Regional Reps - Club Visits

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It has been a very busy few weeks for us at Walking Football Scotland with the delivery of Regional Education Workshops in the Central, South East, South West and West regions but our Regional Reps and trustees have also been out visiting clubs and handing over our new WFS bibs.

There have been visits to Arbroath, Bonnyrigg Rose, Drumchapel Utd, Gorebridge, Midlothian, Port Seton, Saint Anthony’s and Spartans.

We appreciate the opportunity to get to know our affiliated clubs across the country and look forward in seeing more of you within the next number of weeks.

wfs trustee vivian wallace & gorebridge

regional rep john young with bobby mccrory (saint Anthony’s)

regional reps dave milne & mike burnett @ arbroath

wfs trustee vivian wallace & bonnyrigg rose

regioanl rep john young with colin craig (Drumchapel utd)

mixed sessions in midlothian

regional rep richard gdulewicz & port seton

regional rep david barr with howard key & garry betts (spartans)

spartans

EDUCATION WORKSHOP - SOUTH WEST REGION

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Today, Walking Football Scotland took the Education Workshop to The Circuit, Irvine, where 18 members of affiliated clubs attended. This included Ayr Utd, Bonnyton Thistle, Carrick, Cumnock Striders, Girvan, KA Leisure, Largs, Townhead Strollers & Whitletts Victoria.The workshop was delivered by WFS President, Kenny McLean, and Trustee, Matt Ramsay, which prompted much discussion and banter. Thereafter, the practical session on the indoor pitch proved worthwhile for many of the participants.

Walking Football Scotland are indebted to the staff at The Circuit for the use of their excellent facilities and the provision of refreshments. We would also extend our gratitude to our Regional Representatives, Jim Paterson & Derek King for their assistance throughout the day.

Education Workshop - West Region

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This evening we were out at the Toryglen Regional Football Centre for our Education Workshop in the West Region.

Trustee Matt Ramsay delivered our newly updated free education course to the 20 candidates who attended from the following clubs:

Albion Rovers, Clyde FC, Drumchapel Utd, EK Gerihatricks, Giffnock SC, Glasgow Life, Glenbuck & Douglas Valley, Morton FC, Park Villa, Pollok Utd, Saint Anthony’s, St. Mirren and Three Valleys.

We are grateful to the support of fellow trustee Gordon McAllister and Regional Reps, Drew Wilson and John Young for all their support this evening.

Our next course is this coming Thursday 27th July for the South West Region and will be held at The Circuit, Irvine (11.30-3pm)

If you wish to attend please contact matt@walkingfootballscotland.org

Education Workshop - Central Region

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This evening we were out at the Falkirk Stadium for our Education Workshop in the Central Region.

Trustee Matt Ramsay delivered our newly updated free education course to the 18 candidates who attended from the following clubs:

Alloa Athletic, Braehead FC, Falkirk Foundation, Motherwell FC CT, North Lanarkshire Council, Rangers, Sauchie Juniors, Stenhousemuir, Stirling Albion and Syngenta.

We are grateful to the support of fellow trustee Gordon McAllister and Regional Reps; Bobby McDonald, Claire McCosh and Kendell Cummings for all their support this evening.

Our next course is this coming Monday 24th July for the West Region and will be held at Toryglen Regional Football Centre (5.30-9pm).

If you wish to attend please contact matt@walkingfootballscotland.org

Education Workshop - South East Region

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We kicked off our Education Workshops today as we visited Oriam National Performance Centre, Edinburgh in the South East Region.

Trustee Matt Ramsay delivered our newly updated free education course to the 28 candidates who attended from the following clubs:

Cockburnspath, Dalkeith, Dunbar WFC, Edinburgh City, Gorebridge, Hearts, Linlithgow Rose CFC, Midlothian Ladies, Oriam, Port Seton, QMU Musselburgh, Spartans, Tranent Colt and Tweedvale.

We are grateful to the support of fellow trustee Vivian Wallace and Regional Reps; Bobby Craigie, David Barr, David Callaghan and Richard Gdulewicz for all their support today.

Our next course is this coming Friday 21st July for the Central Region and will be held at the Falkirk Stadium (5.30-9pm).

