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Walking Football Scotland is pleased to announce the affiliation of Moray & Speyside Walking Football Club who play every Tuesday from 9.30am to 11am at Moray Sports Centre.
We wish them every success and hope that all their participants enjoy the physical, mental and social wellbeing benefits of playing walking football.
The O70’s East Premiership returned to Oriam National Performance Centre today for Round 2 of matches.
It’s all change at the top, with Stenhousemuir 1 point ahead although they have played a game more but only 2 points currently separate the top 3 clubs.
We thank all teams, players, regional reps and referees for their support today and we look forward in welcoming you back after the summer.
𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻'𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 - 𝗔𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗻
Off the back of a successful pilot of our Parkinson's UK Walking Football sessions in Aberdeen, this session will be moving home to Strikers Indoor Football with sessions commencing Tuesday 14th May (11.15-12.15pm).
We would like to say a massive thank you for the support of Sport Aberdeen and Aberdeen FC Community Trust for the commencement and delivery of this programme and as we now move to Strikers we hope numbers will continue to grow and many more people will find the many benefits of walking football.
As of next week, sessions will be delivered by Aberdeen FC CT coach and supported by volunteers from the Walking Football Strikers Aberdeen club who we are extremely indebted to for their support.
If you know someone with Parkinson's who lives in the Aberdeen area - get in touch and get along this coming Tuesday!
We had a great morning in Glasgow as WFS Parkinson’s Educator, Drew Wilson was delivering our workshop to staff members of KA Leisure from Ayrshire and a Parkinson’s player from Gorebridge.
A morning of information and learning before our candidates received the opportunity to witness firsthand and experience a session as they joined in with the Glasgow Life and Celtic FC Foundation busy session at Toryglen.
A big thanks to Drew, candidates and also Glasgow Life for their support today.
The O70’s East Premiership returns to Oriam National Performance Centre this Friday for Round 2 of matches.
Fife Wanderers topped the league after the first round of games having played a game less but it’s all still to play for as we reach the half way point of the season and it could all change on Friday.
We wish all teams all the very best!
The O70’s West Premiership returned to Toryglen Regional Football Centre today for Round 2 of matches.
It’s all change at the top, with North Lanarkshire Council now 4 points clear after starting the day in 2nd place. A win against 1st place Ayr Utd set them on their way to 4 wins and with Ayr then dropping more points, last year’s Champions have returned to the top.
We thank all teams, players, regional reps and referees for their support today and we look forward in welcoming you back after the summer.
The O70’s West Premiership returns to Toryglen Regional Football Centre this Wednesday for Round 2 of matches.
Ayr Utd topped the league after the first 4 games closely followed by last year’s winners, North Lanarkshire Council and both teams will face each other in game 1 on Wednesday in what could be a significant match as we approach the half way point in the season.
We wish all teams all the very best for Wednesday!
Our Ladies returned to action today at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility for the Women’s Over 40’s Premiership and Championship as well as Over 50’s Premiership.
It was a great day of walking football and is is double delight for Braehead as they top the league of both the O40’s & O50’s Premierships with 2 points and 5 points respectively. Three Valleys Women top the O40’s Championship but there’s only 3 points that separate the top 4 teams.
For results and updated league tables, please see below and we thank all players, clubs, referees and regional reps for their support today.
It is great to hear special news from our clubs and recognise the terrific work they do on a weekly basis.
This week is no different as one of our Regional Reps, Bill Sharp received a special recognition award for his work and development of the walking football group at Falkirk FC. Congratulations Bill!
Last week we were delighted to be present at the very first ‘Women in Football’ event held at Hampden Park with speakers including;
Fiona McIntyre, Managing Director, SWPL
Aileen Campbell, CEO, Scottish Women’s Football
Christine Curtis, General Manager, Stirling Albion FC
Julie Keough, Brand & Reputation Director, ScottishPower
Lawrie Anne Brown, Host, Sky Sports News
It was great to hear the many stories of these inspiring ladies with their journey in the game as we also continue to look at ways to promote and develop Women’s Walking Football too.
One way, is seeing our affiliated clubs meeting to play more and enjoy the many benefits not just physically but socially together and this has been prevalent from a recent meeting between local teams Whitletts Vics and Cumnock Striders.
And finally, it has been great to see other ways in which walking football has grown in communities and none other than Stranraer where their weekly session also focuses on supporting people with Arthritis. Well done all!
bill sharp
women in football
whitletts vics & cumnock striders
stranraer - versus arthritis
Our Ladies return to action this coming Sunday at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility for the Women’s Over 40’s Premiership and Championship as well as Over 50’s Premiership.
It’s going to be another exciting day of league action as within all 3 leagues we have a top of the table clash. In the O40’s Premiership, Linlithgow Rose - Whites take on Braehead - Reds, R FFIT take on Three Valleys Women in the O40’s Championship and then in the O50’s Premiership we have Braehead - Reds against Giffnock Women to look forward to.
For fixtures and reminder of the current league tables, please see below.
o40’s premiership
o40’s championship
o40’s championship
o50’s premiership
o50’s premiership
We are at the half way point of the season now for the Over 50’s West Scotland Premiership and Championship as they met today at Ravenscraig.
It’s all change at the top, as with the last kick off the ball Motherwell FC CT defeated Giffnock SC Auld Timers, 3-2 to go top on goal difference, with Saint Anthony’s dropping down to fourth after 4 draws.
In the Championship, it was 3 wins in 3 games for Carrick WFC again as the continue their impressive start to the season with maximum points, closely followed by Glenafton Athletic who also won all 3 games today.
