Club News

Its been a busy past month with clubs taking part in various events and tournaments across the country and further afield, with teams taking part in the EFDN Walking Football Tournament in Madrid.

EFDN member clubs, Morton Motherwell and Rangers headed off again to take part in the latest EFDN event with all teams competing well and as ever enjoying the experience.

Closer to home, 14 teams took part in the inaugural Over 40’s Women’s Glasgow Cup event hosted by Glasgow Life with Braehead coming out winner defeating Linlithgow Rose in the final. There was also a win for Giffnock SC picking up the Challenge plate on the same day.

Our own patron Rose Reilly MBE was out visiting clubs this past week too, as she presented the winning trophy at a local Stewarton Walking Football tournament.

We were saddened to hear of the passing of walking footballer John Cunningham earlier this year, and last weekend witnessed the inaugural John Cunningham Memorial Festival held at Stark Park, the home of Raith Rovers. 8 teams of mixed clubs joined together to take part in the celebration of John’s life and we congratulate all who took part.

In local club news, it is great to see a new Ladies session commence by KA Leisure in Ayrshire and we look forward in interest in seeing that session develop.

WFS Regional Rep was delighted to hand over bibs to Dunfermline Dynamos - a club who has grown rapidly over the last number of years and we appreciate their continual support in all that we do.

O40’s women’s glasgow cup

braehead - winners of glasgow cup with shelley kerr

giffnock sc - challenge plate winners with shelley kerr

john cunningham memorial festival

ka leisure ladies

wfs regional rep david callaghan & dunfermline dynamos

rangers charity foundation & newcastle foundation

morton & getafe

motherwell fc

stewarton

O70's PREMIERSHIP

Our Over 70’s recommenced their league season today at Toryglen Regional Football Centre and after today’s matches nothing has changed at the top of the table.

North Lanarkshire Council defeated Fife Wanderers in the first match of the day, however then lost to Stenhousemuir giving Fife a chance to claw back the points which they then did, picking up maximum points from their other games. It therefore means there is still only 2 points separating the top at the penultimate round of fixtures.

We look forward in welcoming the club back for the final round on Wednesday 22nd November to see who will be crowned Over 70’s Premiership Champions!

O70's PREMIERSHIP

Our Over 70’s recommence their league season on Wednesday at Toryglen Regional Football Centre.

There will be no time for players to ease their way into matches as we kick off with a top of table clash between North Lanarkshire Council and Fife Wanderers that could be a decisive match in the season.

We look forward in welcoming the 9 clubs and wish them all the very best.

SAMH E-Learning Course

In 2018, Walking Football Scotland was one of the first sporting organisations to sign up to Scotland’s Mental Health Charter for Physical Activity and Sport which aims to improve equality and reduce discrimination for anyone with mental health issues.
Playing walking football isn’t just good for our physical health; it can also have a positive effect on our mental health and wellbeing.

We are aware that people experiencing a mental health problem can find it difficult to participate in physical activity and sport and research suggests that the less physical activity a person does, the more likely they are to experience low mood, depression, tension and worry.

Have you ever wanted to be there for someone who may be is struggling, but not known what to say?
......or do you worry about saying the wrong thing?

You're not alone. Conversations about mental health can be hard. But you don't need to be a mental health professional to support others in your community.

SAMH's free e-learning course will help you practice how to talk about mental health, and feel more prepared to help others.

It takes about 90 minutes, but you don't have to do it all at once.
You can leave or take a break at any time and it will save your progress.⬇️
https://www.samh.org.uk/about-mental-health/being-there-for-someone/conversations-in-the-community-elearning?fbclid=IwAR0amt0b2yPyYFpU8U3YJR2TFl8CZVwWS9xw7xErU9w7wVbhqvRY-cI71fA

O60's EAST PREMIERSHIP

The Over 60’s East Premiership recommenced at Oriam National Performance Centre, Edinburgh today and it has all got very tight at the top of the league.

Hearts 98’ are 1 point ahead of Oriam but both teams will face tough challenges in the final matches of the season. The final Champions League spot will be up for grabs with numerous teams battling it out for what will be an exciting end to the season.

We thank all teams and players for participating today and look forward in welcoming you back for the final fixtures on Thursday 2nd November.

O60's WEST PREMIERSHIP

The Over 60’s West Premierships recommenced at Toryglen Regional Football Centre today and after defeating closest challengers, Ayr Utd, Glasgow Life go 3 points clear at the top of the table.

Both clubs dropped points with North Lanarkshire Council holding ‘The Honest Men’ to a 0-0 draw, similarly there was a stalemate between Townhead Strollers and Glasgow Life, but that crucial 2-0 victory means the title is in Glasgow’s grasps with only 2 games remaining.

