The Gala Fairydean Rovers Walking Football Squad are offering additional evening football sessions in a bid to increase the numbers of Over 50’s involved with the game in the local area.

Supported by funding from the Scottish FA the sessions will take place each Tuesday evening (Starting 28 September) in the 5-a-side cage at the 3G facility at Netherdale between 7 and 8pm. The squad already hold sessions at Netherdale on Monday and Thursday afternoons.

Thanks to investment from the Scottish FA, the Scottish Government and FIFA, along with support from sportscotland and UEFA, the funding made available will support hundreds of grassroots clubs across Scotland and help thousands of players return to the pitch following the pandemic.

The Gala Fairydean Rovers Walking Football Team is part of the newly established Community Trust at Netherdale which encompasses Amateur, Walking, Para, Women’s and Girls football as well as the hundreds of youths and junior players involved with the GFR Academy.

The Walking Team recently celebrated their sixth successive season involved with GFR after they started life as part of a Scottish Border Council Community Capacity Building initiative. Walking Football is a slowed down version of the beautiful game designed to keep the Over 50’s playing football and remaining healthy and active. It is one of the fastest growing sports in the country.

Recent studies have suggested that Walking Football brings obvious health benefits but in addition helps end social isolation and brings friendships and camaraderie to a particularly vulnerable group, the over 50’s. The Gala team caters for all abilities from those who just want a kick-about with a group of friends up to those who like the competitive side of the sport. As well as providing up to three sessions each week, the team has competed in tournaments across the country and even in Europe.

Walking Football 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 dozens of locations in Scotland already offering walking football, demonstrating a building grassroots enthusiasm for the sport. The Scottish FA is working to further grow the sport, create links between clubs and signpost people to their nearest team. The host of benefits from taking part in regular physical activity, such as walking football 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.

Speaking about the recovery funds supporting the Walking Team’s initiative, Scottish FA Chief Football Officer Andy Gould said: “After facing many challenges throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, now is a vital time to support the grassroots game as Government restrictions ease and allow an increase in football activity. We are grateful for the support from Scottish Government, FIFA, UEFA and sportscotland who have bolstered the funds made available by the Scottish FA to ensure more than £1.5M is available for clubs and people at the heart of our national game.

"I recognise the many challenges facing the grassroots game, and the Football for All funding will be a huge boost to our concerted efforts to get people playing the national sport again. The funding presents a wonderful opportunity to kick-start the game, and it is crucial that we continue to work with key stakeholders to further ensure that grassroots football can flourish once more.”

Walking footballer and Chair of the GFR Community Trust Ross Buchan said; “We’re delighted to be one of over 500 clubs across Scotland receiving Scottish FA Football For All funding which the Community Trust is using to bolster our Walking, Para, Women’s and Girls and Academy sections as we deal with the consequences of the global pandemic. The additional evening sessions of Walking Football will hopefully encourage new players who cannot make our existing day-time sessions during the week to come along and try the game. We welcome everyone who wishes to be involved regardless of ability.”