WFS SCOTTISH CUP & FESTIVAL 2024 - UPDATE!

We have to announce that for our WFS Scottish Cup & Festival 2024, we are now FULL and unable to take any further entries.

The event sponsored again by charity partners, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland will see 12 additional teams being added to last year’s record breaking numbers for a total of 90 teams taking part this year.

We say a massive thank you to all clubs whom have entered and more details on the day itself will be out soon as well as payment deadlines and then date for the live draw conducted at Hamden Park.

Please note - Any team who wishes to be added to waiting list for any particular age category can do so by contacting competition@walkingfootballscotland.org

WFS O60's East Premiership & Championship

Our Over 60’s Walking Footballers in the East of the country kick off their competitive league action on Thursday 28th March at Oriam National Performance Centre with a new Premiership and Championship structure for 2024 including promotion and relegation.

2 year champions, Hearts 98’ will be looking for further success however no doubt this will once again be a very competitive season.

14 teams will take part with 7 teams in the Premiership and 7 teams in the Championship and this year we are delighted to welcome additional clubs from Stenhousmuir and Oriam.

We wish teams all the very best for the upcoming season and look forward in seeing you on Thursday.

Club News

Walking Football hit the ITV Borders News as they visited Annan Athletic as they hosted a 6 team Spring 2024 Tournament on Wednesday 20th March with the hosts, Saint Kirkcudbright and Stranraer taking part, the latter coming out on top.

Our new CHSS bibs have been getting about around the country too with Dundee East, John Sutton Community Club, Morton FC, Motherwell FC CT and Whitletts Vics Ladies all gratefully benefiting from our charity partners.

If you have a story to tell, get in touch with us to share your walking football news.

annan athletic festival

john sutton cc

morton fc

motherwell fc ct

dundee east

whitletts vics

Partnership Announcement - Hampden Sports Clinic

Walking Football Scotland are delighted to officially announce our long awaited partnership with Hampden Sports Clinic.

This partnership will give the opportunity of all players from our 150 affiliated members across Scotland, given access to the clinic’s facilities and professional assistance where necessary from their specialist team.

WFS Trustee Matt Ramsay and newly appointed patron Gordon Smith were on hand alongside the highly respected, Chief Executive Dr John McLean from Hampden Sports Clinic to announce the partnership.

Dr John McLean said: “Hampden Sports Clinic are delighted to be official partners of the Walking Football Scotland. Our team of physio’s, podiatrists and sports masseurs will be here whenever we are needed to help with any niggles and to get the players fit so they can keep playing their version of the game we all know and love so much.”

This has been echoed by WFS President Kenny McLean saying:

"It is with great pleasure that we are able to announce this unique opportunity for all of our affiliated clubs to benefit from the services of the leading sports injury and rehabilitation centre in the country. As older adults, we want to enjoy playing the slower version of the beautiful game as much as we can, but as a result we feel the niggles more & more, so having discounted access to Hampden Sports Clinic is a massive benefit and one that I know I shall be making good use of."

We look forward in working with the clinic to ensure players will be able to play longer and continue to enjoy the game we all love.

Photos - photosbyphild.com

Patron Announcement - Gordon Smith

We are delighted to announce that former footballer, Gordon Smith has become patron of Walking Football Scotland.

Gordon, a huge supporter of Walking Football, joins Rose Reilly in helping to promote the game and will be a true ambassador of Walking Football here in Scotland and beyond.

Gordon has a wealth of football experience having played professionally, coached and worked as a football agent before stints as chief executive of the Scottish FA and director of football of Rangers Football Club.

Talking on becoming Patron, Gordon said: “I’m delighted to become patron of Walking Football Scotland. It’s been a great initiative bringing key facets back into people’s lives that are lost when you stop playing standard football due to your age and fitness.

Walking football gives us again, camaraderie with teammates, competitiveness and the enjoyment of taking part in a football match. Walking football can be enjoyed for many years by a great number of people as age is no longer a barrier to participation.”

WFS President Kenny McLean welcomes Gordon sharing: “I am delighted that we have secured the services of Gordon Smith as Walking Football Scotland’s patron.

Gordon has been a formidable figure throughout his illustrious career and it is wonderful that we have another football legend to support and promote the wellbeing aspects of participation in walking football.”

WFS O70's West Premiership

Our Over 70’s West of Scotland Premiership kicked off today at Toryglen Regional Football Centre and after round one, Ayr Utd top the league.

With growth in amount of teams participating in this age category this year, we were able to split regionally and it was great to welcome the 9 teams to Glasgow.

