This June marks a special milestone for Oriam Walking Football Club as it celebrates its 10th anniversary with a commemorative invitational tournament on Monday 24th June 2025. The event will bring together walking football clubs from across Scotland for a day of sport, community, and reflection—all in support of a cause close to the club’s heart.
The 10th Anniversary Invitation Tournament, proudly sponsored by Scott Coppola Electrical Distributors, will see teams from Hibs, Hearts, Gala Fairydean, Stenhousemuir, Pollok, Dunbar, and Dundee East join Oriam on the pitch to celebrate a decade of growth, friendship, and healthy competition. The tournament also serves a bigger purpose: raising funds for Alzheimer Scotland, the club’s chosen charity for 2025.
From a Pilot Session to a Thriving Community
The roots of Oriam Walking Football Club go back to July 2015, when Chris Sellar, a familiar face at Oriam, launched a pilot session to introduce the sport to Edinburgh’s western communities. It started small, but Chris saw early on the powerful physical and mental benefits of walking football—particularly for older adults—and was committed to helping it flourish.
Over time, interest grew. What started as a modest weekly session gradually expanded, moving indoors to Oriam’s world-class facilities—a move that proved pivotal. “The rest is history,” as the club proudly says.
Today, Oriam Walking Football Club is a vibrant, welcoming community with over 100 active members and four regular weekly sessions, including a newly launched Wednesday evening session. The club also runs a Thursday squad session for its six competition teams, who represent Oriam in tournaments throughout Scotland and Europe.
A Celebration of Football and Friendship
The 10th Anniversary Tournament is more than a competition—it’s a celebration of how far the club has come, and a chance to welcome friends old and new. Many of the visiting clubs will be experiencing Oriam for the first time, and the team is looking forward to showing off the state-of-the-art facilities that have helped them thrive.
“Oriam has supported us from the very beginning,” said a club spokesperson. “We’re incredibly grateful, and we’re proud to host this special event here where it all began.”
Supporting Alzheimer Scotland
Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, at recent Oriam Walking Football charity event
Throughout the event, donations and fundraising activities will go toward Alzheimer Scotland, an organisation that supports people living with dementia and their families. The charity's mission ties in with the club’s own belief in the power of sport to support not just physical health, but mental wellbeing and community connection.
As the whistle blows on 10 years of Oriam Walking Football, the club remains committed to inclusivity, health, and the joy of the beautiful game—at walking pace. Whether you’re a player, supporter, or just curious about walking football, the 24th of June promises to be a memorable celebration.
Happy 10th Anniversary, Oriam Walking Football Club!