First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has highlighted the contribution that Walking Football makes to delivering positive health to older men and women in her Programme for Government.
The Scottish Government will launch a new Active Scotland Delivery Plan with a wide range of actions across all sectors, including showcasing the contributions of football clubs to delivering positive outcomes, including the Football Fans In Training programme and Walking Football.
Walking Football has seen a surge in popularity in recent years with teams and projects developing in settings from football clubs, local authorities, community groups, sports clubs and in healthcare settings.
The sport is aimed at keeping people aged over 50 involved with football if, due to a lack of mobility or for other reason, they are not able to play the traditional game.
Though based on association football, the key difference in the rules, from standard football, is that if a player runs then they concede a free kick to the other side. This restriction, together with a ban on slide tackles, is aimed both at avoiding injuries and facilitating the playing of the sport by those who are physically disadvantaged.
Walking Football also has the potential to improve people’s lives. Benefits include increased physical activity, improved mental health and wellbeing, access to additional sources of support and the opportunity to form new friendships for those living in isolation.
Hundreds of men and women take part in sessions throughout the country from Gretna to Fort William and regular tournaments are held both locally and nationally.
The first National League started in April at Ravenscraig Sports Centre and features ten teams including two from Edinburgh, Hearts 56 and Hearts 98 named after Scottish Cup winning years.
In June the Scottish Walking Football Festival, the equivalent of the sports Scottish Cup was held at Glasgow Green with a record 32 teams taking part.
Midlothian emerged as eventual winners after beating Gretna in the final in front of Health and Sports Minister Aileen Campbell.
Organisers are keen to point out that playing competitively in tournaments is only a small part of the sport and the majority of participants play purely for enjoyment,
Sessions currently taking place in the Edinburgh area include:
Edinburgh City at Meadowbank every Thursday 12.30 to 2.00pm
Hearts at World of Football every Tuesday from 12.00 to 1.00pm
Heriot Watt at Riccarton Campus every Wednesday from 12.30 to 1.30pm
Heriot Watt at Riccarton Campus every Friday from 2.30 to 3.30pm
Hibs at the club’s Training Centre at East Mains every Tuesday from 3.30 to 5.00pm
Midlothian at Bayne Memorial Hall, Loanhead, every Wednesday – 14.00 to 16.00
Midlothian at Ladywood Leisure Centre, Penicuik every Friday – 10.00 to 12.00
Contact numbers for all the Edinburgh and Lothian sessions can be found here and anyone interested should make contact in advance to confirm sessions are on.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
