WALKING FOOTBALL GLASGOW TROPHY 2023

President Kenny McLean was at Hampden Park today carrying out the draw alongside former footballer Gordon Smith and Managing Director of SWPL, Fiona McIntyre, for the annual Glasgow Life, Walking Football Glasgow Trophy which will be played from 29th March - 2nd April 2023.

The draw led by Glasgow Life Football Participation Officer, Matt Ramsay, sees many affiliated Walking Football Scotland clubs whom will be taking part and we wish them and all players the very best in participating in this event in Glasgow.

For more information on the draw please click on the following link - Football Glasgow | Glasgow | Facebook

O40's LADIES PREMIERSHIP

Our Women’s competitive league season kicked off today in Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility, Wishaw with the 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟰𝟬'𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽.

After 3 wins each, Braehead - Navy and Linlithgow Rose CFC -Whites top the league however, a huge congratulations to all teams and players taking part today for what was a good afternoon of walking football.

Please see below league table and results from today’s matches.

𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟰𝟬'𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

Tomorrow kicks off the competitive Walking Football season for 2023 for the Women’s game at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility with our highest amount of teams taking part.

13 teams will battle it out to become 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟰𝟬'𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Champions and we are delighted to welcome newcomers Rossvale, Stenhousemuir 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 play with a smile on your face!

Dunfermline Dynamos Visit

Dυɳϝҽɾɱʅιɳҽ Dყɳαɱσʂ

Our Regional Reps, David Callaghan and Jenny Hammond were out visiting one of their clubs today with a visit to see the good work of Dunfermline Dynamos.

The visit gave everyone a chance to ask questions, provide feedback and hear about the latest news and rule changes from WFS.

It was great to see the groups set up and hear how much they have achieved over the last 2 years and long may it continue.

If you would like a club visit from one of your local WFS Regional Reps, get in touch.

O60's WEST PREMIERSHIP

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.

O60's WEST PREMIERSHIP LEAGUE

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

Updated Laws of the Game 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:

Simplified Laws of the Game

Laws of the Game

East Lothian Walking Footballer Awarded M.B.E

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.👏👏👏

Defibrillators & CPR - A Players' Story

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

Why Not Try Walking Football

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....😊⚽️⚽️😊

2022 Scottish National Cups & Festival

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

WFS National Cups & Festival

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

Women Only Walking Football Sessions

Below is a list of all women only sessions currently running in Scotland and a list is also available to download at:

Women Only WF Sessions

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 Walking Football

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

Starting up a New Walking Football Group

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.