AS the new craze for Walking Football sweeps Scotland, hundreds of over-50’s will be competing in this year’s festival in Glasgow.
The Scottish Walking Football Festival is taking place on Saturday 24th June at Glasgow Green Football Centre at 11.30am. There will be 32 teams competing from across Scotland, up from 24 teams at last year’s event.
The tournament will be attended by the Minister for Public Health & Sport, Aileen Campbell.
Also tying on their football boots again will be ex-players and BBC commentators, including Barry Ferguson, Derek Ferguson, Alex Rae, Joe Miller, Graeme Spiers and Kenny Macintyre. The ‘voice’ of Scottish football, Archie Macpherson will be presenting the medals to the winners.
The festival will be hosted by Glasgow Sport with support from Paths for All. The winners of the festival will represent Scotland at this year’s UK Walking Football Championships.
Walking Football is the slowed down version of the beautiful game. The sport has grown rapidly across Scotland by allowing people to reignite their passion for football, despite injury or illness, simply by slowing things down. There are now over 60 walking football sessions every week across Scotland.
The Walking Football initiative is supported by Paths for All, a Scottish charity who aim to create a happier, healthier Scotland through increasing physical activity opportunities for everyone no matter age or income, with funding from the Scottish Government.
Minister for Sport, Aileen Campbell, said: “It’s really important that everyone stays active, regardless of their age, and that’s why walking football is so fantastic. It’s a great way for people to continue to enjoy the sport into their 50s and beyond.
“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to support this year’s walking football festival and look forward to playing in my first match – good luck to all taking part!”
Ian Findlay, chief officer at Paths for All, said: “We are really looking forward to this year’s festival with 32 teams registered for the right to be crowned Scottish Walking Football Champions 2017.
“Walking football has seen a massive growth over the last few years with over 600 players taking part in games across Scotland on a weekly basis. The benefits of playing walking football include improving physical health, mental well-being and building new friendships.
“We are working towards setting up a national organisation, Walking Football Scotland, which will help develop the game nationally, support the league and increase participation by supporting new teams. The sport aims to welcome everyone, no matter age or ability. It’s about taking part and enjoying the beautiful game again.
I’m sure there will be loads of laughter and friendly banter throughout the day of the festival. I would encourage everyone to come along, support the teams, find to out more and have a go at playing walking football.”
To find a Walking Football club in your area visit pathsforall.org.uk/walkingfootball
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For further information please contact:
- Billy Singh, Walking Football development officer, Paths for All on billy.singh@pathsforall.org.uk or 07772 557 147
- Anna Mitchell, communications manager, Paths for All communications@pathsforall.org.uk or on 01259 218 888
Notes for editors:
- Walking Football is a slow-paced version of football developed for people over the age of 50. It is similar to the normal game of football, but with one small difference – there is no running or jogging. Walking football has been designed as a way of tackling both inactivity and social isolation amongst older adults, particularly men.
- There are already over 60 locations in Scotland already offering walking football, demonstrating a building grassroots enthusiasm for the sport. The Scottish Walking Football Network works to further grow the sport, create links between clubs and signpost people to their nearest team.
- The Scottish Walking Football Network brings together five national organisations to support and enable the development of the game across Scotland whilst measuring its impact. The partners are: Paths for All, Age Scotland, Scottish Association for Mental Health, Scottish Football Association and the Scottish Professional Football League Trust.
- Older adults can get a host of benefits from taking part in regular physical activity, such as walking football. These include reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers. Not only that, people benefit psychologically and socially with enhanced sense of wellbeing associated with enjoying getting active and forming new friendships.
Read more at: http://www.pathsforall.org.uk/walkingfootball
About Paths for All
- Paths for All is a Scottish Charity. Paths for All champions everyday walking in Scotland and we want to get more people walking – everyone, everywhere and every day.
- Paths for All aims to significantly increase the number of people who choose to walk in Scotland – whether that’s leisure walking or active-choice walking to work, school or shops. We want to create a happier, healthier Scotland, where increased physical activity improves quality of life and wellbeing for all.
- We work to create more opportunities and better environments not just for walking, but also for cycling and other activities, to help make Scotland a more active, more prosperous, greener country through Active Travel initiatives.
- Paths for All is supported by the Scottish Government to promote physical activity and walking for health in Scotland. Read more at: www.pathsforall.org.uk
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