Hampden Heroes gives people with dementia the opportunity to play the sport they love.
Football fans and former players living with dementia have been invited to join a new league in Glasgow.
Hampden Heroes is a dementia-friendly walking football league developed by Alzheimer Scotland to improve the lives of people with the condition in and around the city.
In addition to helping players keep fit and healthy, the league also allows people to remain connected with the sport and with others in a similar situation.
Supported by Partick Thistle, Queens Park, Celtic and Rangers, participants play ten-minute games leading up to a chance to compete for a cup later this year.
The project was created by Chris Kelly, a volunteer at Alzheimer Scotland’s Dementia Resource Centre in Bridgeton, Glasgow.
He said: “I knew pretty early on that I wanted to create a dementia-friendly activity where people with dementia could stay connected with football in the community and also take part in some light physical activity.
“Participants are given the chance to play the game they love, for the team they support, at Hampden Park. The project has been the outcome of months of planning and I am thrilled that we now have the opportunity to bring the league to life.
“Thanks also to the support and generosity from our partners, we have been able to bring together the league and cup season showing the positive effects that football can have in improving the lives of people living with dementia.”
Peter Sweeney, who played for Queen’s Park during the 1960s and is living with dementia, called the project “fantastic”.
He added: I have thoroughly enjoyed taking part as it has brought back many memories of playing for Queen’s Park in the 60s. The only downside was that I sometimes struggle not to run and cheat a little!
“It is a great way for people living with dementia to socialise and exercise and I would definitely recommend it to others."
It is great to see the support of everyone in the dressing room before the game - the joy on the faces of the players as they pulled on their jersey, and the pleasure as they step onto the pitch
The project has been made possible thanks to the support of the Alzheimer Scotland’s involvement with The Lens programme, which encourages innovative and sustainable ideas that benefit the community.
Support has also come from partners including Football Memories Scotland, Hampden Park and the Hampden Sports Clinic, as well as funding from Third Lanark, who have donated strips.
Robert Harvey, Football Memories Scotland volunteer and former Clyde FC player, said: “I played my first game of professional football at Hampden Park on New Year’s Day in 1973, but it was not as much fun as playing in Alzheimer Scotland’s walking football league game at Hampden.
“It is great to see the support of everyone in the dressing room before the game - the joy on the faces of the players as they pulled on their jersey, and the pleasure as they step onto the pitch and being part of a football team.”
Games are played at Hampden Park every month, with upcoming fixtures on July 4, August 1 and September 12. For more information contact Chris Kelly from Alzheimer Scotland on 0141 418 3943 or at [email protected]
