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Our competitive league season kicked off today in Toryglen Regional Football Centre with the 𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧 60'𝙨 𝙒𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙘𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥.
After 3 wins each, Ayr Utd and Glasgow Life top the league however, we would like to commend all teams participating for being terrific walking football ambassadors for the clubs they represent, with the spirit in which games were played today.
Please see below league table and results from today’s matches.
Tomorrow kicks off the competitive Walking Football season for 2023 and we will be in Toryglen Regional Football Centre with the newly refurbished indoor pitch.
12 teams will battle it out to become 𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧 60'𝙨 𝙒𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙘𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 Champions and we are delighted to welcome newcomers Annan Athletic, Largs, Pollok Thistle and Whitletts Vics whom will make their competitive league debut tomorrow.
We wish all teams the very best for the new season and remind all players to remember the ethos of walking football and play with a smile on your face!
𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟲𝟬'𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗙𝗶𝘅𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 - 𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯
With 1 week to go before our competitive league season commences, we would like to share that you can now download the full and simplified versions of our supplementary laws of the game.
We encourage all clubs across Scotland to use these updated rules at their sessions at local levels to ensure a standardised approach to the game and we thank the support from our Referees for their input in ironing out a few areas.
We have focussed on player safety at the heart of these changes and therefore with this in mind, all walking football will now be non-contact.
All competitive teams taking part in our league this season will have received a copy pre Christmas, however everyone can download them here:
Dunbar walking footballer Chris Wilkins, has been awarded the honour of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to loneliness and supporting those living with dementia in the 2023 New Year Honours List.
Chris, who is the CEO and Co-Founder of Sporting Memories launched the group in 2011 to support older people, and particularly those living with long-term conditions like dementia and those experiencing loneliness; using sport to reconnect them with their peers and their local communities.
For over a decade under Chris’s continuing leadership, Sporting Memories has been dedicated to bringing older people together by providing them with a welcoming and supportive environment, and a carefully developed set of activities designed to help build confidence and improve their lives for the better.
The organisation now has a vast network of clubs across Scotland, England and Wales, using the power of sport to engage older people through reminiscence and inclusive physical activities.
Speaking after receiving the news of his MBE, Chris reflected; “I’d really like to dedicate this award to all of the wonderful people that have been part of the Sporting Memories journey over the past 12 years – including our staff, our partners, our funders but most important of all, our incredible volunteers, club members and carers. Without everyone’s contribution we wouldn’t have been able to connect with so many people in so many communities or make such a positive impact on the wellbeing and happiness of older sports fans.”
Chris who lives in Dirleton, East Lothian initially started playing walking football almost four years ago and now regularly embarks on a thirty five mile round trip to play at Dunbar every week and says "Walking football has become an indispensable part of my week. It is not only a complete break from the pressures of work but it helps to keep me physically active and the camaraderie with the other players is very special; it's a chance to re-live some of the fun of playing team sports as a youngster."
Congratulations Chris - a marvellous achievement.👏👏👏
According to the British Heart Foundation, there are around 3,200 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Scotland every year. Efforts to improve survival mean that one in ten people now survive such an event, compared to one in twenty in 2015. Continued efforts could improve this even further.
Since experiencing a heart attack over six year ago, popular Hearts walking footballer Paul Burns has regularly raised awareness of CPR training and the importance of defibrillators and has raised thousands of pounds to supply defibrillators to local communities.
Paul is one of life's extremely positive people and is constantly promoting the benefits of walking football to anyone who listens and plays the game in the sporting, encouraging way it should be.
Here is Paul's inspiring story........
"On the 3rd of April 2016, I decided not to go for a run up the Pentland Hills, instead I would go and play football at the Hibernian training ground - a decision that saved my life. On that Sunday morning, I headed off to the training ground for the first time to play football with my fellow “FFIT” (football fans in training) graduates. It’s a wonderful initiative developed across most football clubs in Scotland, if you are reading this and feel a tad overweight it’s well worth looking into.
