Dunbar Walking Football supports and encourages members of the local community over the age of 50 to become more active, healthier and socially engaged through walking football.
Following almost a year out of action during the Covid lockdown the sessions are now back up and "walking" with over fifty participants aged from 40 to early 80s now regularly involved every Monday and Friday from 1.00 to 2.00pm. The group have recently launched a promotional campaign across the local community and is hoping to grow these numbers in future and welcome new players, both men and women, of all abilities and fitness levels. Amongst those currently involved are individuals recovering from serious illness/heart disease and major surgery including a few living with Parkinsons, Downs Syndrome and other longer term ailments and it is hoped to attract more through the East Lothian's Ageing Well programme plus support from East Lothian's Football Development Officer.
The initial idea for the group was conceived back in 2017 by two Dunbar locals who started playing walking football in Edinburgh and on recognising the benefits this activity could offer older people in their own local community, raised the possibility of creating a session in Dunbar with a local facility provider (Hallhill Sports Complex) who embraced the initiative and have been very supportive over the years. Recently the group has created strong links with the Dunbar youth and senior football teams to create a "Football for Life" pathway in line with the Scottish Football Association strategic plan and following discussions with local authorities, a grant to purchase a defibrillator was secured and is now available at all sessions.
National studies across the UK continually highlight the incredible physical, mental and social benefits of walking football and a recent post lockdown survey amongst the current Dunbar walking footballers produced the following exceptional results: ⚽️ 74% have lost weight ⚽️ 78% now play twice a week ⚽️ 87% improved their balance and flexibility ⚽️ 95% improved their general fitness levels ⚽️ 100% reported improved mental wellbeing, increased friendships and greater social activity
Currently the sessions attract participants from towns all round Dunbar, including North Berwick, Innerwick, East Linton, Haddington, Cockburnspath and Dirleton and even folks on holiday in the local hotels and holiday parks, find their way down to Hallhill. We welcome both men and women of all abilities to join us and we offer both recreational and competitive opportunities to play walking football with recreational sessions every Monday and Friday.
For those wishing to be a little more competitive, Dunbar plays in the Walking Football Scotland Regional East League at a central venue in Edinburgh plus regular friendly games in both Scotland and England.
What is walking football?
Walking football is one of Scotand's fastest growing activities and is a low impact, modified version of the game suitable for older men and women of all levels of ability and fitness. Most of the rules are similiar to mainstream football with the following exceptions: ⚽️ 3 touches only ⚽️ Ball kept below crossbar height ⚽️ No heading the ball ⚽️ No slide tackling ⚽️ No physical contact ⚽️ No Running both on and OFF the ball
Age is no barrier with current players aged from 50 to 82 playing regularly, so why not give it a go. We meet at Hallhill Sports Centre every Monday and Friday from 1.00 to 2.00pm and new participants are most welcome. For more information call 0771 971 4932 or just turn up at Hallhill - it could change your whole lifestyle!!