Player of the Month (December) - Martin Samuell & Suzy Featherstone
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We’re keeping up with our monthly spotlight on Walking Football Scotland Players of the Month in partnership with Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.
For December the Walking Football Scotland Women’s Player of the Month is Suzy Featherstone! Suzy, 55, plays with Linlithgow Rose CFC.
Walking Football Scotland Men’s Player of the Month is Martin Samuell! Martin, 54, is one of our new Regional Reps and plays with Seaforth WFC.
Congratulations Suzy and Martin! They shared their reflections on what walking football means to them.
Why did you get involved in walking football?
Suzy: “After spending over 15 years being taxi driver to 3 very sporty kids, my youngest passed his driving test and I found myself with spare time in the evenings. I had seen that Linlithgow Rose had set up women’s walking football sessions and as the rest of the family all played football, I thought I’d give it a try and see how it goes. That was 2 years ago.”
Martin: “I wanted to be involved with local people within my community. I started in Drumnadrochit and was then asked to be football convenor for a new club Seaforth in Conon Bridge and since then I have helped start up Ross County as well as recently become the first WFS Regional Rep for the North of Scotland.”
What positive impact has walking football had on your life?
Suzy: “I’ve made friends with a lovely group of women and men, which, as a quite a quiet person I don’t always find the easiest thing to do. Being part of a team after not playing a team sport for over 30 years has been fantastic. Learning a new skill in my 50s is challenging but I’m loving every minute of it and my fitness has improved. It’s not just walking football, I’ve had nights out, weekends away and started playing pickleball, just because I plucked up the courage to go to that first football session.”
Martin: “For me personally it is about getting other people together and making the groups grow and seeing how much everyone enjoys the experience, banter etc etc. ”
What would you say to encourage others to come along?
Suzy: “If you’re looking for something that keeps you active while you have fun, get yourself along to your local club. If my experience is anything to go by, you’ll meet some fantastic people who encourage you to be your best and make it worth going back to each week.”
Martin: “I tend to say to people that they do not know how much they need walking football in their lives. Even if it is just to come out and meet similar aged people from all different walks of life and have a chat.
Walking football is still the beautiful game just at a slower pace.”