I travelled like a teenager playing for a new boy’s club for the first time. I was so excited driving to the ground. I arrived with no time to warm up, was told what team I was in and the game commenced. For fifty minutes, I felt like I was rolling back the years. I had only ever wanted to become a professional football player and have wonderful memories of my younger years training with Hibs as a Schoolboy, Captaining Edinburgh Schools and winning a Scottish Juvenile Cup with an unbeatable Tartan/Hutchie Vale team.
I didn’t feel quite myself in the last ten minutes of the match and I was relieved when it ended. However, as it had been such a great match everyone wanted to play an extra half hour. A couple of the guys expressed their concern at how I looked but I didn’t want to drop out and make it an uneven number so decided to take it easy and play. After only about 5 minutes I got the ball square in the nether regions and collapsed. I can remember everything about that day until that moment.
Many thought that I was having an epileptic fit, but they weren’t to know that I was having a massive heart attack which resulted in a cardiac arrest. Hibs Physiotherapist, Kitty Forrest was working that morning and was asked to help. She firstly administered two rounds of CPR and after I failed to respond she used a defibrillator to get my heart back into rhythm. I was rushed to hospital and had stents inserted to unblock my arteries.
It was only when I went back to the training ground a few weeks later that I realised how many people assisted in saving my life that day and I am eternally grateful to each and every one of them. Thank goodness Kitty and the defibrillator machine were at hand otherwise I would most certainly have died.
Following this I was encouraged to give walking football a try and have never looked back, now playing around the country with a great bunch of lads at Hearts (even though I'm a Hibby)
Fortunately it wasn’t my turn on the 3rd of April 2016. My life was saved by the use of a defibrillator. I would encourage every walking football group to have a defibrillator available at every session with as many players as possible trained in CPR.
Thanks for reading my story - Paul"
Paul has helped raise over £13k which has provided several defibrillators and cabinets within local communities through the St John Scotland who do a magnificent job delivering CPR training and supplying defibrillators across the country.
We appreciate that times are currently very challenging, however if you would like to make a small contribution to St John's, please click on:
St John Scotland
If your walking football group are interested in organising a CPR training session for your members please email: info@stjohnscotland.org.uk
As the competitive side of Scottish walking football takes a well earned summer break, most recreational sessions are still in action with around 200 sessions available right across Scotland from Shetland to Gretna and from Campbelltown across to Dunbar.
Now is the time to give walking football a try, so why not find a session near you by clicking on the Join In section of our website.
🌐 https://www.walkingfootballscotland.org/joinin
You'll not regret it....😊⚽️⚽️😊
What a fantastic day in Glasgow on Saturday 11th June 2022 as Walking Football Scotland hosted their first National Scottish Cup and Festival since 2019 following a three year interruption due to the covid pandemic.
Just under 600 players descended on Glasgow Green Football Centre under ever changing weather conditions as we hosted Over 50’s, Over 60’s, Over 70’s and Over 40’s Womens Scottish Cups respectively.
Event organiser Matt Ramsay said: “It’s been a long time coming and I’m delighted to welcome back so many teams and players for the biggest one day walking football event in the world! To see players interact, compete and simply enjoy the game and the many benefits with a smile on their face, is what makes such events all the worthwhile. The added bonus is the opportunity to promote what WFS do and we are grateful to the BBC for the live radio coverage helping us to encourage more people to get involved in walking football.”
One thing that is special about our festival is the opportunity to allow people simply to come and play without the focus on results or winning. Our Over 40’s Non-competitive festival offers just that, where over 100 players were able to enjoy the many benefits the game has to offer. We again welcomed teams from all over Scotland as far as Fort William and also had a ‘first’ with Glasgow Life - Parkinson’s team taking part in their first ever event.
WFS Chairman, David Hyland said:
"The whole day from the competitive element to festival is so special to us, I can't think when I've enjoyed a day of me NOT playing walking football more!
To see the joy and camaraderie of everyone taking part in what we believe to be the world's largest single day Walking Football event since covid, was priceless. It's great to welcome everyone back.The weather was against us but spirits weren’t dampened.