If you wish to attend please contact matt@walkingfootballscotland.org

The George Muir Memorial WF Festival & Regional Rep Club Visits

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We are always delighted to hear what our clubs have been getting up to and it was great to share in the George Muir Memorial Walking Football Festival which took place last weekend at PKS Arena (Arbroath High School).

The aim of the Festival was to allow the 64 players from different clubs to play in teams made up of players from the different clubs. There was no trophy up for grabs, just a participation medal and the delighted Mags Muir's cakes.

Players taking part came from; Arbroath, Carnoustie, Dundee Utd CT, Raith Rovers, Scone, Forfar/Kirriemuir, Dundee and Hearts.

The event organised by Dave Milne (East Regional Rep and Arbroath WF), said: “George was 83 & had been involved in local amateur/youth football for many years - being involved in running the adult Sunday League for many years & being founder of Rancel youth football team.

On his passing at 83, it was my idea to change the name of the Arbroath Walking Football Festival to the George Muir Memorial Walking Football Festival in memory of George's contribution to football in the town.

I also thought it would be a great touch if we presented bucket hats to the team deemed to have played their matches in the Festival in the spirit of non-contact Walking Football.

The reason for the bucket hats presentation was that whenever you met George, he was wearing his bucket hat & he always attended our indoor/outdoor sessions and at times, our night outs wearing his bucket hat.”

Our Regional Reps have also been out visiting their clubs and it was great to witness the developments of clubs from Corstorphine Dyanmo and St Cuthbert Wanderers from Kirkcudbright.

george muir memorial wf festival

corstorphine dynamos

st cuthbert wanderers

LEAGUE TROPHIES 2023

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We are delighted to introduce you to the new Premiership and Championship League trophies.

Competitions organiser and trustee, Matt Ramsay, said: “With the restructure of the leagues this season, we felt it was important in establishing a new competitive era for WFS.

Our history is important to us and we have included all past league winners from all age categories and we hope, that over time these new trophies will become iconic and synonymous with the game here in Scotland.

We now look forward to the second half of the season and to see what clubs will get their hands on the new trophies.”

We are grateful to the support of 1st Class Trophies & Awards on providing these new trophies.

Regional Reps - Club Visits

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Our Regional Reps have been out visiting their clubs with more gifts of WFS bibs for their weekly sessions.

This week we have seen appreciations at Annan Athletic, Bonnyton Thistle Kilmarnock, Motherwell FC CT, Oriam and Park Villa.

It has been also great to see the developments of each club and it was good to hear of the visit of our partners, St John Scotland’s visit to the Walking Football Strikers, Aberdeen with players going through defib training.

Remember if you have a story to tell, please get in touch with us.

wfs regional rep jim paterson & annan athletic

wfs regional rep jim paterson & gordon hyslop (annan athletic)

wfs regional rep derek king & bonnyton thistle kilmarnock

motherwell fc ct

wfs regional rep bobby mcdonald & chris mcfarlane (motherwell fc ct)

oriam

wfs regional rep john young & park villa

park villa

aberdeen strikers

aberdeen strikers

aberdeen strikers

Regional Reps - Club Visits

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Our Regional Reps have been out visiting their clubs with more gifts of WFS bibs for their weekly sessions.

This week we have seen appreciations at Albion Rovers, Edinburgh City, Linlithgow Rose CFC, Tweedvale and newly formed team Stranraer FC.

It has been great to see the developments of each club and hear the impact that walking football is having on those whom attend their sessions. Long may it continue!

albion rovers

albion rovers

regional rep jenny hammond & linlithgow rose cfc

edinburgh city

regional rep jim paterson & stranraer

tweedvale

Mitre Delta Max Football Offer

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Walking Football Scotland are delighted to announce a significant deal with one of our preferred suppliers whereby we have acquired a large quantity of Mitre Delta Max footballs and now wish to pass on this offer to our affiliated clubs.

These balls are the same that were used at our recent Scottish Cup and Festival at Glasgow Green Football Centre on Saturday 24th June 2023.

These are FIFA quality & approved pro match size 5 balls as used in the SPFL and as used at our recent Scottish Cup & Festival. They are available in white & blue or yellow & pink. They previously retailed at up to £120 per ball, but WFS are able to offer our affiliated clubs the chance to buy them at £30 per ball providing they purchase a minimum of 3 balls and up to a maximum of 6 balls. Delivery cost will be covered by Walking Football Scotland.

