World's largest walking football tournament held in Glasgow

Yahoo

4 days ago

The Walking Football Scottish Cup and Festival took place at Glasgow Green Football Centre (Image: Supplied)
Scottish football stars have attended the world's largest one-day walking football tournament.
More than 900 players from 92 teams took part in the Walking Football Scottish Cup and Festival on Saturday, June 7, held at Glasgow Green Football Centre.
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The event, organized by Walking Football Scotland and sponsored by Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS), brought together participants from across the country to compete in multiple categories.
It attracted high-profile visitors, including former Scotland manager Craig Levein and ex-players Peter Grant, David Hopkin, and Dougie Imrie.
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MSP Maree Todd, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, was also in attendance.
Gary Brewer, director of people and culture at CHSS, said: "It was amazing to see so many people come together and, once again, celebrate the Walking Football Scottish Cup and mark the world's largest one-day walking football event."
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The tournament is part of a two-year partnership between CHSS and Walking Football Scotland aimed at improving health outcomes for people over 50.
Figures from Public Health Scotland have revealed that nearly 11,000 people in Scotland had a stroke last year.
This remains one of Scotland's main causes of long-term disability.
In addition, coronary heart disease remains Scotland's biggest killer, with 300,000 people in the country living with the condition.
Activities, such as walking football, are designed to help people improve their physical activity and maintain a healthy heart.
Walking football provides a gentler alternative to traditional football, helping participants stay active while reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
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Gary said: 'Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is committed to supporting the one in five people across the country with our conditions.
"One of the best ways we can do this is by improving health outcomes for people across Scotland and playing walking football is a great way of contributing to reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
"Walking Football Scotland can reach a vast number of players, and we have been able to offer support to clubs, players and their families.
"It's great to see the popularity of the sport continuing to rise and we hope our partnership with Walking Football Scotland continues to grow from strength to strength as well."
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Kenny McLean, president of Walking Football Scotland, said: "Walking Football Scotland continues to lead the way, not just in participation but in impact.
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"Breaking records and building communities — that's what this game is all about, and I couldn't be prouder of what we're achieving together.
"This is our showcase event – a celebration of everything walking football represents.
"But the real heart of the game lies in the hundreds who play week in, week out across Scotland.
"A huge thank you to everyone who makes this movement so special."
Winners on the day included Braehead FC in both the over-40s and over-50s women's categories, Saint Anthony's in the over-50s, and Pollok Utd in the over-60s and over-65s.
Alloa Athletic took home the over-70s title, Glasgow Life won in the Parkinson's category, while the Universal Wanderers took home the Peter Collins Fair Play award.