ICT won the Fair Play Award at the Walking Football Scotland annual Scottish Cup and Festival held on Saturday at Glasgow Green. Here is 75-year-old Kenny Mackenzie holding the award.
Goalkeeper,Kenny was one of 10 regulars of ICT’s weekly Walking Football sessions who took part in the festival element of the event, which attracted more than 300 footballers from throughout Scotland.
Walking Football Scotland were impressed with the fun clearly enjoyed by our team – the oldest at the event – featuring 5 players over the age of 70. Kenny and his team-mates were presented with the award at the prize-giving at the end of the day’s event. The team were supervised by Community Development Manager Craig Masterton and his assistant, Scott Ross.
Improving mental and physical health is one of the main aims of Walking Football Scotland, whose event was supported by the Scottish Government and the Scottish Football Association.
Kenny Mackenzie is a great example of the benefits of the “slower version of the beautiful game”, which is growing in popularity for older footballers.
He underwent a triple by-pass operation in 2008 and Walking Football has proved a rewarding part of his rehabilitation.
Kenny said: “I have been attending the Walking Football sessions for the past three years and greatly look forward to our Thursday sessions at Hilton Community Centre. It is really well organised by the Community Development Team, who provide strips and referee games, ensuring the rules are adhered to ie no running and that the game is played in the proper spirit. It’s a good fun way to exercise and socialise.
“I have made many new friends and we are having an end of season night out, when we can relive the good times at Hilton Community Centre and at Glasgow Green. It was a real bonus on Saturday to be presented with the Fair Play Award.”
Kenny is also Chairman of Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland’s Inverness Bravehearts, who meet weekly to encourage exercise for those recovering from a heart condition.
Walking Football Scotland
https://www.walkingfootballscotland.org/
Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland
https://www.chss.org.uk/group/inverness-bravehearts/