Walking Football Scotland Scottish Cup and Festival 2019

Working in partnership with Glasgow Sport, The Scottish Football Partnership Trust and the Scottish FA we are delighted to invite you to sign up for this year’s walking football Scottish Cup and Festival, returning once again to Glasgow Green Football Centre on Saturday June 29th.

We are delighted this year to announce there will be two different age groups, competing for two Scottish Walking Football Cups, an Over 65’s Scottish Cup alongside the established Over 50’s Scottish Cup.

On the same day as the competitive competitions, we are excited to offer a non-competitive element where teams can sign up and participate in either the Scottish Cup or take part in the friendly Festival. 

So come along and be crowned Scottish walking football Champions or enter and be part of a wonderful friendly Festival and showcase walking football being played at its best.

Scottish Cup (Over 50’s only), will be competitive in nature and is priced at £50 per team.  Maximum of 24 teams can take part. (Clubs can initially enter only 1 team. Depending on demand further teams may be added) ***players must be 50 years old, or older, on the day of competition***

Scottish Cup (Over 65’s only), will be competitive in nature and is priced at £50 per team.  Looking to host approx. 24 teams. (Clubs can initially enter only 1 team. Depending on demand further teams may be added) ***players must be born in the year 1954 old, or older, on the day of competition***

Festival will be non-competitive and friendly in nature and is priced at £35 per team.  Maximum of 64 teams can take part. Come and try walking football. (Clubs can enter more than 1 team) and adults 18 years+ who play with the true ethos of walking football and play fair and safe are more than welcome to take part. No medals, No trophies. Come enjoy the camaraderie and fun.

We hope that with over 80 affiliated Walking Football Scotland clubs, you will sign up to take part in this festival of walking football.

Please sign up at your earliest and not be disappointed.

You can sign up directly by emailing club confirmation details to Matt.Ramsay@glasgowlife.org.uk

Click on link below to see the animated poster:

https://indd.adobe.com/view/73b9fc92-d9ce-4238-8cd1-331077575d3d

Walking Football Scotland would like to thank Raspberry Horse Ltd, Ayr for the art work

Some of the crowd from last years Cup and Festival

Last Years Winners Gretna 2008 receive the Scottish Cup from WFS patron Rose Reilly

Over 50's National League 27th March 2019

Hearts looking for a Hat-Trick

Walking Football Scotland along with our partners North Lanarkshire Leisure and Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire are looking forward to next Wednesday (27th March 2019), to kick off the third Over 50’s National walking football league at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility.

Fixtures will be held between 12.15pm – 1.15pm each month on the following dates:

• Wednesday 27th March

• Wednesday 24th April

• Wednesday 29th May

• Wednesday 28th August

• Wednesday 25th September

  October and November dates to be confirmed

Hearts 56 receive last seasons National League Trophy from Scottish football legend David Hay.

Twelve teams have entered the competition in this year’s Over 50’s age group and Heart of Midlothian 56 will be defending the title they have won for the past two years. (No pressure). Last season’s final day saw Hearts 56 win the trophy after holding off Hearts 98, Gala Fairydean Rovers and Glasgow Sport West, with only two points separating the top four positions.

The teams this year:

Alloa

Ayr United

Gala Fairydean Rovers

Glasgow Sport East

Glasgow Sport West

Hearts 56

Hearts 98

Motherwell CT  

North Lanarkshire Leisure

Oriam

Stenhousemuir FC                 

Tullibody

Games will be played between 12.15pm – 1.15pm and everyone is asked to arrive no later than 11:30am, to be registered in plenty of time to change and warm up.

Note for all TEAMS

Points : Three points for a win and One point for a draw.

