Can you start by telling the readers about the history of Browns Sports & Leisure Club?
Established in 1986 as a tennis club, Browns was completely renovated in 2000 to create a unique sports training facility in Southern Europe where teams of all levels can come for a warm-weather training camp.
This included the development of villas and sporting and catering facilities all located on the enclosed 53,000m2 complex.
What was the local tennis club has since developed into a Health Club & Spa with approximately 300 members year-round.
What are the facilities available for use at your training resort and how many sports do you cater for?
We cater to a wide range of sports teams of all levels from grassroots to National.
Sports include Football, Rugby, Gaelic sports, Athletes, Netball, Cricket, Swimming, Speed-skaters, Fitness Groups and more.
We also cater to many individuals and families who are here on holiday… many of which come for an active holiday!
- 2 Natural grass pitches
- Tennis Courts
- Netball Court 3G Pitch (5-a-side)
- Indoor & Outdoor Pool High Performance Gym (300m2)
- Health Club Gym
- Fitness studios
- Spinning studio
- 1 Sand Pitch
So when and how did Browns first get involved with Walking Football?
We read an article promoting Walking Football. In February 2015 we decided to start a Walking Football club here at Browns, with weekly sessions on Tuesday mornings.
What is the Algarve Walking Football Cup and can you tell us about the history behind it?
The Algarve Walking Football Cup started in October of 2015. After seeing the popularity of Walking Football grow both locally and internationally, we thought we would apply what we do for other sports to Walking Football.
We couldn’t think of a better combination than coming out to the sunny Algarve to play a game you love with other people with the same passion.
Have you hosted any other tournaments and if so which ones?
We organize 2 annual Walking Football tournaments, the Browns Walking Football Festival in May and the Algarve Walking Football Cup in October.
Besides WF, we’ve hosted a wide range of tournaments from the annual Algarve Rugby Festival now in it’s 8th year, ISA CUP for U18 football, LdV Football Tournament, Browns Corporate Cup (5-a-side tournament), Netball Algarve Cup, Vets Football tournament, Vets Rugby tournament, Lopes da Silva Tournament (U14 football tournament).
Could you please let us know some of the teams that have entered the tournaments over the years?
This October we had 20 teams, but this was only because we placed a limit on it.
If we hadn’t, we would have easily received more teams.
In October 2016 we had 8 teams, in May 2017, 10 teams.
Here are some of the teams that participated in our WF tournaments: Long Bennington FC, Portsmouth, Southampton strollers, Browns WF, Ayr United, São Brás WF, Clitheroe WF, Suffolk Strollers, Milwall WF, Olhão WF, Stamerton Stalkers, Carnoustie Panmure, Derby County, Mansfield Senior, Tullibody, Tweedvale, Tavira WF, West Lancs, Canterburry, Chesterton Crusaders, Heart of Midlothian, Exeter City, Hartshill Strollers and many more.
In the UK, we have more than 1 set of Walking Football rules available which have been written by the FA and WFU/WFA. Do you use these rules for your competitions and if not can you tell the readers which rules you officiate with and if our readers are interested, when they can find them?
The rules adopted in the beginning were based in existing rules in UK, from tournaments and WFA rules.
Our tournament rules have been slightly modified since then, having in consideration the safety of the players, the benefit for the games / tournament and what teams are used to playing.
Are you aware of how many Walking Football teams there are now in Portugal?
There are 5 teams here in the Algarve and 2 others in the Lisbon area. Algarve: Olhão WF, Tavira WF, São Brás WF, Browns WF, Lagos WF Lisbon area: Fundação Benfica WF, Silver Coast Strollers
So how much work goes into the organisation of the Walking Football tournaments you run and can you give us an idea of what is involved?
It all depends on the size of the tournament and how you want the set up. Factors such as how many days the tournament is, what format it is, how many pitches will be used all contribute to determining what needs to be done and how.
To give this year’s Walking Football Cup as an example though, there is a lot of organization behind the scenes for a tournament.
There is a pitch set- up including an area for spectators, information area for teams to access up-to-date tournament information, arrangements for referees, insurances, and medical staff, “pitch reps” who are responsible for the balls, scores, etc.
We like to include a tournament t-shirts and trophies as well, including a winners trophy that stays at Browns.
As most of the teams are flying over, there are a lot of added details that are reviewed about their overall stay here, Q&As with each team’s representatives, whom we are thank at the award ceremony!
If a Walking Football team here in the UK would like to get involved in your next tournament, what do they need to do to get involved?
All they need to do is email us at joao @browns-club.com and let us know if they would like to join the Walking Football Festival in May or Walking Football Cup in October.
We are also always open to teams coming out here for a bit of a holiday together as we can always arrange friendly fixtures.
Individuals staying at Browns are also more than welcome to join in on the Browns teams weekly session.
Do you have any upcoming events you would like to let the readers know about?
- Browns Walking Football Festival ; 3rd to 6th May 2018
- Algarve Walking Football Cup ; 4th to 7th October 2018
Other than the Walking Football Festival and Cup, we have our annual Algarve Rugby Festival, the next one will be held on the 24th March 2018.
You have your own Walking Football team at Browns, when was the team formed?
The first session was in February in 2015.
Does the team play in any other competitions in Europe and if so which ones have they attended?
The team has played other friendly fixtures with local teams from the Algarve as well as against Benfica in Lisbon.
We would like to ask your Walking Football team captain some questions if that is ok?
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?
Our sessions are open to everyone who wants to join.
Until now the regular players are all male with ages starting at 50 years old. So far the “WAGS” are the supporters/fans, but we hope to have some on the field in the near future!
What one or two things do you currently do in your training sessions that you think are important to avoid injury?
We have a warm up at the beginning of each session.
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?
Yes, there is always someone at Browns trained in first Aid at the sessions and tournaments. At tournaments we always have medical staff on the pitch side-lines as well as Browns’ defibrillator.
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?
Our team is very social, that is what we like most about it.
We meet us every Tuesday, some have coffee together before practice and many of us stay after practice for a drink or bite to eat at the Sports Bar & Restaurant.
We’ll also regularly get together at various restaurants in the Algarve… next week we’re out for a Curry!
What are your best and worst memories of playing Walking Football?
Best: Meeting new people.
Worst: People running and tackling
How else has playing Walking Football affected your life?
The Social Life.
What do you like most about Walking Football?
Looking Forward to Tuesday’s
What do you like least about Walking Football?
Inconsistent Rules.
Do you find it difficult NOT to run and what advice could you give someone in how to remain at walking pace?
Yes, takes a long time to learn.
What are your goals for the future when playing Walking Football?
Just to keep enjoying and injury free.
What advice would you give to someone who would like to play but is nervous about approaching a club or attending a Walking Football session for the first time?
Get to your local club as you will love it.
What are the costs involved in order for you to play Walking Football for foot ware, kit and weekly session fees?
Not too much as most people have shorts, shirts and trainers.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Just turn up and don’t take it too serious and enjoy.
Edited by referee
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
