Ayr United Football Academy will use its award from the SFP’s Community Initiative to maintain and develop the walking football programme for over 50s across 5 areas within South Ayrshire. The project will be delivered over 24 weeks and both men and women will enjoy two hours of free activity at each venue. 2 Academy staff will supervise the events and the club are hoping to attract over 100 participants to their programme which will culminate in regional festivals, with the final being hosted by the Academy at the end of the session. Shaun Ferrie, the Academy’s Football Development Officer commented that “The project will allow the club to give the community a programme that is unique for over-50s where they will be able to play organised football and enjoy the benefits of healthy exercise. Our current walking football programme has a gentleman of 77 years of age who has been advised by his GP to exercise regularly to help with his blood pressure. He became bored with the programme provided by his health centre and as an Ayr United fan he heard about our walking football programme and has been coming ever since and has even requested a second night of football!.”