A very big thank you to everyone who took part and a very special thank you to our inspirational patron, Rose Reilly, MBE, who spent the whole day with us.”
In the afternoon, some of our team were in for a real treat as they took to the field to play against a BBC Sportsound team which included players such as Scottish internationlists James McFadden and Chris Burke, former Rangers manager Graham Murty, Kris Doolan, Lee Millar and BBC Scotland presenter Kenny MacIntyre.
We were delighted to also welcome our friends at St John Scotland who provided CPR and defibrillator demonstrations as players waited between their games and thank their volunteers for the committment during the day.
FINAL RESULTS
There were four Scottish Cup categories with some very competitive games, which carried into the finals with 3 out of the 4 going to penalties after 0-0 matches.
Over 50’s Scottish Cup Final
Giffnock SC Auld Timers v Pollok Utd
Winners | Pollok United - winning on penalties
Over 60’s Scottish Cup Final
Townhead Strollers v Alloa Athletic
Winners | Townhead Strollers - 3-1
Over 70’s Scottish Cup Final
Stenhousemuir v Fife Wanderers
Winners | Stenhousemuir winning on penalties
Over 40's Women’s Scottish Cup Final
Giffnock SC v Braehead
Winners | Giffnock winning on penalties
Well done to all our winners and commiserations to our finalists with presentation led by patron Rose Reilly MBE.
Walking Football Scotland would like to say thank you to all players, clubs, coaches, referees and supporters and hope to announce next year’s date very soon.
Pictures courtesy of Hrhphoto
Three years ago in June 2019, Walking Football Scotland staged the largest one day walking football event in the world when over 700 participants took part in our sixth annual Scottish Cup and Festival. Following a three years hiatus of covid-induced isolation, we are so pleased to be back and hope to even top the 2019 figures with entries now pouring in for this years event. Affiliated groups from all across Scotland are reporting increased numbers as we recover from the pandemic and it's wonderful to see so many older men and women getting involved in walking football.
This years event includes tournaments at over 50, 60, 70 and over 40 women plus a fun, non-competive festival for over 40s.
Do not miss the opportunity to take part this year at Glasgow Green on Saturday 11th June, so get your entries in quickly as tournaments are filling up fast.
Full details available at
https://www.walkingfootballscotland.org/new-events/2022/3/10/2022-scottish-cup-amp-festival-launch
The event has now been running since 2015 and here are the previous winners:
𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟓 | 𝐇𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 @ 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐂𝐅𝐀, 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐡
𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟔 | 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 @ 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐂𝐅𝐀, 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐡
𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟕 | 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐧 @ 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐠𝐨𝐰 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧
𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟖 | 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐧𝐚 @ 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐠𝐨𝐰 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧
𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟗 | 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 @ 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐠𝐨𝐰 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧
𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝟔𝟓:
𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟗 | 𝐊𝐢𝐫𝐤𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐲 @ 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐠𝐨𝐰 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧
Below is a list of all women only sessions currently running in Scotland and a list is also available to download at:
All affiliated groups are encouraged to get more women involved, remember it is estimated that more than 53% of the over 50 population in Scotland are female, so what an incredible recruiting opportunity to get more folks playing walking football.
⚽️ Arbroath | Saltire Centre | Mon 7.00-8.00pm | Tel: 07540837872
⚽️ Ayr United | Coylton Centre | Thur 6.00-7.00pm | Tel: 01292 263435
⚽️ Braehead | Braehead Park Stirling | Tuesdays at 6:45pm | e: Kennybroony@gmail.com
⚽️ Carnoustie Panmure | tbc
⚽️ Giffnock | Eastwood Park, Giffnock | Sun 11.00-12.30pm | Tel: 0785 234 9643
⚽️ Glasgow Sport | Toryglen RFC | Thur 7.00-8.00pm | e: football@glasgowlife.org.uk
⚽️ Jeanfield Swifts | North Inch Campus, Perth | Wed 7.30-8.30pm | Tel: 07843 422036
⚽️ Linlithgow Rose | Donaldson School | Wed 7.00-8.00pm | e: lrcfcwf@gmail.com
⚽️ Midlothian | Saltire Soccer Centre, Newtongrange, | Tue & Thur 6.00-7.00pm | Tel: 0131 561 6506
⚽️ Morton | Inverkip Community Hub | Fri 10am – 11am | Tel: 01475 731949.