Fixtures 27th March

Over 50's Walking Football League

Fixture 1

Pitch 1:            Glasgow Sport East                vs                     Motherwell CT

Pitch 2:            North Lanarkshire Leisure    vs                     Alloa

Pitch 3:            Gala Fairydean Rovers           vs                     Oriam

Pitch 4:            Glasgow Sport West               vs                     Tullibody 

Pitch 5:            Hearts 56                               vs                     Ayr United

Pitch 6:            Stenhousemuir                         vs                     Hearts 98

Fixture 2

Pitch 1:            Hearts 98                                vs                     Glasgow Sport West

Pitch 2:            Ayr United                              vs                     Motherwell

Pitch 3:            Hearts 56                                vs                     Oriam

Pitch 4:            Stenhousemuir FC                 vs                     Gala Fairydean Rovers

Pitch 5:            Alloa                                      vs                     Glasgow Sport East

Pitch 6:            Tullibody                                  vs                     North Lanarkshire Leisure

Fixture 3

Pitch 1:            Hearts 56                                vs                     Stenhousemuir

Pitch 2:            Alloa                                       vs                     Tullibody

Pitch 3:            Glasgow Sport East                vs                     Ayr United

Pitch 4:            North Lanarkshire Leisure    vs                     Hearts 98

Pitch 5:            Motherwell                             vs                     Oriam

Pitch 6:            Glasgow Sport West               vs                     Gala Fairydean Rovers

Walking Football Scotland wishes all participating teams the best of luck.

Please remember the spirit of the game and always conduct yourself in line with the WFS and your own club’s Code of Conduct.  

First Walking Football League for Over 65's

Walking Football Scotland would like to thank North Lanarkshire Leisure and Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire for their support in hosting the Inaugural Over 65 National walking football League at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility yesterday 11th March 2019.

Walking Football Scotland would also like to thank the teams for making this a success and wish them well throughout the season.

The League table will be updated every month and will be available on the WFS website www.walkingfootballscotland.org.uk and at www.nlleisure.co.uk

The results from day one were as follows:

League Positions after the first session:

Below are some action shots from the day.

First Ever Over 65 Walking Football League

Walking Football Scotland along with our partners North Lanarkshire Leisure and Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire are looking forward to next Monday (11th March 2019),  to kick off the Inaugural Over 65’s National walking football league at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility.

Fixtures will be held between 12.15pm – 1.15pm each month on the following dates:

• Monday 11th March

• Monday 8th April

• Monday 13th May

• Monday 12th August

• Monday 9th September

• Monday 14th October

Ten teams have entered the competition in this the first year for an Over 65 age group.

The teams:

Active Stirling

Ayr United Football Academy

East Kilbride Gerihatricks

Gala Fairydean Rovers

Glasgow Sport

Heart of Midlothian

North Lanarkshire Leisure A

North Lanarkshire Leisure B

Tullibody

Tweedvale Walking Football team

Games will be played between 12.15pm – 1.15pm and everyone is asked to arrive no later than 11:30am,  to be registered in plenty of time to change and warm up.

Note for all TEAMS

Every team will play outside 4 times across the year. (where possible) The teams will play outside twice in a row on pitch 5 before then completing the rest of their fixtures inside. This ensures throughout the course of the league every team play the same amount of games inside and outside. So in the first set of fixtures both Hearts and Glasgow Sport will be outside twice.

Points : Three points for a win and One point for a draw.

Fixtures 11th March

Fixture 1

Pitch 1: North Lanarkshire Leisure (A)          vs                Tweedvale Walking Football

Pitch 2: Ayr United                                        vs                North Lanarkshire Leisure (B)

Pitch 3: Tullibody                                            vs                Active Stirling

Pitch 4: East Kilbride Gerihatricks                 vs                Glasgow Sport

Pitch 5: Gala Fairydean Rovers                      vs                 Hearts

Fixture 2

Pitch 1: Tweedvale Walking Football            vs                     Ayr United

Pitch 2: North Lanarkshire Leisure (A)          vs                    Tullibody

Pitch 3: North Lanarkshire Leisure (B)          vs                   East Kilbride Gerihatricks

Pitch 4: Active Stirling                                    vs                 Gala Fairydean Rovers

Pitch 5: Glasgow Sport                                  vs                   Hearts

Fixture 3

Pitch 1: Tullibody                                           vs                   Tweedvale Walking Football

Pitch 2: East Kilbride Gerihatricks                vs                   Ayr United

Pitch 3: Gala Fairydean Rovers                     vs                   North Lanarkshire Leisure (A)

Pitch 4: Hearts                                                vs                    North Lanarkshire Leisure (B)

Pitch 5: Glasgow Sport                                   vs                    Active Stirling

Walking Football Scotland wishes all participating teams the best of luck.

