Record Participation, International Ambitions and a Bright Future: President David Winnie Reflects on Walking Football's Progress

Walking Football Scotland (WFS) was delighted to welcome President David Winnie to Glasgow recently as he joined colleagues and volunteers for a series of meetings focused on the continued growth and development of the game across Scotland.

Despite being based in London, David remains heavily involved in the Scottish walking football landscape and regularly travels north to support the work being carried out by Walking Football Scotland. His latest visit provided an opportunity to discuss a wide range of topics, including participation growth, club and WFS app development, national team opportunities, coach education and plans for the future of the sport.

As part of his visit, David also had the honour of presenting the prestigious Arthur Duncan Award on Friday evening. This year's recipients, David Callaghan and Jenny Hammond, were recognised for their outstanding contribution, dedication and service to walking football within their respective communities.

The Arthur Duncan Award is one of the highest honours within Walking Football Scotland, celebrating individuals who have gone above and beyond to promote the sport and make a lasting impact on the lives of others.

Speaking during his visit, WFS President David Winnie said:

"It is always a pleasure to return to Scotland and see first-hand the incredible progress being made across all areas of walking football. The growth of the game continues to be driven by dedicated volunteers, welcoming clubs and passionate participants who understand the positive impact the sport can have on people's physical health, mental wellbeing and social connectedness.

We are extremely grateful for the recent funding support received from the Scottish FA through the Scottish Government's 'Summer of Sport' programme. This investment will help us continue to grow opportunities for participation, develop new initiatives and ensure that even more people across Scotland can experience the benefits of walking football.

There is also tremendous excitement surrounding the Scotland National Walking Football Team as they prepare to compete in their first international event in Nyon, Switzerland. This is a significant milestone for the game in Scotland and I am very much looking forward to joining up with the squad for the historic occasion. It presents a fantastic opportunity for Scotland to come alongside other nations and their official national teams, strengthening relationships and showcasing the progress that has been made here at home.

The success of last weekend's Scottish Cup and Festival was another outstanding example of how far the game has come. It was a tremendous occasion, bringing together a record number of teams and players from across Scotland. The positive feedback received and the sense of community throughout the day highlight exactly what makes walking football so special. I would also like to place on record my sincere thanks to Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland for their continued support and partnership, which plays a vital role in helping us deliver events of this scale and quality.

Looking ahead, plans are already underway for next year's Scottish Cup and Festival, which will become a two-day event taking place over the weekend of 5th and 6th June 2027. The continued growth in participation means we must continue to evolve, and we are excited about creating an even bigger and better experience for players, clubs and supporters.

Finally, none of this would be possible without the incredible people who work tirelessly behind the scenes. I would like to thank our volunteer Walking Football Scotland Trustees and all of the many volunteers who continually give their time, energy and expertise to support the organisation. Their commitment is the foundation upon which our success is built, and Walking Football Scotland is indebted to each and every one of them."

Walking Football Scotland would like to thank David for making the journey to Glasgow and for his ongoing commitment to supporting the development of the game. His leadership, experience and passion continue to play an important role in helping drive the sport forward as participation levels continue to grow across the country.