⚽️ North Lanarkshire Leisure | Townhead Community Centre | Mon 6pm - 7pm | e: football@northlan.gov.uk
⚽️ Stenhousemuir | Ochilview Park | Thur 12.30-1.30pm | Tel: 01324 562992
⚽️ Three Valleys | Lesmahagow High School | Tue 7.00-8.00pm | Tel: 07576 992227
Parkinson’s UK, in partnership with Glasgow Sport, have recently completed a pilot project on the impact of walking football on those living with Parkinson’s through specific walking football sessions.
The aim of the program was to determine the suitability of walking football for players with Parkinson’s and subsequently produce a coaching model for use by groups affiliated to Parkinson’s UK and Walking Football Scotland.
The full report on the project findings are available here: Reports on Walking Football/Parkinsons Project
The sessions are now continuing to run weekly at Toryglen Regional Football Centre on Thursdays from 10-12pm and welcome new players to this exciting initiative. For more information contact football@glasgowlife.org.uk
Below is a short video with comments from a few participants:
🌐 Parkinsons Walking Football Project
ONLINE LEARNING
If you are interested in learning more about Parkinson's, the following online course that will give you access to multimedia resources on Parkinson's and physical activity and exercise. The learning is self-directed and is broken down into different learning units.
You can log in at any time to work through the learning units at a pace that suits you. There are activities to complete throughout and at the end of each unit that will help you apply the knowledge you have gained. A certificate is available to download to self-certify.
🌐 Parkinson's & Physical Exercise
Although the growth of walking football has been slowed down a little over the last couple of years due to the pandemic restrictions, many affiliated groups are beginning to report increased participation and since lockdown rules eased, sixteen new groups have affiliated to Walking Football Scotland.
Although access to indoor facilities may have limitations, many outdoor sessions are really flourishing despite the vagaries of the Scottish weather.
Community football clubs, leisure trusts and independant groups may be considering introducing the game into their local communities and here a few tips on how to launch a walking football group:
✔ Initially recommend taking a trip to your nearest walking football group to see how they started up and now operate.
Directory of affiliated groups: 🌐 Find a Walking Football Group
✔ Download the Members Resource documents from 🌐 Members Resources and adopt/amend as per required. (Checklist, Registration Forms, Rules of the Game etc)
✔Ensure you are aware of all Covid safety requirements by completing the online course at: 🌐 Covid Awareness Training
✔ Contact your local authority sports/football development team, Ageingwell co-ordinator, local football club etc who may help out access facilities, equipment, funding, advertising etc.
✔ Produce posters/flyers etc and distribute round local sports centres, libraries, supermarkets, GP waiting rooms, golf/bowling clubs, pubs etc.
✔ Draft article and send to local newspaper and post on local media Facebook, Twitter etc.
✔ Ensure first aid cover is accessible and it is highly recommended that a Defibrillator is within easy reach.
✔ Word of mouth - spread the word around all your friends, family, previous football team mates etc sharing the many benefits of the walking game.
✔ Affiliate to Walking Football Scotland.
Walking Football Scotland's Patron Rose Reilly was finally presented with her well deserved MBE recently at a prestigous ceremony in Holyrood Palace by HRH Princess Anne.
Rose, who is one of our country’s greatest football players, has received the award for her exceptional services to women’s football when she overcame the odds to succeed in a career during a time the Scottish football authorities declared football was not “a game for ladies.” She then moved to Europe, playing professionally in Italy and France and leading adopted country Italy to two Women's World cup victories in 1984 and 1985.
