Matt Ramsay Appointed CEO of Walking Football Scotland

Walking Football Scotland is pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Ramsay as the organisation’s first Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

At the recent Annual Members Meeting (AMM), member clubs were informed of the Board of Trustees’ intention to appoint Walking Football Scotland’s first Chief Executive Officer. The Board is now delighted to confirm Matt Ramsay’s appointment to this newly created role.

The creation of the Chief Executive Officer role reflects the continued growth and development of Walking Football Scotland as a national charity and the ambition of the Board to build on the significant progress made in recent years. The role will provide dedicated executive leadership as the organisation enters the next stage of its development.

Having served as a Trustee for the past nine years, Matt has been central to the growth and development of Walking Football Scotland. He has helped shape the organisation’s governance, led the development and delivery of national competitions and major events, and introduced new education and development opportunities across the game.

Matt has also led the development of a growing portfolio of strategic, health, community and commercial partnerships for Walking Football Scotland over recent years. These relationships have helped extend the organisation’s reach, create new opportunities for participants and member clubs, and strengthen the wider impact of walking football across Scotland. Developing existing relationships and establishing new partnerships will remain a key priority as the organisation enters its next phase of growth.

Matt has played a leading role in the development of Walking Football Scotland’s representative pathway, including the introduction and development of Regional Teams across Scotland. This provided an important foundation for the next stage of the representative game and Scotland’s historic first international appearance at the inaugural UEFA Walking Football EURO Cup in Switzerland in June 2026.

Building on that milestone, Walking Football Scotland is now preparing for the rollout of National Teams across all age categories, with National Team Manager positions set to be advertised shortly and appointments to be announced in due course.

His contribution has helped strengthen Walking Football Scotland’s position within Scottish football and the wider health and wellbeing sector, as the organisation continues to demonstrate the important role walking football can play in improving physical and mental wellbeing, reducing social isolation and creating lasting social connections.

As Chief Executive Officer, Matt will provide strategic and operational leadership for Walking Football Scotland, working closely with the Board of Trustees to deliver the charity’s vision and long-term strategic objectives.

A key focus will be expanding opportunities to participate in walking football across all areas of Scotland, including developing the game further in communities where opportunities are currently limited. Growing women’s walking football and creating sustainable pathways for increased female participation will also form an important part of the organisation’s future strategy.

Matt will lead Walking Football Scotland’s work to strengthen and diversify its income through funding, sponsorship and commercial partnerships, helping build the financial sustainability required to support the charity’s long-term ambitions. He will also continue to develop relationships with the Scottish FA, Scottish Para Football, local authorities, health organisations, commercial partners and other key stakeholders.

As the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer, Matt will act as a principal ambassador for Walking Football Scotland, representing the charity and promoting both the continued development of the game and its wider contribution to health, wellbeing and communities across Scotland.

He will also oversee the organisation’s day-to-day operations and support its growing network of staff, coordinators and volunteers, while working with the Board to ensure Walking Football Scotland continues to operate to high standards of governance, accountability and regulatory compliance.

Alongside his role with Walking Football Scotland, Matt works professionally within community football, where he has extensive experience in developing and delivering participation programmes, including initiatives supporting people living with dementia, Parkinson’s, hearing loss and other long-term health conditions through football.

Speaking on behalf of the Board of Trustees, President David Winnie said:

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees of Walking Football Scotland, I am delighted to welcome the appointment of Matt Ramsay as our Chief Executive Officer.

This is another significant step forward for Walking Football Scotland and reflects the ambition we have for the future of the organisation and the sport across Scotland.

Matt has demonstrated tireless energy, enthusiasm and devotion to WFS, and his contribution to the organisation has been immense. He has consistently gone above and beyond in his work on behalf of Walking Football Scotland, and this appointment is a fitting recognition of that commitment.

We are fortunate to have someone with Matt’s passion, drive and knowledge leading WFS into its next chapter. The Board and I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to grow the game, expand participation and ensure that Scotland remains at the forefront of walking football”

Commenting on his appointment, Matt Ramsay said:

“It is a tremendous privilege to become the first Chief Executive Officer of Walking Football Scotland, and I was honoured to be asked to take on the role by our newly strengthened and highly experienced Board of Trustees.

Having served as a Trustee for the past nine years, I have been fortunate to see first-hand how far Walking Football Scotland has come. That progress has only been possible because of the incredible commitment of our trustees, volunteers, member clubs, referees, coaches and partners across the country. Together, we have built strong foundations and an organisation that continues to grow in both its reach and impact.

There is still enormous potential for walking football in Scotland. We want to take the game into more communities, increase opportunities for women to participate, continue developing our regional and national pathways, support our member clubs and volunteers, and build the partnerships and resources that will allow us to deliver our ambitions sustainably.

Walking football has the ability to make a genuine difference to people’s lives, whether that is through becoming more physically active, improving health and wellbeing, reconnecting with football or simply finding friendship and a sense of belonging. Ensuring more people have the opportunity to experience those benefits will remain at the heart of everything we do.

I would like to thank the Board of Trustees for the confidence they have placed in me. I am excited about what lies ahead and look forward to working alongside our Board, member clubs, the Scottish FA, Scottish Para Football and our many health, community and commercial partners as we take Walking Football Scotland into the next stage of its development.”

Walking Football Scotland supports thousands of participants across Scotland through its member clubs, leagues, competitions, representative programmes and wider participation activity.

The appointment of the organisation’s first Chief Executive Officer represents another significant step in Walking Football Scotland’s development as it continues its mission to grow the game, strengthen its membership and use the power of walking football to help create healthier, more active and better-connected communities across Scotland.