'Healthy Goals' Huge Success at Auldhouse

The weather could certainly have been a little kinder, but it did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm as walking footballers from across Scotland headed to Auldhouse for Walking Football Scotland’s inaugural Healthy Goals event.

This was a WFS event with a difference. No medals, no scores and no fixed teams. Instead, Healthy Goals was introduced into our playing calendar to celebrate and highlight the physical, mental and social health benefits that walking football can bring.

Players from Saints Walking Football in Kirkcudbright, Duncanrig EK, Midlothian Ladies, Drumchapel Utd, Rangers FFIT, East Kilbride Gerihatricks and hosts Giffnock SC enjoyed plenty of game time, mixing teams throughout the day, meeting new people and creating new friendships — with fun and wellbeing at the heart of everything.

Importantly, the event also brought together a number of organisations working to support the health of our players, including Parkinson’s UK Scotland, SAMH, Age Scotland, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and the Scottish Prostate Cancer Initiative, with an incredible 440 men tested throughout the day.

The Scottish Football Union and Southern Sound Hospital Radio were also on hand, speaking with players and health partners about the support available and hearing first-hand about the difference walking football is making to people’s lives.

A huge thank you to every player and club who embraced the concept and helped make the first Healthy Goals such a success, and a special thank you to Giffnock SC for hosting us at their terrific Auldhouse facilities.

A particular well done must go to WFS Trustee Martin ‘Jacky’ Jack, whose vision and organisation brought the event to life. 👏

Healthy Goals represents exactly the direction we want to continue travelling as an organisation. Walking football is already helping thousands of people across Scotland stay active, connected and involved — but we want to explore even more ways of using our game to support the health and wellbeing of our players.

Hopefully everyone who attended left not only having enjoyed a great day of walking football, but with a greater understanding of the positive difference the game can make physically, mentally and socially.

This was the first Healthy Goals — but certainly not the last. 💙⚽❤️