Following the ceremony she said: “It’s so emotional. I am so proud of myself, women’s football and I am proud for my wee village of Stewarton” and added “This recognition is good for the future players, the wee girls, that they can see that they can achieve something as a woman footballer in Scotland.”
Work is already underway on a film of her life story by Skye-based Chris Young, producer of The Inbetweeners, with the working title “Life of Reilly” and BBC have also produced an excellent documentary which is available online at:
ROSE REILLY BBC DOCUMENTARY
On behalf of all the Scottish walking football community, hearty congratulations Rose, you are a fabulous role model to us all and we thank you for your tireless support of the walking game.
There are numerous psychological and mental health benefits to walking football from building confidence, to helping you meet new people and avoid feelings of isolation. Specifically, it can boost personal reward and satisfaction, while also reducing stress.
It also provides an often-isolated sector of the community the possibility to get involved in something they really enjoy while meeting new people, creating long-term relationships with like-minded others and boosting quality of life.
However following another roller coaster year, the lingering effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have certainly taken a collective toll on our mental health.
There’s no way to know what 2022 has in store for us, nor can self-care erase the grief, trauma or other challenges we may have endured over the last year or so. But as we optimistically look toward to the new year, we can adopt healthy new habits to help incrementally improve our days, even if just for a moment. Sometimes, that’s more than enough.
Listed below are several ideas to consider in the new year:
Spend more time outdoors.
Even when it’s cold outside, spending time outdoors in nature breathing fresh air is good for the body and mind. Mindfulness in nature can boost your mood and even short walks are better than nothing, and a great break during a stressful work day. Leave your phone at home if you can, so you are more aware of your surroundings. Find an outdoor walking football group.
Develop a simple stretching routine.
Even if working out is too much for you to commit to, stretching still releases similiar endorphins.
Devise a simple 15 minute stretching routine and try to do it daily.
Phone or visit a friend.
Be intentional about spending time with the people that matter most. Making a daily phone call or meeting a friend for a chat over a cup of coffee can change everything about the day.
Drink more water.
Water is the essence of us and what we need in order for our micronutrients and functions to operate.
Every system in the human body counts on water to function, and the brain is no exception. In fact, about 75 percent of brain tissue is water. Research has linked dehydration to depression and anxiety, because mental health is driven primarily by your brain’s activity. Long story short, dehydration causes brain functioning to slow down and not function properly. It is important to think of water as a nutrient your brain needs.
Volunteer
Volunteering helps counteract the effects of stress, anger, and anxiety. The social contact aspect of helping and working with others can have a profound effect on your overall psychological well-being. Nothing relieves stress better than a meaningful connection to another person. Working with pets and other animals has also been shown to improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety.
Volunteering also keeps you in regular contact with others and helps you develop a solid support system, which in turn protects you against depression.
Even within walking football there are plenty of positions you can get involved in behind the scenes, whether that’s organisational or administrative roles. Welcoming and supporting new participants, being a team manager, arranging fixtures, or being involved with a management committee of a club can help keep your fellow team mates fully engaged and provide them with a legitimate sense of purpose and belonging.
Consider reducing alcohol consumption
Alcohol and mental health are closely linked. Drinking too much can affect your wellbeing, in fact some may even drink to try to relieve the symptoms of mental ill-health.
Regular, heavy drinking interferes with chemicals in the brain that are vital for good mental health. So while we might feel relaxed after a drink, in the long run alcohol has an impact on mental health and can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety, and make stress harder to deal with.
People drink for a wide range of reasons: to celebrate, socialise, commiserate or drown our sorrows. We may drink to try and change our mood: to feel more relaxed, courageous or confident. However, the effect of alcohol is only temporary. As it wears off, we often feel worse because of how alcohol withdrawal affects our brain and body.
The medical experts recommend that both men and women should not regularly drink more than 14 units a week. This is the equivalent of six pints of average strength beer or six medium glasses of wine. If you regularly drink as much of this, it’s best to spread it over three or more days.
