Could you start by telling us a little about your background such as if you were you a sporty person when you were younger, and how long you had a break from playing sports before you got involved with Walking Football?
I started playing football at the age of 9 and have since loved sport in general. At school, I was involved in athletics and later in life qualified as a Physical Education Teacher.
I also participate in road running and Cross Country. I have completed many marathons including 8 Two Oceans Ultra Marathons (56km) and 4 Comrades Marathons (89km)
I continued playing competitive football until my 50th birthday (o45) when I retired with a busted hip, torn Achilles and torn calve muscle.
I have since included cycling into my training program and I gym (weights) on average twice a week.
I have never taken a break from sports. I however started Walking Football about 3 months after playing competitively.
How long have you played Walking Football?
I discovered Walking Football about 3 months after giving up on ever playing the Beautiful Game again. I have now been playing Walking Football for just over 3 months…and I’m loving it.
Why did you first get involved with Walking Football?
As mentioned earlier, I have a busted hip, more specifically; I have osteo- arthritis in my hip. There is no cartilage and it is bone on bone. I am in pain all day. I had up until the day of my 50th birthday played League Football in an 045 team. At this stage I had also torn my Achilles and my calve muscle.
Running was extremely painful and I was unable to enjoy playing Football…or so I thought. And then…I discovered Walking Football…it has given me a new lease on life….absolutely bloody awesome!!!!
How many times a week do you take part in Walking Football sessions?
I average twice a week. The most I’ve played was 4 times. I aim for 3, but sometimes life gets in the way.
Can you let the readers know about your Walking Football sessions in regards of which age group are they for, are they male only, female only or unisex sessions?
We are mostly males. There have been a few sessions where females have joined in. In fact one of our founders is a female. When the females do pitch they join in with the guys and we all play together.
The guys are all over 50 with the oldest player coming onto the pitch being 70+.
When you play a game of Walking Football do you play to the WFA / WFU or FA rules and why did your club decide to follow those rules of the game?
We play to the basic rules of Walking Football. I’m unsure as to whether it is aligned with the WFA or WFU. The basic rules are:
· No running
· No tackling
· No contact
· No high balls
· Loads of fun and enjoyment
The reason for us buying into these rules is that it helps prevent injuries and ensures that the guys can keep coming back…and believe me they do!
Describe the buzz you get having the opportunity to play a team sport again at your age?
I literally get high every time I play. I feel like I’m born again… a fresh start…new beginning. It’s like I’m fifteen (15 not 50) all over again.
The game is wonderfully refreshing and extremely addictive…I just can’t get enough…
What one or two things do you currently do in your training sessions that you think are important to avoid injury?
We do warm ups…this is where we simulate the movements that we make during the game.
We then have a light stretching session. These 2 activities help prepare us for an awesome session which ranges from 1 to 2 hours.
Have you played competitive Walking Football, if so which tournaments / leagues?
We have not gotten as far to commence with our leagues and we will be having our first competitive tournament this coming weekend.
We are currently in the process of engaging with the various stakeholders with regards to how to formally organise the game around leagues and tournaments for the long term.
We have no doubt whatsoever that Walking Football is here to stay.
Has your diet changed since you have started playing Walking Football? If so what is different?
I have changed my diet a while back already. I now have a high protein low carbs diet. Since doing this and playing Walking Football I have effectively lost 5kgs.
My aim is to be lean and mean once again as the guys I play with are highly skilled and competitive and it takes quite a bit of effort to keep up.
Do you feel fitter and healthier since you have started playing Walking Football and if please describe how?
Absolutely…I am feeling very fit…have lost 5kgs…and many more to follow. I still train hard, I cycle, I gym and I walk hard…the game draws me to this end!
Can you describe any injuries you have suffered when playing Walking Football and can you let the readers know how they were caused?
When I started playing Walking Football I was already heavily injured. I have however grown in strength and have not incurred any new injuries.
We have realised that not warming up and stretching sufficiently is one of the causes of injuries.