We thank all teams and players for participating today and look forward in welcoming you back for the final fixtures on Wednesday 15th November.

O60’S WEST PREMIERSHIP

o60’s west premiership results

O60's EAST & WEST PREMIERSHIP

This week recommences the Over 60’s East and West Premierships at Oriam National Peformance Centre on Thursday and Toryglen Regional Football Centre, on Wednesday respectively.

Its still very tight at the top of both leagues for the penultimate round of league fixtures, with only 3 points separating the top 5 in the East Premiership and Alloa Athletic currently leading the way, whereas Glasgow Life and Ayr Utd are joint top, 5 points clear from third place but all still to play for in the West with the top 2 to play each other this week.

All the best to all teams competing in our Over 60’s Leagues.

WFS Fundraising for CHSS

On behalf of Walking Football Scotland, trustees Gordon, Jacky and Matt will be combining walking and football together, as they raise money for CHSS.

The gents will be walking a 10k with 25 laps around the pitch of Ibrox for the 'Red, Night and Blue Midnight Walk' on Friday 27 October tying in with October being our fundraising month for CHSS.

After the financial support of CHSS sponsoring our WFS Scottish Cup, its now our turn to support them and we hope fellow walking footballers across the country will dig deep and support such a well worth cause in helping to ensure that 'No Life Is Half Lived!'.

We have created a justgiving page where you can support us raising those funds for CHSS and can donate by clicking on the link here: Walking Football Scotland is fundraising for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (justgiving.com)

Thank you in advance for your support!

Club News!

Its been a busy past week for Walking Football in Scotland with festivals, awards, fundraising and regional reps visits to their clubs.

Firstly, we congratulate Inverness CT Community Development Trust on their Scottish FA North Regio Grassroots award for ‘Best Community Football For All Project 2023’ for their walking football programme.

The Stenhousemuir Warriors recently held a Festival in memory of former player and friend, Bill Doig and raised £3k for Prostate Cancer UK. A huge congratulations and an event, Bill would have been proud of.

Morton FC also held a recent festival and were raising money with the sum of £1k handed over for Melanoma Action and Support Scotland. Well done every one of the 40 players who took part.

There was a first walking football festival for Glenafton FC as they also became winners coming up against teams including'; Annan Athletic, Drumchapel Utd, Maybole, Queen of the South and Stranraer.

The Glasgow Life West Region Friendly Trophy has continued to be passed around clubs with recipients including Ek Wanderers, Pollok Utd and now Park Villa. An event designed to encourage those who don’t normally take part in competition to play against other teams and enjoy the many social benefits bringing clubs together offers.

And finally, our Regional Reps as ever have been out visiting their clubs and it was great to see Reps David Callaghan and Jenny Hammond visit the good work at Fife Wanderers as the club continues to thrive.

Well done all clubs for all that you do in your local communities through the power of walking football.

stenhousemuir

inverness ct win scottish fa grassroots regional award

fife wanderers & regional rep jenny hammond

glenafton festival

glasgow life friendly trophy - pollok utd & park villa

morton fc festival

O40's LADIES PREMIERSHIP

A return to league action for our O40’s Women’s Premiership today at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility saw Linlithgow Rose CFC - Whites march on and extend their lead at the top of the table.

A big win over last year’s Champions Braehead, now leaves it all their in hands for November’s final round of fixtures.

Jeanfield Swifts - Black will be hoping for things to move in their favour if they can beat Linlithgow in their final game but we look forward to what will be a terrific final set of fixtures.

Well done to all players and teams today and we look forward in seeing you on the 12th November.

Referee Workshop

We were delighted today to deliver our first ever CPD Referee Workshop as we continue to develop our game here in Scotland with player safety at the heart of discussions.

We welcomed 15 referees to Toryglen Regional Football Centre for a morning of education, discussion and debate, focusing on our supplementary Laws of the Game, as well as concluding with a practical session where we thank those players who attended to assisit our workshop.

With the support of the Scottish Referee Association we look to deliver further workshops to referees across the country so please keep an eye on our website and Scottish FA Referee Extranet for more details.

We thank all referees for giving of their time today to learn more about walking football and their support to us at Walking Football Scotland.

O40's LADIES PREMIERSHIP

It’s a return to league action for our O40’s Women’s Premiership this coming Sunday at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility.

Linlithgow Rose CFC - Whites will be looking to build on their impressive unbeaten start to the league however will face tough opposition in the form of current league champions Braehead - Navy and also last year’s Scottish Cup Winners, Giffnock SC.

