Oriam Walking Football Club, one of Scotland's largest walking football clubs, has celebrated a decade of success at Heriot-Watt University's indoor sports centre, where it has improved the health and wellbeing of hundreds of people. The club, which welcomes men and women of all abilities, recently gathered over 60 members for its annual summer event, featuring matches and a £330 charity fundraiser.
Community Impact and Charitable Giving
The celebrations extended beyond the pitch as members conducted a food drive and presented a £500 cheque to local charity Community for Food. The club has become a vital community pillar, fostering friendships and enhancing physical and mental wellbeing among older adults in a supportive environment.
Walking football is a slower-paced version of the game where players must keep one foot on the ground at all times, ensuring safety, fairness, and enjoyment. The club currently runs four weekly open social sessions and fields seven competitive teams across various age groups, including an unbeaten over-40s ladies squad.
Club Chair Reflects on Growth
Paul Rendall, club Chair, said: "Our club motto is 'more than a football club' and it sums up everything we've been building here at Oriam. We started as a small pilot in 2015 on the outdoor pitches at Balerno High School, where we wanted to bring walking football to this corner of Edinburgh. When Oriam opened its doors in 2016, we jumped at the chance to move indoors, and we've just continued to grow every single year since. We now have over 135 registered players, the oldest of whom is 84. Walking football here is open to women aged 40 and over and men aged 50 and over - some haven't kicked a ball in years, others have played all their lives."
Rendall added: "In 2025 alone, over 4,000 player places were taken up, and in the year to date we've already seen a 45 per cent uplift on those numbers. But what's been most incredible to witness over the past decade is the friendships that have formed and the camaraderie that's developed, along with the walking groups, social clubs and other activities that have grown up alongside the football. Oriam has been a gamechanger for us. Having world-class indoor facilities means we can play whatever the weather, and for a group of players in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond, that accessibility makes all the difference. It's been remarkable to see the impact it has had on people's lives."
Oriam Director Praises Club's Success
Chris Sellar, Director of Delivery at Oriam, commented: "When we first supported this pilot back in 2015, we could see the potential for walking football to make a real difference in the local community. What OWF has built over the past decade has surpassed all expectations. This is exactly what Oriam is about. Yes, we are home to some of Scotland's elite athletes, but we are just as committed to ensuring our facilities are open and accessible to people of all ages and abilities. OWF embodies that perfectly, proving that sport has no age limit and that staying active, whatever form that takes, can genuinely transform lives."
Social Hub and Continued Charity Work
Beyond football, the organisation has developed a thriving social hub, with walking, grub, golf, pool, and badminton groups emerging organically. Charitable giving remains central to the club's ethos; members raised over £6,200 for Alzheimer Scotland during previous anniversary campaigns. The milestone reflects the broader spirit of the sports hub, which originated from a £33m national investment to create world-class training facilities.