We thank all teams, players, referees, regional reps and venue staff for their support today and look forward in welcoming you all back for the 2nd half of the season after the summer.
We’re keeping up with our monthly spotlight on Walking Football Scotland Players of the Month!
For April the Walking Football Scotland Women’s Player of the Month is Sam Wells! Sam plays with the Jeanfield Swifts.
Walking Football Scotland Men’s Player of the Month is James Ramsay! Jim, 66, plays with Tweedvale.
Congratulations Sam and James! They shared their reflections on what Walking Football means to them.
Sam: “I originally started walking football as I felt I really should be doing some exercise as I was getting older and I needed to get out and about.The gym and aerobics etc were not for me but football was always my love at school (a very long time ago!) so I popped along.”
Jim: “My wife and I retired to Peebles in 2018. To get involved with the local community we looked around at the various clubs and groups in the local area. I spotted a poster about the Walking Football taking place at the Peebles Drill Hall. So I went along in August 2008 and have been going since. It is a great activity for fitness and social well being.”
Jim: “It is honestly one of the best things I have done. I have made amazing friends, the social side is great fun. I now play competitively with the team and am travelling abroad for tournaments. It has made me fitter and feel younger!”
James: “It has helped ease me into retirement. It assists in keeping fit and has helped building new friendships in a new town. Having not played to any level of football during my working life taking part in our twice weekly sessions and Walking Football Scotland league and cup events has further assisted me in having a healthy retirement.”
What would you say to encourage others to come along?
Sam: “Walking Football is what you want it to be. It can just be keeping fit or forming friendships but it can be the opportunity to play competitively and travel. My team has given me so so much more than just playing walking football and I love it!”
Jim: “Give it a go even if you have not played before even in your younger years. You will find a welcome from like minded people and build new friendships that will lead to social bonds within your community.”
We recently launched our new Regional Teams across the country and already interest has been sparked for many of those competitive players and whilst there have been several ‘scouting missions’ for Regional Managers there have also been trial matches like the one pictured below for O50’s West Scotland team.
Some of our teams have also been flying the Scottish flag abroad as they took part in walking football tournaments across Europe, and for Oriam and Pollok Utd it was a trip to Portugal but sadly on this occasion there was no trophy coming home this year.
Midlothian ladies walking football group had fun in the sun with a week in Cyprus playing and training with Pafos United WFC, Aphrodite Wanderers, Akamas Ladies and Polis&Latchi Lionesses.
And finally, our regional representative for Perth & Kinross, Michael Cranston, recently spent some time in Vienna and joined a session with Austria Walking Football. Established in 2023, Michael chatted to Uwe Mauch, who led the development of this walking football group and shared his walking football story:
Uwe, what made you decide to establish walking football in Vienna?
“I saw Walking Football for the first time in my life on German TV. The way those old players were smiling after the game made me sure immediately: Uwe, this is your game!”
What level of interest have you had in walking football since you started?
“I am a journalist and football fanatic. But we have, since I established the first course in April 2023, completely other aims with Walking Football like people in the UK. National team? Makes no sense. Any kind of leagues? Much too serious. We want to have fun, not 1000 discussions about the rules and the refs. OK, we are playing this year some international friendly games, but afterwards we are sitting together to have some nice drinks and a lot of fun.”
In Scotland, a lot of the professional clubs or community trusts associated with the clubs have set up walking football sessions, has there been any interest from the professional teams in Austria?
“Football in Austria is different like in Scotland. It does not have the same tradition like in your country. I asked all professional teams in Vienna if they would like to cooperate. Answers till now: zero.”
I really enjoyed the session with your group and lots of similarities with the game in Scotland, including arguments over what is running! Two different rules really struck me though… no goalkeepers and allowing more than 3 touches! What was the thinking around setting up these rules and does it make you play in a certain way?
“Playing without goalkeeper is less dangerous especially for the older players. I realised this when I visited our german friends. I played with my friends in Croatia with goalkeepers, and I enjoyed. My opinion: Goalkeepers are great for the "younger generation" (till 60). If you become older you should be more careful and reasonable.
Three touch rule we learned from you, Michael. We tried it in our training session last Friday and I like it.”
How do you hope walking football will develop in Austria in the coming years? Do you look to Germany, or even the set up in Scotland for inspiration?
“Things are going very slowly in Austria. But I don't care. If something is growing too fast it could make problems. We are very interested in experiences elsewhere. We are in good contact with our neighbours in Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia. But may be one day we will visit you in Scotland. In our team will be for sure one who is able to keep our goal. Let us keep in contact!”
midlothian ladies
midlothian ladies
pollok utd
regional rep mike cranston in austria
o50’s west region trials with manager john campbell and assistant bobby mccrory
It’s all change at the top of the West O65’s Premiership as clubs met for Round 2 today at Toryglen Regional Football Centre.
Pollok Thistle drop down to third with North Lanarkshire Council top of the league, 5 points ahead of Townhead Strollers.
There is still a lot to play for as we reach the half way point in the season but North Lanarkshire lead the way in a strong position ahead of the rest.
We look forward in welcoming you back after the summer!
It’s Round 2 this coming Sunday for the Over 50’s in the West of the country as they meet at Ravenscraig.
Saint Anthony’s - Whites topped the table after Round 1 closely followed by Motherwell FC CT after an impressive start to life in the Premiership but both teams will play each other this coming Sunday.
In the Championship, it was 3 wins in 3 games for Carrick WFC as they took part in their first league action for the Over 50’s but they commence with match against Pollok Thistle who currently sit third in the league.
All the best to all teams this Sunday!
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