We shine a spotlight on the Club’s Walking Football initiative which is continuing to grow from strength to strength.

Walking football is one of the fastest growing sporting activities for both men and women, it is also a sport that’s surprisingly fast moving, physically challenging, skilful and technical. Designed and adapted for those who can’t play or aren’t interested in playing mainstream soccer, this more controlled game has many tangible health benefits for people of any age. Indeed, being physically active as we get older is a critical factor associated with personal physical and mental wellness and health.

Led by researchers, there is now a growing body of demonstrable proof that playing walking football can help to improve physical, mental and social outcomes.

Growing Popularity
The meteoric rise of walking football over the past 10 years is due to a several factors. In 2014, Barclay’s Bank ran a television advertisement that featured the sport. Then in 2015 walking football was introduced in the FA People’s Cup as part of BBC’s ‘Get Inspired’ initiative.

In 2017, the Football Association of Wales and UEFA included a walking football competition in the celebrations held in Cardiff for the Champions League Cup Final, and the same year Sky Sports began televising national and international walking football tournaments.

A Player’s View
When I first saw WF being advertised on TV, the individual spoke glowingly of this new form of the game, which was designed for the over 50s. At first, I was quite sceptical but after some research, it was quickly replaced by a realisation that this could be something that I had been searching for.

Nervously, I went along to a Sunday morning session in my local town and was met by a group of enthusiastic and like-minded individuals who made me so welcome, that in no time it seemed like I had been involved in this sport for MONTHS rather than minutes. I was able to rekindle the skills of my youth whilst having fun, getting fitter and developing camaraderie, which proved priceless.

What Next?
Spennymoor Town Walking Football Club offer three sessions per week, which are open to males, 50+ and females 40+. Why not come along and challenge your views?

Tuesday: 10-11am at Spennymoor Leisure Centre
Thursday: 2-3pm at Spennymoor Leisure Centre
Saturday: 10-11am at Coxhoe Leisure Centre

All sessions are £3, and your first session is free.