CHSS FUNDRAISING EVENT

Trustees Gordon McAllister, Martin Jack and Matt Ramsay combined walking and football together as they took part in the ‘Red Night & Blue’ Midnight Walk with 25 laps around the pitch of Ibrox Stadium raising money for charity partners CHSS.

The gents commenced the walk at 11pm and finished the 10k at 1.30am met by former Rangers player Marvin Andrews.

We have collectively already smashed our £3k target but if you would like to still donate, you can do so here - https://www.justgiving.com/page/walking-football-scotland-chss?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fwalking-football-scotland-chss&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

Club News

There has been further activity within our clubs this past week with again more clubs raising money for our charity partners CHSS as well as clubs taking part in events and competitions.

A tremendous well done to hosts Alloa Athletic for their fundraising event in aid of CHSS where their festival brought local clubs together with men and women taking part. The event was a huge success and clubs raised a combined £617! Amazing!

Their was competition football where North Lanarkshire Council came out on top as the new Over 70’s Glasgow Cup champions defeating last year’s winners Ayr Utd in the final in the annual event hosted by Glasgow Life.

Their was friendly match action in the South West of the country where Annan Athletic took on St Cuthbert Wanderers of Kircudbright at St. Mary’s Park for an enjoyable occasion of friendly competition.

And finally, the Cumnock Striders and Hibernian CT were delighted to receive their new WFS bibs this past week and it has been great to see the clubs grow in number of the last number of months! Well done folks!

ALLOA ATHLETIC FUNDRAISING EVENT

GLASGOW LIFE’S OVER 70’S GLASGOW CUP

GLASGOW LIFE’S OVER 70’S GLASGOW CUP - WINNERS NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL PICTURED WITH RAY MCKINNON

st cuthbert wanderers

annan athletic

cumnock striders

NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FALKIRK AREA

Walking Football Scotland are pleased to welcome the affiliation of The Galaxy Foundation whose walking football sessions begin on Friday 3 November 2023 from noon until 1pm at Little Kerse, Grangemouth. Sessions will be FREE for the first 10 weeks.

For more details, see our “Join In” page by clicking the link under Walking Football above.

Club News

Our clubs have been busy the last number of weeks with fundraising, taking part in competitions, organising friendlies and new sponsorship opportunities as they continue to look at ways of serving their communities.

Newly affiliated Queen of the South were delighted to receive their new WFS bibs and we are looking forward to watch with interest as they continue to grow in the next number of months.

Regional Rep Bobby Craigie was out visiting Kelso and although fewer in number currently the guys are hoping to see more players come along and get involved.

In the East and North of the country, it was good to see some friendly matches being organised between Forres and Moray Oldies as well as Scone WF playing Blairgowrie & Rattray, with camaraderie and fun at the heart of these events.

We also say a massive WELL DONE to Russell Lawson for completing a walking marathon in aid of Big Hearts Memories! He recently put his beloved walking football on hold to take on this challenge and support the charity. To learn of Russell's story click here - https://ow.ly/Zcuz50PSM91

It’s been good news at Dunbar as they recently announced their first sponsor with NISA in North Berwick becoming their new shirt sponsors alongside ASDA.

As ever, if you have a story to tell from your own club, please get in touch and let us know.

QUEEN OF THE SOUTH

regional rep bobby craigie with kelso wf

forres


moray oldies

SCONE

blairgowrie & rattray

regional rep of dunbar richard gdulewicz & joe ahmed (NISA)

O50's WEST PREMIERSHIP & CHAMPIONSHIP

It’s the final day of the season on Sunday for the WFS Over 50’s Premiership and Championship taking place at Toryglen Regional Football Centre, Glasgow.

Giffnock SC Auld Timers are in pole position sitting top with a game in hand, but with all difficult matches in store for all teams, could there be a final twist in the tale?

In the Championship, Whitletts Vics are in pole position and only need 1 win to be crowned champions, with Motherwell, Ayr and Pollok Thistle all chasing promotion.

It is going to be an exciting day to see who lifts our new Premiership and Championship trophy in the West of Scotland for the first time.

All the very best to all players and teams taking part!

***Please note - teams are asked to arrive at 12.45pm with games kicking off at 1.30pm***

Peoples Ford Parkinson's Walking Football Festival 2023

We were delighted to be invited and present at the inaugural Peoples Ford Parkinson's Walking Football Festival at Toryglen, on Saturday 21st October hosted by Glasgow Life.

8 teams from across the UK took part as we help support the opportunity to raise awareness of this condition and highlight the impact the game can have on the lives of those who play.

We at WFS were happy to support Regional Rep Drew Wilson on forming a group of players from affiliated clubs across the country, in the formation of a team to take part in this event and ended up doing terrifically well in reaching the semi final.

