FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Martin (Jacky) Jack, Trustee, Walking Football Scotland
M: 0785 234 9643, E: Jacky@walkingfottballscotland.org
Healthy Goals 2026
Supporting people over 40 years of age = supporting the NHS
Sunday 4 October 2026
Auldhouse Playing Fields, 180Thornliebank Road, Glasgow, G46 7RQ
Along with our health partners, CHSS, SAMH, Scottish Prostate Cancer Initiative, Parkinson’s UK, Age Scotland, Walking Scotland and Movement for Health, Walking Football Scotland is launching the inaugural Healthy Goals event to support older people’s health and wellbeing and showcase the major contribution Walking Football has to relieve future pressures on the NHS.
About the event
For Women and Men over 40 years of age
The overall aim of our event is to focus on Health & Wellbeing, using Walking Football participation on the day as the fun aspect to raise funds for charity.
What is the event?
- We aim to have 5 continuous Walking Football matches taking place from 9am to 9pm with players playing for an hour or so each across the day.
- The matches are non–competitive with each match refereed by official SFA referees.
- Players, men and women, must be over 40 years of age.
- Individuals, groups of friends or families, business teams etc. can all be accommodated with smaller groups allocated into matches depending on age, ability and perceived fitness levels.
The main objectives of the event are.
- to enable our health partners to discuss their services throughout the day and help identify specific resources that could contribute to improving the health and wellbeing of themselves or others they care for. In particular we would encourage pre-booking of both
- To offer Health Checks by both Scottish Prostate Cancer Initiative and CHSS for both participants and others in the wider local community
- to reduce the long-term burden on the NHS by enabling people to improve their own health and wellbeing.
- to raise awareness of the health benefits of walking football, i.e. attract new people to come along, participate for an hour or so and hopefully be encouraged to attend walking football sessions at times and locations that suit them best.
- to raise funds for our nominated charities on the day through fees to participate and donations in the lead up to and during the day.
Signing up for the event –
Non-Competitive Walking Football
Details
- Join in a game – whether as an individual, family or friends group or Walking Football team.
- You will be allocated a game depending on fitness levels and any previous football experience.
- We’re looking to encourage as many as possible to play even for the very first time.
- Cost is £10 per person, with all monies raised from the football matches going to charity.
- All matches will be refereed by SFA qualified refs
- Please note Health Checks by both Scottish Prostate Cancer Initiative and CHSS also require to be pre-booked and undertaken BEFORE any participation in the Walking Football aspect.
Our Player stories
My brother Ian McTrusty, aged 59, has had a number of life challenges and joined the walking football at Ayr United approx. 18 months ago. It has changed Ian’s life for the better and my father and I are grateful to everyone for their help and support and making Ian feel so welcome. Colin McTrusty, Ayr United
My name is Campbell Frame I started walking football in 2013 I had just went through a brain tumour 8 and a half hour operation but I came through it. I was reading the local paper and it had an advertisement in it on behalf of Ayr United about walking football. By that time I had blood pressure problems and I was putting a lot of weight on, so I thought I would give it a go After a few years the organisers at Ayr asked me if we could start one in Girvan. They had tried before but as I stayed in Girvan they would give it another try. I managed to get a few grants to get started, we even got a guy of 83 with one leg, yes one leg, coming. I now know you can almost go anywhere in the world there will be walking football to just enjoy. Campbell Frame, Girvan
I had a small heart condition two years ago and getting back to my walking football was a huge achievement for me, getting back out keeping fit and getting fresh air was just what l needed. I love my walking football on a Sunday morning – the banter from the other girls before we kick a ball, the football is always fun, then the cup of tea afterwards. We are all there for each other, and l genuinely feel we are like one big happy family If any of the girls are having difficulties in their life, no matter how big or small, we are all there for them. Joan Monger, Giffnock SC Women
In March 1990 I ruptured my ACL in a Sunday League Cup Final. I had played amateur on a Saturday and Sunday League football previously and boys club before that. It was repaired 2 years later but obviously football was ended for me, I was gutted. Then 8 years ago I was introduced to Walkig Football, no running, turning, tackling, ideal I said to myself and so after 28 years of no football, I was able to play again. It took me about 12 months to get my muscles built up again and a couple of years to have full confidence back. Now I am going full hog again, and thanks to walking football, I am fully active playing football again at 66 yrs old. Colin Dodds, Ayr United
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Martin (Jacky) Jack, Trustee, Walking Football Scotland
M: 0785 234 9643, E: Jacky@walkingfottballscotland.org
Healthy Goals 2026
Supporting people over 40 years of age = supporting the NHS
Sunday 4 October 2026
Auldhouse Playing Fields, 180Thornliebank Road, Glasgow, G46 7RQ
Along with our health partners, CHSS, SAMH, Scottish Prostate Cancer Initiative, Parkinson’s UK, Age Scotland, Walking Scotland and Movement for Health, Walking Football Scotland is launching the inaugural Healthy Goals event to support older people’s health and wellbeing and showcase the major contribution Walking Football has to relieve future pressures on the NHS.
