The popular Walking Football project in partnership with Sport Aberdeen is celebrating three years since its inception.

The programme, which takes place at the city’s Beach Leisure Centre, has continued to attract a growing number of participants. Weekly footfall has increased from 14 players who attended the first session to around 40 & the session has attracted a fantastic 118 players to date.

Over the three years the sessions have attracted participants ranging from 35 – 72+, and together they have clocked up almost 5000 hours of participation.

The sessions, co-ordinated by volunteers Stephen Harvey and Dougie Henderson, aim to provide people with a lower impact alternative to a standard football game, but with all the skill, fitness, fun and teamwork you would expect.

Walking Football is a growing national sport amongst older participants, but these sessions operate an “open to all” policy welcoming regular male and female players across a variety of ages, including those who have experienced injury or who are keen to return to physical activity after long-term health condition or some time away.

David Smith, Senior Community Projects Officer at Aberdeen FC Community Trust said, “It’s been great to work with Sport Aberdeen to enable this group of men and women, most of whom started their journey to become more active with Football Fans in Training, to stay active and connected in the community.

“Huge thanks must go to Stephen and Dougie for this commitment and helping the group week in week out, a credit to the city and the community.”