Please remember the spirit of the game and always conduct yourself in line with the WFS and your own club’s Code of Conduct.

We All Have Mental Health

Robert Nesbitt, Head of Physical Activity and Sport, SAMH with some of the first signatories to Scotland’s Mental Health Charter in Glasgow.

Scotland’s Mental Health Charter for Physical Activity and Sport aims to improve equality and reduce discrimination for anyone with a mental health problem and to remove any and all barriers and allow participation for all.

Walking Football Scotland feels this is core to what we wish to achieve and were proud to make the commitment and create an action plan and strategy, enabling us to meet the needs of the Charter.

We are delighted to be part of this video highlighting some of the groups working with SAMH and Scotland’s Mental Health Charter.

Walking Football Scotland is proud to be an early signatory of the Charter and urge any groups or organisations to get involved and sign up to the Charter if they can.

Chairman Gary McLaughlin said: “We are fortunate in walking football that the connections to good mental health are apparent early on and occur naturally within our groups. Signing up to the Charter reinforces our commitment as a Board of Trustees and being part of our action plan ensures we keep good practise and observance to Mental Health at all times.

We share and believe in the Charter’s principal, we are committed to preventing any barriers that stops any of our participants, friends and communities in engaging, participating and achieving their goals.  We are committed to increase our awareness, creating a deeper knowledge and understanding of Mental Health and Wellbeing for all. We all have a social responsibility and this is core to Walking Football Scotland.”

Robert Nesbitt, Head of Physical Activity and Sport, SAMH said:

“Physical activity and sports communities across Scotland are recognising the importance that sports, such as football, are having on participants mental health and wellbeing.  Importantly, they are also taking action, challenging stigma and improving equality for all.  Creating the right environment and culture encourages positive conversations around mental health and wellbeing and promotes social connectedness, all of which enables participants to engage, participate and achieve”.

Festive Frolics at walking football Christmas Festival in Largs

The teams who took part in the first walking football festival held in Largs.

A very successful first-ever walking football festival was staged at the Weir 3G Indoor Centre of the Sportscotland Inverclyde National Sports Centre in Largs.

Largs Walking Football Group, one of our newest member clubs hosted a fun festival and invited Walking Football Scotland participants from Inverkip, Irvine and Ayr United Football Academy. Craig Hamilton, Football Development Officer for KA Leisure and Scottish FA organised the event after discussions with Drew Cochrane who started the Largs walking football group and WFS Chair Gary McLaughlin, who acted as a referee on the day.

There were so many players that a fifth team was formed from the Largs, Inverkip and Ayr players which led to 12 separate games being played on the two artificial grass pitches.

The games were played in the true spirit of walking football and everyone had a fantastic day of activity and sport.

At a lunch and fun awards ceremony individual trophies were presented to 'best players', Gerry Begley (Largs), Angus Bowes (Inverkip), Tony Fenley (Irvine) and Jackie Boyd (Ayr).  Double goalscorer of the day was David Baxter of Largs, goal of the day from Brian Pitt of Ayr, 'Runner' of the day, Danny McPake (Largs) and a special scorer award to 82 year old Alan Sutherland of Irvine Portal.

Drew Cochrane, Co-ordinator of the Largs club said: "We're really chuffed that having only started the walking football sessions in August that we attracted 52 players to our mini-fest. The activity has really taken off."

Craig Hamilton, who coaches the North Ayrshire teams, was delighted that the Festive Friendly Festival paid off and the day was so successful he is already planning to do it again next year.

