Central Scotland MSP, Graham Simpson dusted off his football boots and joined in on a session of Walking Football at Broadwood Stadium.
Walking Football is played by people aged 50 and over and offers an accessible way to get involved in a team sport that requires no level of physical fitness or ability.
The programme has proved to be a great success in North Lanarkshire with the programme having nearly 100 participants playing on a weekly basis.
Age is only a number so Mr. Simpson is encouraging others to get their trainers on and try NL Leisures walking football with all the same rules, just no running!
Nicky Laughlin, Senior Sports Development Officer with North Lanarkshire Council said: "Our Walking Football Programme has been a huge success in North Lanarkshire and the local community.
"We are delighted to see so many people attend on a weekly basis and have recently started a new woman’s walking football session as we look to expand.
"Our walking football team also compete across Scotland in various tournament and leagues however most of all, both the physical and social aspect of the game is the greatest reward.”
Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland said: "It's been some years since I put on my football boots.
"I used to play five-a-sides every week until I got fed up with getting injured and taking too long to recover.
"I still have my old football tops, it's just that they are a little on the snug side now.
"My boots still fit though so I dug them out to see what all the excitement is about around walking football.
"It has really taken off across the country and North Lanarkshire is no different. Numbers have skyrocketed. There are even competitions.
"I rolled up at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld expecting to stroll about for a bit, kick a couple of balls and not work up a sweat. It didn't quite work out like that.
"The walking bit for these friendly kickabouts - and there a few of them every week in North Lanarkshire - is to be taken loosely.
"I did work up a sweat and left with a few aches that I had not bargained for. But it was great fun.
"We even had a crowd of youngsters watching from the stands who cheered my own piledriver goal, which was obviously the shot of the morning!
"This is aimed at the over 50s, which is great because it keeps guys who thought their footballing days were over, playing.
"It's not just guys either, there is a growing women's programme too.
"Can I thank everyone who I played with and against. You are a great bunch and thanks for not kicking me to bits."
Note:
More information about North Lanarkshire's Walking Football can be found here: https://www.walkingfootballscotland.org/joinin/category/North+Lanarkshi…
Dates, times and locations:
Monday - Townhead Community Centre 6pm - 7pm - Outdoor 2g Pitch to the near of the building (Women’s Only Walking Football Session)
Monday - Townhead Community Centre 7pm - 8pm - Outdoor 2g Pitch to the near of the building
Tuesday - Broadwood 12pm – 1pm – Outdoor 3G 11 a side pitch
Thursday - Airdrie Leisure Centre 12pm – 1pm – Outdoor 3G Airdrie Leisure Centre Pitch 1
Cost:
NLL MEMBERS
£7.99 per month for one session per week.
£14.99 per month for multiple sessions per week.
NON MEMBERS
£9.99 per month for one session per week.
£17.99 per month for multiple sessions per week.
Get in touch:
For more information and to get your name down, email [email protected] or call 07739654651
