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EAST AYRSHIRE FFIT ARE A CLUB GEARED TOWARDS POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH AND HELPING PLAYERS LOSE WEIGHT 11:41, 29 May 2025Updated 12:09, 29 May 2025 A Kilmarnock football club are celebrating

after securing the title in their maiden season. East Ayrshire FFIT, who are based at Synergy Arena, lifted the Warriors Football Association League One trophy last weekend after completing

a tremendous first campaign. FFIT - which stands for Football Fans in Training - is a programme aimed at getting folk fitter and improving mental health through playing football with the

Warrior Football Association being described as ‘Scotland’s only grassroots weight loss football association’. The club was founded less than a year ago through committee members Johnny

Armer, Peter McClurg, Richie Morrison and Gary Parker. READ MORE: Erin Cuthbert teams up with Specsavers to launch Best Worst Pitch campaign to help grassroots clubs Shortly after, the

coaching team of Scott McLean and Mark Pearson were brought on board. And it’s been a success story every since - with the club keen to continue their winning form when they tackle the WFA

Championship next term. Article continues below Speaking to the Standard, player Barry Armstrong explains the club’s story and the benefits both he and his team-mates have gained since

joining. He said: “It started about 11 months ago and then we joined the Warriors Football Association. “That’s an organisation that covers the whole of Scotland. They’ve got three leagues

and we joined at the bottom in League One. That was a brand new league because there was so many new teams joining. “It’s an organisation that’s growing all the time, which is great to see.

“I’d encourage folk to get involved. It’s great for players who are a bit older or carrying a bit more weight but still want to be involved and play 11-a-side. “I put a bit of weight on

after having a family, which I’m sure plenty of guys can relate to, and it’s been a perfect avenue to get back into the game for me.” READ MORE: New Kilmarnock boss Stuart Kettlewell feels

he has 'good nucleus' but targets new signings He added: “There’s great mental health benefits. One of the things we all spoke about after getting presented with the trophy was the

bond we had and the social aspect. It’s not just about playing football. It’s like a family and being part of something. “There’s a few guys in the team who have struggled with mental

health in the past and they say it’s one of the best things they’ve done because they have that routine and something to look forward to as well as having that togetherness with a group of

guys who basically didn’t know each other at all less than a year ago - now we’re best pals. “It’s very family-orientated, all our kids have the kits and got involved in the trophy

celebrations, everyone loves it.” Their debut campaign couldn’t have gone much better, and Armstrong is gunning for more when the new campaign gets back up and running. He said: “We’re going

into the Championship and we’d love to go back-to-back and win the league again. That’s our aim going into the new season. Article continues below “The standard of football is really good,

so that’s going to be a challenge, but as a collective that’s what the club want to achieve next season.” DON'T MISS THE LATEST AYRSHIRE HEADLINES – sign up to our free daily newsletter

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