Drinkaware offer the following advice here: Drinkaware
Take up gardening
Gardening helps with mood, concentration and focus. Mental health flourishes when spending time in nature and sunlight while lowering blood pressure and strengthening muscle and body co-ordination.
Watch a funny movie or TV programme
If you are having a sad moment or need a boost of energy, watching something funny can be a great pick-me-up. Smiling and laughter are very positive for your mental health.
Perform an act of kindness
Generosity is key to our positive mental health. An act of kindness towards others may help you understand your own difficulties, increase empathy and gain some perspective.
Create a relaxing bedtime routine
Stress and anxiety are two of the most common reasons for poor sleep. Taking time to unwind ― preferably without your phone for at least 30 minutes before bed ― can help you get a good night’s rest, which in turn improves mood. Read a good book, drink a mug of tea or eat a satisfying dessert or do any activity that calms your mind.
Take five deep breaths
Stress has many physical manifestations, this can include issues like stomachaches or other digestive problems.
By changing your breathing pattern, you can trick your brain into suppressing your fight-or-flight sympathetic nervous system and increase your parasympathetic activity, or rest and digest. Not only will this make you feel calmer, but it will also help you digest your lunch better.
Start a gratitude journal
This only takes a few minutes. Record positive things about your day, whether major achievements or simple pleasures, can reduce stress, improve sleep and even foster better relationships by building a sense of empathy.
Try acupuncture
Studies have shown that acupuncture can help to decrease stress and anxiety. If that isn’t your thing, try another ritual that fits into your routine. It’ll give you a moment to get out of the house and offer a change of surroundings.
Remind yourself that someone else’s mood is not your responsibility.
Don’t take things people say or believe personally. It’s not necessary to give people a pass for their bad behavior, but it’s to remember their bad behavior is not about you. When you don’t take on somebody’s mood as something they are doing to you, you’re actually creating more peace in your life and theirs.
Meditate
Even on the busiest of days, finding just five or 10 minutes to meditate can be beneficial and apps like Calm and Headspace make meditation more accessible than ever. Meditation helps to increase the grey matter in the brain, which helps with mood-related disorders.
Ask for help when you feel a bit over overwhelmed.
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, and people innately want to help one another.https://www.seemescotland.org/
Talk to a therapist
You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Mental health experts can help you manage stress and find ways to cope with problems that may be affecting your daily life.
Other helpful links include:
SAMH: SAMH is Scotland's leading mental health charity who believe there is no health without mental health. They provide help, information and support; to campaign on behalf of people with mental health problems and to raise money to fund their vital work.
SEE ME: See Me is Scotland's Programme to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination. They are funded by the Scottish Government and managed by SAMH and The Mental Health Foundation and are working towards achievement of The Scottish Government’s commitment to create: "A Scotland where people can get the right help at the right time, expect recovery, and fully enjoy their rights, free from stigma and discrimination."
https://www.seemescotland.org/
MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION (Scotland): Their work focuses on overcoming the root causes of poor mental health, particularly social injustice and inequality, to create a wellbeing society that supports good mental health. They lead research, create and deliver programmes, and raise public awareness and understanding of prevention of poor mental health and work in partnership with community groups, public and third sector organisations, and decision-makers to help us reach people and communities, especially those who are at highest risk of poor mental health.
Subject to Covid guidelines, Walking Football Scotland are planning to run regional leagues at over 50, 60 and 70 age groups from March to June & September to November 2022.
Entries for the Walking Football Scotland Regional Leagues 2022 are now invited to the following:
OVER 50:
East @ RCP Dundee - Sundays
Central @ Ravenscraig - Sun/Mon
West @ Toryglen, Glasgow - Sundays
OVER 60:
East @ World of Football, Edinburgh - Wednesdays
Central @ Ravenscraig - Wednesdays
West @ Toryglen, Glasgow - Wednesdays
OVER 70:
National @ Toryglen, Glasgow - Mondays
WOMEN OVER 40:
National Venue and dates TBC
Closing date for entries is Monday 17th January.
