Scotland national team manager Shelley Kerr is set to be awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Stirling for her “outstanding contribution to women’s football”.
The Scotland boss was awarded an MBE earlier this after leading the women’s side to their first ever World Cup finals and will now be honoured at the institution where she built her reputation as a coach with the Lowland League men’s side.
Former Newcastle United and England striker Alan Shearer will also receive the honour at a ceremony on November 22 as the institution marks its recent designation of UK Sports University of the Year.
READ MORE: Shelley Kerr deserves crack at big job in men's game after Scotland World Cup heroics, says Cuthbert
Kerr, who took over managing Scotland from Anna Signeul in 2017, previously led the University of Stirling side to consistent top five league finishes and the British Universities Championship final during a three-year spell.
Scotland topped their group in qualifying for the tournament, losing just once to book their first appearance at the finals, where they faced Argentina, England and Japan.
Professor Gerry McCormac, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Stirling: “Shelley Kerr MBE is a good friend of this University, having studied here and managed our Men’s First Team between 2014 and 2017 – an appointment that saw her celebrated as the first woman to manage a senior men’s team in Britain.”
“We are pleased to see Shelley’s continued success at the helm of the Scottish Women’s National Team – whom she led to their first FIFA World Cup earlier this year.”
He added: “We look forward to celebrating Shelley’s outstanding contribution to women’s football.”
Meanwhile, Shearer, who scored more than 200 goals for the St James’ Park side, is being recognised for his work in promoting and participating in research exploring the link between football and dementia.
READ MORE: 'Ex-footballers at higher risk of developing Alzheimer's and MND'
He fronted a BBC documentary on the topic in 2017.
Professor McCormac added: “Both Shelley and Alan embody this University’s ambition to ‘be the difference’ and are excellent role models for our graduands – I am proud that we will honour both at next week’s ceremonies.”
“ I extend my congratulations to all of our graduands and honorary graduands on their hard-earned accomplishments.”
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