Craig said: “We are delighted to host our first ever walking football festival here in North Ayrshire and would like to thank all of the players for coming along and participating. A big thank you to Inverclyde National Sports Centre and all the staff who looked after us, as well as Walking Football Scotland for their ongoing guidance and support. There were 52 players here today, as well as some supporters cheering on the teams. For some of them it was a reunion with people who they played against many years ago. The physical and mental health benefits of Walking Football are clear for all to see as well as the social side of the game with people interacting with like-minded individuals. A fantastic day, I’m really pleased with how it went and look forward to the next one.”

Gary McLaughlin Chair of Walking Football Scotland said: “A fantastic first for North Ayrshire and huge thanks to Craig and Drew for making this event happen. Also our thanks to John Brown of the Scottish FA and the excellent staff at the National Sports Centre in Largs for looking after us so well.”

 Photographs courtesy of John Keachie.

Largs Walking Football Group

Irvine Portal Group

Ayr United Football Academy Walking Football Club

Inverkip Walking Football Group

Walking Football Scotland would like to thank KA Leisure for their support.

Christmas Jumpers take to the walking football field

Santa’s helper joined the Kirriemuir squad for a walking football session.

The Kirriemuir Walking Football Group is made up of 20 or so hardy souls who play all year round outdoors no matter the weather. Ages of the players range from 52 to 79 years old with Bill Morrison being the oldest player aged 79 years young, who is joined every session by his son, also Bill weighing in at 56 years, young.

Bill senior was out with the group last Monday for the festive walking football session proudly sporting his Christmas jumper alongside a few others as can be seen. Temperatures were hovering just above freezing and Bill joined in with his usual gusto and everyone had an enjoyable session with a special Christmas atmosphere.

The photographs were taken by Alan Edwards who is taking over the organising of group in January, replacing Tony Smith who started up the group in 2016.

Many thanks to Kirriemuir for sending in their story and Walking Football Scotland are delighted to pass it on along with our Christmas best wishes.

We remind other groups to please, send in articles on your group and we will try and use them. It helps everyone to see walking football developing across the country.

Hearts 56 Winners of the Walking Football Scotland National League

Hearts 56 captain Jimmy Bremner receives the National League Trophy from David Hay.

Congratulations to Hearts 56 on retaining the Walking Football Scotland National League trophy today (December 5) at the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility.

An exciting final day saw Hearts 56 win the trophy after holding off Hearts 98, Gala Fairydean Rovers and Glasgow Sport West, with only two points separating the top four positions.

This is the second National Walking Football League hosted by North Lanarkshire Leisure and supported by Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire and yet again proved to be a huge success.

Walking Football Scotland would like to thank all the participating teams, the referees, coaching staff of North Lanarkshire Leisure for making this such a fabulous event and to David Hay who presented the trophy to the winners, for his continued support.

The Final League Positions.

Football Legend David Hay presenting the victorious Hearts 56 team with the League Trophy today.

Final Scores

Ravenscraig League Fixtures for 5th December 2018

The final walking football League meeting of the current season held at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility is due to be played on Wednesday the 5th December.

The league title is still up for grabs and with some cracking fixtures left to play, it is looking like nothing will be decided till the last games are finished.

Football legend David Hay has kindly agreed to present the trophy once again and we are looking forward to a fantastic day of walking football and the social gathering at the end of play.

Many thanks to the clubs and players for their support and we hope you have enjoyed yourselves as much as we have. WFS urge all the participants to enjoy the games and to remember the quote from famous sports author Eduardo Galeano from one of his books. “ We lost, we won, either way we had fun.”

Walking Football Scotland would like to thank Nicky Laughlin, Scott Currie and all the staff from North Lanarkshire Leisure who make this event so enjoyable. The referees for their patience and participation and to Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire for their continued support.

Your support enables a lot of over 50’s to keep active and engaged.

THANK YOU!

Ravenscraig League Table Positions and Results November 2018

Hearts 98 pull slightly ahead today in the League with one session left to be played on the 5th December. It is all still to be played for with the top three so close together.

