Sheila Begbie MBE is a Scottish sports administrator and former international association football player. She is recognized for her significant contributions to the development and professionalization of women’s sports in Scotland, specifically within football and rugby union.
Begbie's athletic career began in association football, where she played as a defender. She represented the Scotland women's national team during the 1970s and 1980s, earning several international caps during an era before the sport received formal recognition from the Scottish Football Association (SFA).
Following her playing career, Begbie transitioned into sports administration. She joined the SFA in 1998 as the Head of Girls' and Women's Football. During her sixteen-year tenure, she oversaw the expansion of the women’s game, the integration of women's football into the SFA's core structure, and the establishment of national youth squads and regional academies. Her work is often cited as foundational to the subsequent qualification of the Scotland women's national team for major international tournaments.
In 2014, Begbie left the SFA to join Scottish Rugby (SRU) as the Head of Women’s and Girls’ Rugby. Her role later expanded when she was appointed Director of Domestic Rugby, a position in which she oversaw the grassroots and club game across Scotland. She remained in this leadership role until her retirement in 2021.
For her services to women’s football, Begbie was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2001 New Year Honours. She has also served on various committees for UEFA and FIFA, contributing to the governance and strategic planning of women’s football at an international level.