About the event
For Women and Men over 40 years of age
The overall aim of our event is to focus on Health & Wellbeing, using Walking Football participation on the day as the fun aspect to raise funds for charity.
What is the event?
- We aim to have 5 continuous Walking Football matches taking place from 9am to 9pm with players playing for an hour or so each across the day.
- The matches are non–competitive with each match refereed by official SFA referees.
- Players, men and women, must be over 40 years of age.
- Individuals, groups of friends or families, business teams etc. can all be accommodated with smaller groups allocated into matches depending on age, ability and perceived fitness levels.
The main objectives of the event are.
- to enable our health partners to discuss their services throughout the day and help identify specific resources that could contribute to improving the health and wellbeing of themselves or others they care for. In particular we would encourage pre-booking of both
- To offer Health Checks by both Scottish Prostate Cancer Initiative and CHSS for both participants and others in the wider local community
- to reduce the long-term burden on the NHS by enabling people to improve their own health and wellbeing.
- to raise awareness of the health benefits of walking football, i.e. attract new people to come along, participate for an hour or so and hopefully be encouraged to attend walking football sessions at times and locations that suit them best.
- to raise funds for our nominated charities on the day through fees to participate and donations in the lead up to and during the day.
Signing up for the event –
Non-Competitive Walking Football
Details
- Join in a game – whether as an individual, family or friends group or Walking Football team.
- You will be allocated a game depending on fitness levels and any previous football experience.
- We’re looking to encourage as many as possible to play even for the very first time.
- Cost is £10 per person, with all monies raised from the football matches going to charity.
- All matches will be refereed by SFA qualified refs
- Please note Health Checks by both Scottish Prostate Cancer Initiative and CHSS also require to be pre-booked and undertaken BEFORE any participation in the Walking Football aspect.
Our Player stories
My brother Ian McTrusty, aged 59, has had a number of life challenges and joined the walking football at Ayr United approx. 18 months ago. It has changed Ian’s life for the better and my father and I are grateful to everyone for their help and support and making Ian feel so welcome. Colin McTrusty, Ayr United
My name is Campbell Frame I started walking football in 2013 I had just went through a brain tumour 8 and a half hour operation but I came through it. I was reading the local paper and it had an advertisement in it on behalf of Ayr United about walking football. By that time I had blood pressure problems and I was putting a lot of weight on, so I thought I would give it a go After a few years the organisers at Ayr asked me if we could start one in Girvan. They had tried before but as I stayed in Girvan they would give it another try. I managed to get a few grants to get started, we even got a guy of 83 with one leg, yes one leg, coming. I now know you can almost go anywhere in the world there will be walking football to just enjoy. Campbell Frame, Girvan
I had a small heart condition two years ago and getting back to my walking football was a huge achievement for me, getting back out keeping fit and getting fresh air was just what l needed. I love my walking football on a Sunday morning – the banter from the other girls before we kick a ball, the football is always fun, then the cup of tea afterwards. We are all there for each other, and l genuinely feel we are like one big happy family If any of the girls are having difficulties in their life, no matter how big or small, we are all there for them. Joan Monger, Giffnock SC Women
In March 1990 I ruptured my ACL in a Sunday League Cup Final. I had played amateur on a Saturday and Sunday League football previously and boys club before that. It was repaired 2 years later but obviously football was ended for me, I was gutted. Then 8 years ago I was introduced to Walkig Football, no running, turning, tackling, ideal I said to myself and so after 28 years of no football, I was able to play again. It took me about 12 months to get my muscles built up again and a couple of years to have full confidence back. Now I am going full hog again, and thanks to walking football, I am fully active playing football again at 66 yrs old. Colin Dodds, Ayr United
Played rugby and 5s for 30 years, until arthritis in my knee forced me to stop missed the banter from the guys, so looked for a replacement and, luckily, a WF session in Linlithgow had just moved to evening , and at 49 was a good fit for meI was suddenly able to play again, have the competitive spirit back and enjoy being with the guysI took over the session, created the Club and never looked back. I have had 2 Total Knee Replacements, and can now play pain free . I love playing WF and its like being a teenager again kicking a ball. David Callaghan, Linlithgow Rose
