Firstly on behalf of everyone involved at walkingfootball.com I would like to congratulate you on your new position as the England Walking Football Manager for the over 50’s team. What does it feel like to be named the first England over 50’s Walking Football Manager?
Thank you very much and to be honest it hasn’t quite sunk in!
I am immensely proud and honoured to have been entrusted with this very important role.
To be associated with a team representing our great nation, is a dream come true.
Could you please tell the readers about your previous roles and involvement in Walking Football and what made you decide to get involved with it in the first place?
I was asked, by my business partner, to get involved in a local sports club that was about to be closed down.
With our own finances we rescued the club, along the way we discovered Walking Football, accidentally really and decided to give it a trial for our older members.
Over 3 years later we now run 16 sessions for over 400 people per week.
We truly felt a genuine buzz and an enormous sense of well being from witnessing the positive benefits people were receiving as a result of playing the sport.
Why did you decide to apply for the England Manager’s job?
Although we spend a large amount of time facilitating the sport for all people of all abilities and all walks of life we have a very active competitive element.
We have a very large pool of players that are identified, trialed in a competitive arena and subsequently represent the club, at the highest level.
My qualified backroom team is of a very high standard and I have been involved in football management for a number of years.
We have the infrastructure in place at BWFC to facilitate such an undertaking, which can be transferred to the national side.
As a passionate England fan who is passionate about Walking Football, the job was just too tempting to ignore.
What do you think will be the most difficult or challenging part about being England Walking Football Manager?
Ensuring success on the pitch, it can be the best job in the word or it can be the worst!
The initial term for the position is for 3 years. Is this a fixed term regardless of results and tournament positions?
The position is for 2 years, which entails recruiting and coaching the team at the proposed 2019 European championships.
Will there be any additional members in the management team and if so, could you please let the readers know who they are and what roles they will undertake?
- David Norton: Assistant Manager and Physio
- David Castle: 1st team coach
- Terry Rice: Head Scout
- Graham Plimmer: GK Coach
- Inc various support admin staff
What exactly are the national player trials and will these be a player’s only opportunity to get picked? If not what other opportunities will be available to get picked for your team?
There will be regional trial dates announced soon.
The players that have been handed to us (nominated players) will be invited to attend.
The scouting network is already in place and will be attempting to identify potential players that will add something to the squad.
These will also be invited to attend the trials.
Our scouts will use tournament platforms such as WFA organized tournaments and the TRA National League, for example, to identify players.
This will be an ongoing policy, we need to adopt a proactive approach over the next couple of years, we have to consider the changing landscape of Walking Football, more teams, more players, players coming of age, our ‘youth policy’ has already identified players that are 49 that may be considered.
How would a Walking footballer catch your eye with an aim to getting picked for the team?
Ability (inc ability to adhere to WFA rules ie running)
Remember, I’m looking for Walking Footballers not footballers!
What are the top three qualities you would look for when picking an international player?
In addition to the above …
Character, are they able to cope under competitive pressure, are they reliable and possess a professional approach.
Competitive, but respectful to other teams and players is essential.
Attitude, do they possess team spirit and WF ethos, do they encourage pride in their team.
Will potential candidates have to undertake a medical?
As always in our organisation, all the necessary steps will be taken to ensure players safety and well being.
Do you decide the number of squad players required for your age group?
Yes.
What will be your total number of squad players and how many of each position do you plan to pick?
There will be 10 selected 1st team players for the first planned friendly games.
In addition to this there will be 10 further players selected for a ‘shadow squad’ this squad will also play friendly matches inc each other.
2 goal keepers required in each squad and we are hopeful that we are able to pick players that are proficient in more than one position.
How many days do you anticipate will be required for a player to attend international duties over a calendar year?
Impossible to put an exact figure on this, depends on how many countries are amenable and willing to play.
There will be training days and friendlies leading up to international games, we will be conscious of the fact that people will be giving up their spare time so only a manageable amount is expected.
Have any internationals been penned in yet and if so can you share with the readers who the opposition will be?
1st step was to appoint the teams to lead the teams, next step is to build a squad ready to play against opposition.
Whilst this is in progress, communications that are already in motion will be furthered to play all the home nations inc. further afield such as Italy, Holland and Spain.
Friendlies against the top clubs will also be on the agenda.
When playing an international match, who will decide which rules of the game will be used to officiate the match?
These are obviously part of the negotiations taking part with the amenable countries.
However, when teams agree to play in a tournament they usually abide by the tournament rules, in this case the WFA rules.
The FIFA law for international matches states ‘Referees for international matches will be selected from a neutral country unless the countries concerned agree to appoint their own officials’ Do you know yet which association or organisation will provide the match officials for international matches, and will they have to be from a neutral country?
Again, all part of the negotiations with the particular country/countries concerned but we are lucky that we have many referees and officials that hail from ‘neutral countries’ in the system already.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I’m excited to implement our vision and although it’s a challenging task getting to know the strengths and capabilities of players/candidates across the nation, with the team I have behind me I know we can make the first England Walking football team successful both on and off the field.
It is our wish to propel the England WF team to be the leading light in international Walking Football promoting fair play and example to others in this fantastic sport.
I would like to thank you for your time and wish you the very best of luck in your new role.
Many thanks, I will endeavour to do my very best.
Author: The Walking Football
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