We have also seen that the more we play, the fitter we become and this also makes it easier for us to forget our ages and try to do what teenagers do…and this too causes injuries.
Do you always have a club member present who has had first aid training at your games and training sessions, and is there a defibrillator available if needed?
Most of the guys who play has a strong sporting back ground with many, including myself having been trained in First Aid.
I have however not seen a defibrillator on site…but I have seen quite a few vibrators in some of the guys bags (Alan: he calls it after action satisfaction).
Has your social life changed since you started playing, and if so in what way?
One of the biggest benefits has been developing many new friends and meeting up with old ones after many many years…what a joy. I am however anticipating that this will soon impact upon my social life, given the vibrancy and passion for life amongst the Golden Oldies. We are already planning an all Nighter where we will be walking and partying all night long in aid of raising funds for CANCER.
Does your club or facility where you play Walking Football hold any social or charity events connected with Walking Football and if so what were they?
As mentioned earlier we are planning to participate in a Cancer Relay For Life.
Some of our guys recently rallied around a disadvantaged athlete and purchased her a quality pair of Track Shoes…needless to say she was ecstatic. Many more are in the pipeline.
What are your best and worst memories of playing Walking Football?
My best memory was the first time I played…it reminds me of that song: never as good as the first time. That day it dawned on me that I will be playing until the day I am unable to walk. Actually…then we’ll just start Crawling Football.
I have no bad memories.
How else has playing Walking Football affected your life?
It has truly given me a new lease on life. It has brought me tremendous joy and satisfaction added with great friendships and camaraderie…I love it!!!
What do you like most about Walking Football?
I like mostly the fact that I can still play…that everyone who wants to can still play. I like it when I see the skill displayed and mostly the pure joy on the men’s faces…matchless!
I like it when we celebrate our health, togetherness and friendship.
NB: I also like it a lot when I score and my team wins…
What do you like least about Walking Football?
I do not like it when we forget what the main purpose for this BEAUTIFUL GAME being started is and we become overly competitive to the point of excluding some.
Do you find it difficult NOT to run and what advice could you give someone in how to remain at walking pace?
Not running is actually quite easy for me, since I cannot run. But yes…as the game gets heated and the excitement intensifies then I’m to do whatever it takes to get the ball, including running.
Players should be encouraged to walk a lot outside of the game. Do a lot more intentional brisk walking. Our walking muscles need to be conditioned in the same we did our running muscles.
Having a team talk before the games where we remind each other of the rules also helps in this regard.
What are your goals for the future when playing Walking Football?
My goals include getting super fit. Participating regularly and remaining injury free. Oh yes and being part of the First Cape Town Walking World Cup Team…BRING IT ON!!!!
What advice would you give to someone who would like to play but is nervous aboutapproaching a club or attending a Walking Football session for the first time?
I suggest that they should just come to one of the sessions, watch for a few minutes and jump in…they will never regret it.
What do your friends and family think about you playing a sport again at your age?
My friends and family are very happy for me. My 21 year old son checks in with me after every game and the connection in that moment is priceless. He is actually jealous of my vibe and is getting back into the game.
My wife is particularly happy because when I am happy and fit then my testosterone levels and related hormones increase dramatically and lots of additional happy moments are created.
What are the costs involved in order for you to play Walking Football for foot ware, kit and weekly session fees?
The costs are very minimal. The average amount paid at each game is R20. Some of the guys are unable to give this due to employment or financial challenges, the rest are very understanding of this and merely give extra to cover the expenses.
I haven’t needed to spend any money on foot ware, my old takkies have been up to the task. Bibs are provided on the night.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I am very grateful for those who have initiated this game and particularly for our leaders in Cape Town. They include Ruudi Abrahams, Dawn Ehrenreich, Shahied Adams and Charles Fuller. You guys are amazing and we THE WALKING FOOTBALLERS of Cape Town salute and appreciate you dearly.
Shukraan and GodBless!!!
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