We congratulate Northern Lights from Liverpool, who became inaugural champions, defeating the Pennine Parkies in the final and it was great to see the Celtic FC Foundation team taking home the Challenge Plate after defeating the Movers & Shakers in the final.

We along with guests including former pros; Tom Boyd, Murdo MacLeod, Alan Rough and Izzy Christiansen as well as James Jopling (Scotland Director, Parkinson's UK) and members of the Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band were delighted to be present to witness this fantastic day and we look forward in seeing the game grow across the country for those with Parkinson’s.

Well done to Glasgow Life and sponsors Peoples Ford for making this such a success.

WFS EDUCATION WORKSHOP

This week we were delighted to support West College Scotland, based in Renfrew Leisure Centre as trustee Matt Ramsay delivered our Education Workshop to HNC/D students.

The students were keen to learn more about the game and we look forward in seeing how they progress with many keen to develop walking football sessions within their own local communities.

WFS ATTENDS CHS EVENT

WFS Trustee Vivian Wallace was delighted to attend Scottish Parliament, Holyrood last week to represent WFS to celebrate ‘No Life Half Lived’ with charity partners, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.

We heard from Jenni Minto, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, Jane-Claire Judson, Chief Executive of Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland, and John Todd, who received support from CHSS after having a heart attack.

Over one million people across Scotland are living with chest or heart conditions or have had a stroke. Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland is celebrating five years of championing ‘No Life Half Lived’, over a time when it has taken the new condition of Long Covid under its wing. The event will provided networking opportunities as well as promoting the impact partnership building has had, with not just ourselves, but how the charity will support the NHS to ensure more people across Scotland get the support they need to manage their conditions better.

VIVIAN WALLACE ATTENDS HOLYROOD

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

Today is World Mental Health Day which aims to raise awareness of mental health and drive positive change.

It is also an opportunity to talk about mental health, how we need to look after it, and how important it is to get help if you are struggling.

Walking Football Scotland's partner SAMH offers an online learning course that helps understand mental health issues and make us more prepared to support others:samh.org.uk/about-mental-health/being-there-for-someone/conversations-in-the-community-elearning?fbclid=IwAR03yHb724JP9G2_aWVFhGtoQ1buyc_LaK08MVGs7x8PP5SBgcptAX3qY7s

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE & 2024 LEAGUES

Walking Football Scotland are delighted to introduce our new Champions League Trophy, courtesy of Top Trophies (www.toptrophies.co.uk).

The Champions League will be played this year within our Over 50’s and Over 60’s categories, however next year will see every top division’s age category conclude their league season playing in a Champions League tournament.

With this in mind, we are also delighted to confirm that off the back of this week’s deadline for entries into our 2024 competitive leagues, we have had over 30% increase of teams wishing to participate next year, with 126 teams entered. More details will follow in due course, however we can confirm the following structures:

  • Over 50’s East & West Premiership & Championship

  • Over 60’s East & West Premiership & Championship

  • Over 65’s East & West Premiership

  • Over 70’s East & West Premiership

  • Over 40’s Women’s Premiership & Championship

  • Over 50’s Women’s Premiership

In the meantime we would like to thank Top Trophies as well as 1st Class Trophies & Awards for supporting us once again and we look forward to this year’s Champions League on the following dates:

Over 50’s - Sunday 26th November (Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility, 3-5pm)

Over 60’s - Wednesday 6th December (Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility, 12-2pm)

CHSS FUNDRAISING MONTH

We have had so many clubs raising money for charity partners Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland but today we want to highlight an incredible effort from two individuals.

Bobby Thornton and Steve Winstanley from Dunfermline Dynamos have raised £2k abseiling 165ft down the Forth Rail Bridge.

Bobby abseiling after hearing of a family friend’s daughter who suffered a cardiac arrest on the way to work and also witnessing one of his own players suffer a cardiac arrest on the pitch when a defibrillator saved both individuals lives, said:

Having seen people abseil down from the railway bridge before, I had always wanted to do it as it was a free fall drop. I had abseiled before down the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow and when I heard it on Radio Forth, I immediately applied as it was to raise money for CHSS.

5 years ago, a player suffered a heart attack in the middle of a game but sadly passed away but I also had in the forefront of my mind, the 2 individuals who had been saved with the use of a defib machine and the experiences of the families affected and that’s why I took part.

The experience itself was great fun, but it was over too quickly and I would gladly do it all again!”

