From FFIT to Fitba – Aberdeen FC in the Community

From FFIT to Fitba – Aberdeen FC in the Community

A Walking Football project in Aberdeen, which has welcomed over 80 new participants and clocked up an impressive 1,265 hours of activity, has recently celebrated one year in action.

The sessions, led by AFC Community Trust volunteers and hosted at Sport Aberdeen’s Beach Leisure Centre, are an all-inclusive alternative to football, allowing people of all ages and abilities to actively take part in the much-loved game.

The team, headed up by volunteers Stephen Harvey and Dougie Henderson played an impressive 51 weeks out of 52 and have upped session time from one hour to two hours to allow more players to attend.

In addition to the popular Wednesday evening Walking Football Sessions, a new Friday evening Ladies Walking Football session has been set up. This will run from 1900 – 2030 at the Beach Leisure Centre and sessions are open to beginners and more experienced players of all ages.

David Smith, Senior Community Projects Officer at AFC Community Trust, said, “This a great example of partnership working. AFCCT is delighted to work with Sport Aberdeen to help adults of all abilities become, and stay active.

“To see this group growing over the last year and delivered by local volunteers is superb. Many of the group joined AFCCT’s Football Fans In Training programme, and to see them now staying active and connected through sport is brilliant. Huge thanks to all the volunteers for helping make this such a success”.

Stephen Harvey said, “We are now averaging over 40 participants a week and it is my hope that number will continue to increase as Walking Football becomes ever more popular with Granite City residents.”

A Walking Football regular today said if you like football you’ll love walking football!

Sport Aberdeen Director of Sport and Active Lifestyles, Jo Bell said, “It is fantastic to see the ongoing success of the Walking Football project and to hear that so many local people are taking up the sport.

“This is another great example of partnership working, bringing innovative schemes to Aberdeen which allow and encourage more people to get active.

“Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities and inspiring people to take part in sport and physical activity, no matter their age, gender or ability.”

Regular Walking Football participant, Hazel Reid said, “I never thought I’d still be able to play football at 61, thank you to Dougie and Stephen and all the others who keep the Wednesday footie going. It’s so enjoyable and what a fantastic, encouraging bunch of folks you all are. Here’s to another year of the same.”

For more information please contact: Andrinne Craig, Development Officer, Active Lifestyles, Sport Aberdeen on 01224 047926 or acraig@sportaberdeen.co.uk