We wish all teams the very best and look forward in welcoming you to Wishaw this Sunday.

WALKING FOOTBALL SCOTLAND NATIONAL TEAM

Recently, there has been discussion on social media and in person about WFS forming a national team. The following is a statement on the matter from WFS President, Kenny McLean.

“Walking Football Scotland (WFS) is a registered charitable organisation whose mission is to improve, maintain and promote the physical, mental and social wellbeing of older adults through walking football. Our governance is by a Board of 9 Trustees who all act on a voluntary basis.  We have approximately 140 clubs/groups affiliated to us who benefit from our support by way of equipment, education, promotion of their sessions and the opportunity to participate in our Regional & National league & cup competitions and that number of clubs continues to grow exponentially.

We are affiliated to the Scottish Football Association by being recognised as a game leader of our discipline through Scottish Para-Football. We are not a governing body, but a supportive charitable organisation focussed on enhancing the lives of older adults through participation in walking football. 

Our organisation is held in high esteem and has received many plaudits from the SFA, European Football for Development Network (EFDN) and many British & European clubs. In 2018, we were awarded the Age Scotland Jess Barrow Award for Campaigning and Influencing and in the following year our past Chair, Gary McLaughlin, received the UEFA Silver Award for services to football.

There are a number of walking football associations and federations out with Scotland who do not have a connection to any of the official FA’s, like we do. WFS are not affiliated to, nor recognise these walking football associations & federations, but instead recognise the official  governing bodies across Europe, by working closely with EFDN and the Scottish FA.

Recently, it has been suggested that WFS is not interested in, or does not support the idea of, a Scottish national team. This is not the case, but those who are commenting may not have thought through the process of organising a national team.

WFS has, in the past, explored the formation of a national squad, but were advised that the organisation & co-ordination of same was not financially viable for a charitable organisation at that time. However, with the ever increasing interest in walking football, and in our charity, by UEFA & EFDN, there may be more funding, support and infrastructure available to allow us to pursue a regional set up, at least, thus leading to a national structure.

But the formation of a national team has to be fair to all participants throughout Scotland as a national team must be truly representative of the country, which is where the difficulties arise. Who selects a national squad and how do we achieve that? Who do we appoint to manage and train a national squad and whereabouts is that conducted? Then there are the financial implications; kit, travel, venues, insurance, medical support (Doctor, Physio, etc).

So, in conclusion, I hope you can be patient with regards to the formation of a national team. WFS will, in due course, look towards the formation of regional teams, which may be a slightly easier task and, depending on its success & viability, look towards a national set-up.

In the meantime, I believe we have to prioritise our resources and be able to support and deliver for the majority of participants across the country. WFS strive to put emphasis on improving fitness, physical and mental health benefits and reducing social isolation. I hope you continue to support us as we make walking football safe and open to all, appreciating its many positive connections and enjoy participating in the sport now and for many years to come.

Yours in walking football,

Kenny McLean, President, Walking Football Scotland”

CHSS Volunteer Support

Can you help our charity partners, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland with a great volunteering opportunity for you, or members at your club, with a simple role that can be done at home?

The role is called CHSS Community Connectors, aimed at people who have busy lives but would still like to contribute.

CHSS ask volunteers to complete small tasks such as sharing social media posts and completing surveys.

 To learn more about the role - click here and become a CHSS Community Connector - https://volunteer.chss.org.uk/opportunities/51700-chss-community-connector-2023-08-09

O50's EAST & WEST PREMIERSHIP & CHAMPIONSHIP

It was a return to league action for our Over 50’s today for the penultimate round of fixtures within the East and West Premiership and Championship.

No league champions have been finalised yet with it all still to play for in the final round in October.

In the East, Arbroath are in in top Premiership spot but Hearts have a game in hand and Oriam, occupying the final Champions League spot, play both teams respectively in what could be a tense final few matches.

In the East Championship, Dundee Utd have continued their impressive league display and remain unbeaten as they go into the final round of fixtures, however they will face 2nd, 3rd and 4th place teams where we could have a twist in the tale.

In the West Premiership, Giffnock SC Auld Timers were the big winners today with 3 wins putting them top of the league, 3 points ahead with a game in hand. An incredible tight league which could go either way for the top 3 Champions League spots, but certainly Giffnock are in the driving seat leading the pack.

In the West Championship, Whitletts Vics only need 1 more win to be crowned Champions and promoted to the Premiership, with a couple of teams chasing that final promotion place also.

We look forward in seeing you for the final round of fixtures with East on 1st October and West on 29th October.

east premiership table

east premiership results

east championship table

east championship results

west premiership table

west premiership results

west championship table

west championship results