‘The Honest Men’ had an impressive start with 4 straight victories and find themselves 4 points clear of last year’s league winners, North Lanarkshire Council.

We thank all players and clubs for participating today and we look forward in welcoming you back on 8th May.

Photos - photosbyphild.com

ayr utd

drumchapel utd

ekym

giffnock sc auld timers

morton fc

motherwell fc ct

north lanarkshire council

pollok utd

townhead strollers

WFS O70’s East Premiership

Our Over 70’s East of Scotland Premiership kicked off today at Oriam National Performance Centre and after round one, Fife Wanderers top the league.

With growth in amount of teams participating in this age category this year, we were able to split regionally and it was great to welcome the 6 teams to Edinburgh.

There were a few ‘firsts’ today with final games having to be abandoned after an unplanned fire alarm but positively today we wecolmed our first female referee, Karin McKenny to competitive action and congratulate her making history for walking football in Scotland.

Karin attended our Referee Workshop at the start of the year, off the back of passing her Scottish FA referee qualification, and we were delighted to welcome her as one of our referees today for the first time.

We thank all players and clubs for their cooperation today with unforeseen events and look forward in welcoming you back on 10th May.

Appointment - WFS Parkinson's Educator - Drew Wilson

Walking Football Scotland are delighted to share that we have appointed Drew Wilson into the voluntary role of WFS Parkinson’s Educator.

Drew has a wealth of experience working with people with Parkinson’s both on and off the pitch and we are delighted that he has accepted this role that will see him train others to support the delivery of our new Parkinson’s WF sessions across the country in partnership with Parkinson’s UK.

We recently sat down with Drew to learn a little bit more about the programme and his experiences.

What was it that encouraged you to get involved with working with people with Parkinson’s?

“My Mother had Parkinson’s and I always felt there was more we could have done as a family to help her. After I retired I started playing Walking Football in Glasgow and saw first-hand the difference we could make to player’s lives as they recovered from strokes, cancer, and heart conditions. I saw how players improved their mental health through teamwork and the social interaction that ‘being back in the changing room’ provided and I wondered if we could apply this to players living with Parkinson’s.

I approached Glasgow Life with an idea and received the support to approach Parkinson’s (UK) Scotland. We formed a joint pilot programme to determine if Walking Football was suitable for players with Parkinson’s and through that 10 week pilot, it very much proved the case. The results were remarkable! Since then our game and weekly sessions have expanded significantly with the help of the Celtic FC Foundation.

Around the same time, Professor Bas Blom a leading researcher in the Parkinson’s world, published a paper suggesting that amongst other benefits, 150 minutes of exercise a week may slow the advancement of Parkinson’s Disease.”

You have been delivering these sessions with Glasgow Life and The Celtic Foundation over the last number of years - what have you learned along the way?

“Trust!

In developing this programme, it is important to have a team around you which is well informed and aware of Parkinson’s Disease. In Glasgow we have the same group of Coaches and volunteer helpers that worked on the pilot in 2021.

We have access to specialist NHS Physio’s who advise as we need it and this has enabled the team to earn the trust of the players.

There are over 40 main symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease and through our new WFS Parkinson’s Workshop every new coach will work through a training pathway consisting of a Parkinson’s Active online course introducing the condition and how to work with players with Parkinson’s. Then a WFS Practical workshop based upon our delivery experiences and then Parkinson’s (UK) will provide access to Physio support to any new start up.

This package will enable Coaches to gain trust through being informed and providing a simple safe and fun environment for the players.”

Why should people with Parkinson’s get involved with our Walking Football programme?

“Players with Parkinson’s should know that every coach they encounter will have completed the WFS Parkinson’s Education Workshop. The course will equip the coach to understand the condition within the context of Walking Football and the session will be designed to address; Communication, Spatial Awareness, Fitness Conditioning, Balance and Cognitive Decline. All in a safe and fun environment for the player.

We now know that exercise is a contributing factor in managing symptoms and if this truly is the case then ‘WE CAN BEAT IT!’ by giving scientists time to deliver .”

What is your vision for Parkinson’s Walking Football in Scotland?

“Via this Walking Football Scotland and Parkinson’s (UK) Scotland partnership my objective is to get our game into every corner of the country.

In addition to the Glasgow, we currently have a session underway in Aberdeen, and we will soon see the next sessions in Dundee in Fife. Once these projects are underway we will explore partnerships with clubs in other areas who are keen to make a difference in the lives of people living with Parkinson’s. It is an exciting time!

