Belles she helped them avoid relegation by scoring the second goal in a vital 2–0 win over Bristol City. She was sent off for removing her shirt in celebration.
In summer 2007 she joined Swedish Damallsvenskan club QBIK.After a spell at Hamilton Academical, Grant signed for Celtic in 2011.
She signed for Forfar Farmington ahead of the 2012 season.
She made her senior debut for Scotland against Italy in October 1993, playing a total of 98 times.
Meanwhile, a new head of Aviemore Primary School has also been appointed. Emma MacCallum, the depute since November 2015, said: “I am looking forward to new challenges ahead.”