Action from the Hearts 56 V Gala Fairydean Rovers 1-1 draw today

Ravenscraig League Fixtures for the 21st November

Two points separate first and fourth place in the league with only two more set of fixtures left to play. It has never been tighter at the top of the walking football league, with both Hearts teams sitting joint first and second on the same amount of points and Gala Fairydean Rovers in third. The top three teams are being chased by a Glasgow Sport West in superb form after winning all their games at the last session in October.

Good luck to everyone taking part next week.

Football Memories Scotland National Convention

l-r Robert Craig, Chair of Football Memories Scotland and Scottish Football Museum, Matt Ramsay WFS, Gary McLaughlin WFS and Richard McBrearty, Football Memories Project Director.

Walking Football Scotland was represented at the Football Memories Scotland - 1st National Convention at Hampden Park last week by Chairman Gary McLaughlin and Trustee Matt Ramsay.

Robert Craig welcomed everyone and Joe Fitzpatrick MSP, Minister for Public Health and Sport addressed a packed room at Hampden Park, before splitting up into workshop groups.

Robert Craig, chair of Football Memories Scotland and Sports Heritage Scotland, said: “The convention is a celebration of where we’ve got to, and also a learning event,”

The workshops were designed to help with understanding and learning and proved to be a huge success and provided a wonderful opportunity to network and exchange ideas.

Workshops

1    “Functional Activities for All” - Care Inspectorate -

2    “Active Memories” - Hampden Sports Clinic -

3    “Walking Football” - Walking Football Scotland -

4     “Deaf and Dementia Awareness” - BDA Scotland -

5     “Football and Dementia” - Alzheimer Scotland –

6     “Football and Social History” - Football Memories Scotland –

Walking Football Scotland presentation

Walking Football Scotland Chairman Gary McLaughlin said: “The day was a great success and we were delighted to be a part of it. It was especially pleasing to be asked to speak on Walking Football Scotland and the physical and mental health benefits enjoyed by walking football participants.”

“Football memories has a special place within the walking football community and the work carried out by Richard McBrearty and everyone involved with this project is simply awesome”

Walking Football Scotland Trustee Matt Ramsay said : “This was a terrific event for networking, as well as the opportunity to present the developments and benefits of walking football to an already interested audience.”

First Ever Walking Football Competition for Over 65's

Some of the walking football participants at Toryglen Regional Sports Centre

Congratulations to Glasgow Sport for hosting the first ever walking football tournament for over 65’s at Toryglen Regional Football Centre on Wednesday 7th November.

The successful event saw 16 teams from across the country compete for the inaugural Glasgow Cup. Walking Football Scotland were delighted that 150 participants representing clubs from the Borders as far as Dundee supported this great initiative. It was so well received that WFS will look to roll out more events for our older aged participants.

The eventual winners were Ayr United, who triumphed after winning 2-0 against Gerihatricks in the final. Both semi finals were closely fought with Ayr United defeating Heart of Midlothian on penalties and Gerihatricks beating hosts Glasgow Sport 1-0.

Glasgow Sport’s, Sport Participation Officer Matt Ramsay said: “This has been an event which has brought much reward seeing so many happy faces and starts the introduction of a new Over 65 competition - one which we hope to see now annually. 

Working closely with WFS I am delighted that we in Glasgow could host the first proper competitive Over 65s event. The future is certainly bright and there’s no reason why this can’t be the start of things to come”

Gary McLaughlin chair of Walking Football Scotland said: “This has been a tremendous success today, it is especially pleasing to see 150 players over 65 having a wonderful time playing walking football. Competition brings its challenges, and even at 65 there is still a huge will to win. It is credit to the teams who took part that we can still enjoy playing football and Matt and his team were so organised that everything ran so well.”

Walking Football Scotland was delighted to support our charity partners Prostate Cancer UK who took the opportunity to speak to all players as well as receive donations totalling £241.87.