Application forms and any other enquiries from: info@walkingfootballscotland.org.
Walking Football Scotland held their Annual General Meeting at Hampden Park, Glasgow on Friday 26th November.
Hosted by the Scottish FA, there was wide representation from member groups attending in person and joining by Zoom.
The meeting was chaired by retiring Chair, Gary McLaughlin. Gary was the first chair of Walking Football Scotland and the meeting put on record their heartfelt thanks and debt of gratitude to Gary for his service to walking football in Scotland. The meeting heard of the hard work and personal sacrifices made by Gary and his family in support of walking football. Gary is a leader in the promotion of the physical and mental health benefits, social inclusion and participation by older adults in a sport which delivers thousands of hours of activity leading to increased preventative health outcomes across Scotland.
In March 2017 Walking Football Scotland was formed with Gary McLaughlin elected Chair along with five other Trustees.
For over four and a half years Gary has worked tirelessly to promote, develop and improve access to walking football throughout Scotland which also included attending and presenting at several conferences across the UK, highlighting the benefits of walking football to the wider community.
Listed below are just a few of the iniatives he has been heavily involved in:
2017:
• Appointed Chair of WFS
• Led the development of WFS's Aims and Objectives, Governance and Strategic Development Plans
• Inaugural WF National League starts at Ravenscraig supported by North Lanarkshire Leisure. 10 teams enter and play monthly through to November.
• Third national WF tournament held at Glasgow Green. 32 teams enter.
• Achieve charitable status (Scottish Charity No: SC047709)
• Affiliated to AgeScotland.
• Official launch at The Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum.
• Website goes live along with Facebook and Twitter accounts.
• Craig Brown and Rose Reilly appointed as Scottish ambassadors for walking football.
2018:
• Creation of strong non-commercial partnerships with Scottish Government, Scottish Football Association, Age Scotland, Paths For All, SAMH and SPFL Trust
• Partnership with Cardiac Science Defibrillators announced.
• Walking Football Scotland win the Age Scotland Jess Barrow Award for Campaigning and Influencing.
• First Scottish all-women walking football event takes place in Perth involving teams from Montrose and Perth
• Announce Charity partnership with Prostate Cancer UK.
• 4th Annual National Cup & Festival attracts a record 56 teams and over 500 participants.
• WFS is one of the first sports bodies to sign up to SAMH mental health charter.
• Creates new partnership with Drinkaware
• First ever national tournament for participants aged over 65
• First WFS Annual General Meeting at Hampden Park
2019:
• 5th Annual National Cup & Festival attracts over 700 participants - largest walking football event in the world to date.
• Gary receives UEFA Silver Award for services to football.
• Conducted National Survey amongst participants on the lifestyle benefits of walking football
• Gary wins Sportscotland/Sunday Mail Local Hero award for services to walking football.
2020:
• Leads WFS board through pandemic lockdown through regular video conferences, phone calls etc
• Liaised with SFA and Scottish Government and issued regular updates to member groups on all lockdown changes
• Throughout lockdown restrictions, regularly promoted health and social messages on areas such as Mental Health, Drink Aware, General Fitness, CPR, etc. through WFS media platforms
• Chaired regional video conferences with representatives of affiliated groups
2021:
• Chaired a Covid-delayed 2020 AGM online through a nationwide video conference
• Advised on "The Return to Play" following lockdown easing to affiliated groups
• Heavily involved in the planning and delivery of the first regional leagues at both over 50 and 65 age group
• Continued to engage with NHS Scotland to create links in their Social Prescribing/Rehabilitation programme into walking football.
• Delivered pilot Education Pathway course for eventual national roll out
• Retired as Chair on 26th November 2021
Following the AGM, Trustees presented a token of their thanks and appreciation to Gary and his wife Elizabeth in their support of the Charity.
Gary is seen here with incoming Chair, David Hyland who moves from his role of treasurer, with newly appointed trustee Gordon McAllister taking up the role of treasurer.
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