Steve abseiled in memory of his mum who suffered a stroke in her early nineties which left her with communication difficulties and said:

“From seeing the after effects of a stroke with my mum, I was going to try and hopefully raise £1000 for CHSS with every penny I raise, going towards helping someone in Scotland do more than survive when they return home from hospital with either a chest, heart or stroke condition - helping them really live and get the support they need”

Well done guys, we and the rest of the Walking Football family are so proud of you and thank you for your continued support not just to us but to our charity partners, CHSS who this will greatly benefit.

If you would like to donate to support CHSS, you can do so here - https://www.justgiving.com/page/walking-football-scotland-chss?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fwalking-football-scotland-chss&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

bobby thornton & steven winstanley (dunfermline dynamos)

O65's PREMIERSHIP

𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗞 𝗨𝗧𝗗 - 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦!

It was a dramatic end to the WFS Over 65’s Premiership at Oriam National Performance Centre, Edinburgh today where Pollok Utd were crowned Champions of our national league.

Stenhousemuir started on top but slipped up with a draw against Linlithgow Rose which opened the door to Pollok who won all their 3 games and won the league impressively, being unbeaten all season.

It was Pollok’s name that was last on the trophy winning the Over 65’s League in 2021 and after a year break, they had their hands on the trophy again which was presented by former Hearts captain, Andy Webster who we are grateful to.

We would like to thank all players, clubs, referees and venue staff for a terrific final day of the season and due to the growth in this age category we will therefore see an East and West League next year.

Congratulations Pollok Utd!

POLLOK UTD & ANDY WEBSTER

CAPTAIN MAURICE COYNE & ANDY WEBSTER

CLUB NEWS

Various clubs have been busy either locally or abroad over the past couple of weeks with Alloa Athletic, Ayr Utd and Sauchie Jnrs. making their way over to Portugal to take part in the Algarve Walking Football Cup in Vilamoura.

Many teams have taken part in this annual event before and the guys all had a terrific time in the Portuguese sun with Alloa Athletic Whites picking up the 2023 Wooden Award.

Falkirk Foundation WF have been showing off their new strips and grateful to new sponsor Coversure, whilst there has been Club visits to Hawick and Gretna from Reps Bobby Craigie and Jim Paterson respectively.

If your club has any news to share with us, please contact us to let us know.

alloa athletic

ayr utd

sauchie

sauchie

falkirk foundation

hawick & regional rep bobby craigie

gretna

regional rep jim paterson & gretna

ARTHUR DUNCAN AWARD 2023

𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐔𝐑 𝐃𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃 2023

’𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑶𝒖𝒕𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝑾𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑭𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒏 𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒕𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅’

Arthur Duncan became involved in walking football in 2015 when the Healthy Hearts Club at Stirling Sports Village formed the basis of a new group. From his first taste of walking football, Arthur was a fervent supporter of the social playing sessions and how it contributed to the society and camaraderie of participants. Arthur was also a very talented man and, along with ex-Chair, Gary McLaughlin, he created the WFS logo, later assigning copyright over the logo to Walking Football Scotland.

In his role as a graphic artist and his various roles in the community, Arthur was always extremely busy designing leaflets, programmes, strip graphics and the like and in that role he made a massive contribution to Walking Football Scotland. Locally, promotional items were produced with regularity, but arguably his most noteworthy work will be the design of the WFS logo based around his beloved saltire. The logo will endure for many years as a physical reminder of his contribution to walking football in Scotland.

In 2022, in recognition of Arthur’s contribution, Walking Football Scotland launched the annual Arthur Duncan Memorial Award for outstanding contribution to walking football, locally and among the community. The inaugural winner was Mags Muir of Carnoustie Panmuir.

We are hereby inviting member club representatives and regional representatives to submit nominations for the Arthur Duncan Memorial Award 2023. We are seeking nominations of an individual who the representative believes fits this role. The proposal should be no more than 200 words long and should describe why the representative believes that their nominated individual should receive this award.

Nominations are open from today until noon on Tuesday 31 October 2023 and should be emailed to chairman@walkingfootballscotland.org

The successful nominee will be invited to the WFS AGM, or an event that suits them, to receive the award.

Board of Trustees
Walking Football Scotland

O65's PREMIERSHIP

It’s the final day of the season on Thursday for the National Over 65’s Premiership taking place at Oriam National Performance Centre, Edinburgh.

This age category was re-introduced this year off the back of popular demand after a 2 year absence where Pollok Utd and Alloa Athletic were regional champions.

Stenhousemuir and Pollok Utd are equal on points at the top of the table this year with Townhead Strollers and Alloa Athletic only 2 and 4 points behind respectively.

Could it come down to goal difference? It is going to be an exciting day in the capital to see who lifts our new league trophy for the Over 65’s for the first time.

All the very best to all players and teams taking part!

***Please note - teams are asked to arrive at 12.45pm with games kicking off at a slightly later time than usual of 1.30pm***