Nicola Davidson, Fundraising Coordinator Scotland said: “It was a brilliant day and we are looking forward to attending future games across Scotland. Our Volunteers loved the experience and our staff team are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to raise awareness and funds for Prostate Cancer UK.”

Walking Football Scotland would like to thank Matt and his staff for what was a terrific day and we all look forward to being back at next year’s Glasgow Over 65’s Cup.

The winning Ayr United team at their presentation.

A series of photographs from the successful over 65’s event.

All images are copyright of Walking Football Scotland 

Walking Football Partnership with Drinkaware

Helping walking football participants across Scotland make better choices about their drinking.

l-r Andy Gould, Scottish FA Head of Football Development, Gary McLaughlin, Chairman of Walking Football Scotland, Ian Maxwell, Chief Executive of the Scottish FA, Elaine Hindal, Drinkaware Chief Executive and Craig Brown CBE.

The Scottish FA welcomed national alcohol education charity Drinkaware as a new research partner of walking football and Walking Football Scotland are delighted to play their part in the partnership.

Working together, Drinkaware will gather vital information from walking football participants on their health and alcohol consumption, allowing them to monitor participants’ drinking habits and subsequently try to improve them.

Drinkaware will also distribute information on drinking and its effects on health to our participants in order to educate them on the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption and the benefits of regular exercise.

The partnership was launched at Lesser Hampden on 23 October, with a team of Drinkaware ambassadors, watching a walking football match, organised by WFS Trustee Matt Ramsay and meeting former Scotland National Team manager Craig Brown CBE and others passionate about walking football.

Great to see the players enjoying walking football at Lesser Hampden.

Gary McLaughlin, Chairman of Walking Football Scotland said: “This partnership encourages us to talk about alcohol and drinking habits. Drinkaware provides easy access to tools and information to help work out the amounts we are drinking and to educate ourselves and be more aware of the risks of misuse.

“Walking Football Scotland are delighted to be working with both these organisations to deliver better informed choices about drinking”

Elaine Hindal, Drinkaware Chief Executive, said: “Drinkaware is delighted to be the headline partner of walking football in Scotland.

“Walking football is an increasingly popular and fun way for older people to improve their health and wellbeing and we are committed to finding new and innovative ways of reducing the harms caused by alcohol.

“Working in partnership with Walking Football Scotland and the Scottish Football Association is a fantastic new opportunity, which allows us to work directly with communities across Scotland to help people make better choices about their drinking.”

Ian Maxwell, Chief Executive of the Scottish FA, said: “Walking football is a fast-growing initiative with clear health benefits, which dovetails with Drinkaware’s mission of promoting healthier lifestyles through a reduction in alcohol consumption.

“The health benefits of both responsible, informed drinking and increasing participation in sport are obvious. We are extremely pleased to welcome Drinkaware on board to both help to grow this wonderful sport and improve knowledge and awareness of responsible drinking.”

Craig Brown, who is also a patron of Walking Football Scotland, said: “Walking football is a fantastic way for people of my generation, who are perhaps no longer able to play at a quick pace, to participate in this wonderful sport and remain active.

“Drinkaware’s mission of promoting healthier lifestyles ties in perfectly with the ethos of walking football, which is to provide a platform for as many people as possible to remain fit and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.”

Supported by the Scottish FA and Walking Football Scotland, the sport aims to improve, maintain and promote the physical, mental and social wellbeing of older adults through a slower-paced version of the beautiful game.

FOOTBALL FOR LIFE

l-r Gary McLaughlin, Elaine Hindal and Andy Gould at the launch

Drinkaware Ambassadors joined Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Exec., Craig Brown and others pitch side at Hampden park.

For further information on Drinkaware, please go to link below;

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/

Ravenscraig League Table Positions and Results October 2018

It is getting tighter at the top of the walking football league, with both Hearts teams in 1st and second positions and Gala Fairydean Rovers in third. The top three teams are closely followed by a Glasgow Sport West in superb form after winning all three of their fixtures today.

Photographs courtesy of Derek McCabe

RESULTS