Photos - photosbyphild.com

drew wilson, rose reilly mbe, amanda mckay (parkinson’s uk)

drew wilson, parkinson’s uk brian carson & amanda mckay, matt ramsay

Parkinson's Specialist Physio - Lois Rosenthal

Off the back of our recent partnership with Parkinson’s UK we are delighted that Parkinson’s Specialist Physio, Lois Rosenthal will also play a huge part in the support of our new programme delivery.

Lois is no stranger to walking football and has been involved with the Glasgow Life programme for the last number of years, signposting clients and fully understands the many benefits walking football brings and impact it can have on someone’s life.

Speaking on that impact, Lois said: “Walking football for Parkinson’s ticks so many boxes that physios are aiming for when we think about exercise for our clients with this condition. We know from research that exercise has huge benefits for both physical and mental health. Not only that, there is also emerging evidence to suggest that exercise may slow down progression of Parkinson’s.

Walking football is a perfect combination of fun, challenging, and high intensity exercise, with a focus on dual tasking and big powerful movements - all things us physios like to promote in managing this condition. Exercise is much easier to commit to if it’s fun and inclusive, and that’s where it’s sometimes tricky for us to refer on to classes or the gym, especially when people are new to these, or feel self-conscious. However, almost everyone has kicked a ball about in their youth, and that, coupled with being with other people with the same condition makes this less daunting to have a go at. The banter and team working that has developed over time is an added bonus!”

Talking on our new partnership: “With my involvement in this project, I’m hoping to help inspire other clubs to get involved in providing walking football opportunities for people with Parkinson’s as it’s such a rewarding community to be part of.

I’m hopeful that we can spread awareness of the huge benefits of walking football for Parkinson’s, thereby helping people achieve that fun, high intensity exercise that’s so beneficial in managing their condition long term.”

We at WFS are delighted Lois will be involved and look forward in working with her to grow the game for people with Parkinson’s here in Scotland.

lois rosenthal

WFS Parkinson's Workshop

We were delighted to be in Fife on Wednesday as our WFS Parkinson’s Educator, Drew Wilson delivered training to representatives from Dundee Utd CT, Pars Foundation and Raith Rovers.

The workshop delivered alongside partners, Parkinson’s UK’s Amanda Mckay and NHS Parkinson’s Specialist Physio, Lois Rosenthal gives insight on how to deliver walking football to people living with this condition, providing knowledge and best practice for sessions.

With sessions now being delivered in Aberdeen we look forward to supporting the next programmes in Fife and Dundee as we continue to grow the game for the Parkinson’s community.

Club News

Jeanfield Swifts Women’s Walking Football team were victorious this week flying the flag in Europe as they won the first ever Eurocopa Walking Football Tournament 2024 in Portugal!

Scotland's only representatives in the competition topped the league undefeated after 8 games on day 1. They went on to stay undefeated after the final 2 league games on day 2 and won 3-2 on penalties against a strong English outfit from Cheshunt in the final after a 1-0 victory in the semi final. Congratulations Ladies!

Stenhousemuir Walking Football Club hosted Dunbar Walking Football Club at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir, for a friendly tournament comprised of teams with a mix of over 60’s and over 65’s. Games were played in the true spirit of the game and everyone enjoyed a spectacular post-match buffet provided by Stenhousemuir.

Dunbar’s Richard Gdulewicz presented a Dunbar WFC pennant to Stenhousemuir as a memento of the day.

Midlothian Ladies were also taking part in a special gathering to mark International Women’s Day organised by Haddington as they continue to work hard in promoting women’s and girl’s taking part in football. The event consisted of 5 mixed teams with refreshments and cakes aplenty after the final whistle.

Our new bibs have been doing the rounds again too and we wish Largs WFC and newly affiliated club ROAR all the very best and much wear out of them.

#FootballForAll

jeanfield swifts

largs wfc

roar

Parkinson’s UK signs deal with Walking Football Scotland!

Parkinson’s UK signs deal with Walking Football Scotland

Parkinson’s UK and Walking Football Scotland are teaming up to grow the offer of Parkinson’s walking football sessions in Scotland.

Last week, with all the trappings of a club securing a new superstar, the partners signed an agreement at the national stadium, Hampden Park. 

Women’s football legend Rose Reilly MBE was on hand to celebrate the deal along with representatives of Parkinson’s UK and Walking Football Scotland.

The agreement sets out how the two organisations will collaborate and share resources with a view to increasing access to walking football opportunities for people with Parkinson’s.

“We’ve seen interest in walking football really take off among people living with Parkinson’s in Scotland,” said Amanda McKay, Physical Activity Delivery Manager for Parkinson’s UK in Scotland.

