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!”