To place an order, please email info@walkingfootballscotland.org with the subject heading ‘Mitre Footballs’.

WFS Education Workshop Dates 2023

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We are delighted to share the regional WFS Education Workshop dates over the summer that will be initially available with 2 places for each team.

Once clubs have all responded, other spaces may be available on a first come first serve basis.

Our Education Workshop is a free course that will look at developing participants knowledge on walking football, benefits, opportunities to support training and our supplementary laws of the game.

Each regions dates are as follows:

North Region - Tuesday 1st August @ Aberdeen Sports Village (11.30-3pm)

Central Region - Friday 21st July @ Falkirk Stadium (5.30-9pm)

East Region - Tuesday 25th July @ RPC Dundee (11.30-3pm)

South East Region - Wednesday 19th July @ Oriam National Performance Centre (11.30-3pm)

South West Region - Thursday 27th July @ The Circuit, Irvine (12.30-4pm)

West Region - Monday 24th July @ Toryglen Regional Football Centre (5.30-9pm)

Bookings can be made direct with Matt Ramsay at matt@walkingfootballscotland.org


WFS SCOTTISH CUP & FESTIVAL 2023

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On Saturday 24th June, 76 football teams came together to take part in the biggest one-day walking football festival in the world – the WFS Scottish Cup and Festival 2023.

The event, organised sponsored by leading Scottish health charity Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland took place at Glasgow Green Football Centre, with just under 800 players from across Scotland competing in the tournament across various categories.

Earlier this month, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and Walking Football Scotland announced a partnership that will see the two charities working together to improve health outcomes for over fifties across Scotland.

In partnership with Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, we hope to grow the game even more over the next year and ensure thousands of Scots can enjoy the health benefits of this beautiful game.

More than 9,000 people have a stroke in Scotland every year. Incidences of heart attack are even higher, with 11,000 people in Scotland having a heart attack in 2022. 97 per cent of these occurred in people aged 45 or over.

Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, Jenni Minto MSP welcomed participants to the event alongside representatives of WFS and CHSS.

WALKING FOOTBALL WINNERS

The winning teams across each category were as follows:

Over 40s Women's - Braehead FC (defeating Linlithgow Rose CFC)

Over 50s - Pollok Utd (defeating Saint Anthony’s)

Over 60s - Ayr Utd (defeating Glasgow Life)

Over 65s - North Lanarkshire Council

Over 70s - North Lanarkshire Council

Peter Collins Fair Play Award – Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland

Winners were presented with their trophies and medals by Scottish Women's Football chair Vivienne McLaren and Walking Football patron, Rose Reilly MBE.

Paul Okroj, Director of External Engagement at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland said: “It is fantastic to see so many people turn out to take part in this year’s Walking Football Scottish Cup to make it the biggest event of its kind.

“At Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland we want to improve health outcomes for people across the country who are at risk of stroke and heart disease. Working in partnership with Walking Football Scotland we can further promote the benefits of exercise at all ages, as well as offering simple but essential health checks via Walking Football clubs across the country.

“Events such as today are a wonderful opportunity to raise the awareness of the physical, social and mental health benefits of keeping active and moving more in a way that works for each individual.”

Walking Football Scotland President Kenny McLean said: “We’re delighted to have grown the Scottish Cup into the biggest single-day walking football event in the world. The atmosphere on Saturday was fantastic, with teams from all across Scotland, enjoying a great day. There were winners who took home the trophies but the joy of the day is taking part, and all our teams went home winners in our eyes.

“For some older people Walking Football is their only chance to get out of the house and socialise, it’s massive for their mental health as well as their physical. In partnership with Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, we hope to grow the game even more over the next year and ensure thousands of Scots can enjoy the health benefits of this beautiful game.”

Walking Football Scotland would like to thank the following for their support: AlphaMed Scotland, AudioCP, Glasgow Life, RJM Sports, Sporting Memories Scotland, St John Scotland, Derek Anderson and Photographs - andyjmatherphotography

peter collins fair play awards winners - chss

o40’s women’s champions - braehead fc

o50’s champions - pollok utd

o60’s champions - ayr utd

o65’s champions - north lanarkshire council

o70’s champions - north lanarkshire council