“We’re now committing, through this new agreement, to support each other to make it possible for even more people with the condition to try walking football.

“Walking football is a fantastic way to keep active and can help people with Parkinson’s improve their balance, strength and coordination, and boost their physical and mental wellbeing.”

Last year saw the Celtic FC Foundation, Glasgow Life and Parkinson’s UK launch a programme of regular sessions in Glasgow.

Parkinson’s UK and Walking Football Scotland now hope to facilitate similar offerings in other areas, providing physical activity opportunities to the growing number of people living with Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, with almost 13,000 people living with the condition in Scotland. Parkinson’s UK estimates that, within five years, that number will have increased to around 15,000.

Kenny McLean, President of Walking Football Scotland, commented: “The slower version of the beautiful game has been around since 2012 and is now enjoyed by around 3,500 men and women throughout Scotland. We know of the physical, mental and social benefits it brings to those participants, so this partnership we are announcing will offer those benefits to people living with Parkinson’s.

“We will provide Parkinson’s UK with specially trained walking football coaches who will deliver sessions around Scotland offering physical activity in a safe environment.”

Former international player, Rose Reilly MBE, and patron of Walking Football Scotland, added: “This is a great delight to see Walking Football Scotland in partnership with Parkinson’s UK, enabling more men and women to get involved in physical activity.

“There should never have been any barriers in participating in the things you love to do and I for one fully support these steps to get people back playing football and reaping the many health and social benefits that walking football brings.”

Brian Carson, who is the Scotland Trustee for Parkinson’s UK and himself plays walking football, welcomed the formal partnership between the charity and Walking Football Scotland.

“Walking football is an important part of my own physical activity regime and helps in managing my condition. Taking part in the sessions provides physical benefits as well as having a positive impact on the mental health of participants through the social aspect of the sessions, and it is fun.

“This agreement between Parkinson ‘s UK and Walking Football Scotland is a great opportunity to make this activity and the benefits they provide available to more people with Parkinson’s across Scotland.”

Photos - PhotosbyPhilD.com

WALKING FOOTBALL SCOTLAND SCIO BOARD OF TRUSTEES

At our recent Annual Members Meeting (AMM), I informed those present about the current and future structure of the Walking Football Scotland SCIO Board of Trustees.

As with the board of any charity, changes occur and the terms of their constitution deem certain criteria for their trustees term in office.

Until the end of 2023, there were 9 Trustees on the board of Walking Football Scotland, all of whom performed their role on a voluntary basis; Kenny McLean (President), David Hyland (Past President), Gordon McAllister (Treasurer), Vivian Wallace, Colin McKay, Kevin Lee, Matt Ramsay, Brian Sloan and Martin Jack. However, on 8 January 2024, Brian Sloan stood down from the board and on 7 February 2024, Colin McKay also resigned.

In accordance with the terms of our constitution, Trustees Vivian Wallace and Matt Ramsay, having served two 3-year terms on the board, had to step down at our AMM, while Trustee Kevin Lee had previously intimated his intention to step down at the AMM.

To lose such experience and talent on our board is understandably detrimental to the continuing work we do. However, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic had a hindering effect on the participation and progress towards the charity’s aims as a board and we lost much needed time. As a consequence, we used Clause 8.4 of our constitution and have now co-opted Trustee Matt Ramsay back onto the board for another year. Trustee Vivian Wallace declined this opportunity but will continue to act as our Regional Representative in Midlothian.

I have spoken personally to those Trustees standing down and conveyed my sincere thanks to each of them for the outstanding work they performed during their term on the WFS Board.

The WFS board is now Kenny McLean, David Hyland, Gordon McAllister, Martin Jack and Matt Ramsay, but we continue to seek candidates to join our Board who can bring suitable skills and experience considered beneficial to the charity.  

Kenny McLean, President

WFS O70's West Premiership

Our Over 70’s Walking Footballers in the West of the country kick off their competitive league action on Wednesday 20th March at Toryglen Regional Football Centre with fixtures available below.

We have 9 teams taking part and its great to welcome new clubs including; EKYM, Morton FC, Motherwell FC CT and Townhead Strollers

We wish teams all the very best for the upcoming season and look forward in seeing you next Wednesday.

WFS O70's East Premiership

Our Over 70’s Walking Footballers in the East of the country kick off their competitive league action on Friday 15th March at Oriam National Performance Centre in a new Regional League.

This is the first time we have had enough teams to split this age category and we look forward in welcoming the 6 teams to Edinburgh with fixtures available below.

We wish teams all the very best for the upcoming season and look forward in seeing you on Friday.