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 have been playing football since i was a kid at school & into early 20s bit stopped playing through work & injuries, I’ve been managing in youth & mens open aged groups for 23 years which i still currently manage on Saturdays.
How long have you been involved with the running / management of the club?
I’ve been involved with Hull Pacemakers since january 2017 as a player but became assistant manager about a year ago & have just become manager recently.
Why did you first get involved with helping run your Walking Football club?
I have been coaching a long time now & offered to help if needed.
When was your Walking Club formed?
Around 3 years ago.
How many hours per week do you spend on club related matters?
2.
Is your club funded in any way and if so, how did you achieve securing these revenue streams?
We do club fundraising by race nights etc.
Does your club follow rules of the game created by any official body / association? If the answer is yes, why did you decide to follow those association rules?
Yes , rules are set for a reason so all clubs abide the laws of the game that’s in front of them but as Walking Football is still growing I’m sure there will be certain rules will be updated as it goes along.
How many regular players attend each session and how quickly have numbers grown since the club was formed?
Roughly around 10-12 per session, we’ve done well on new ladies/gents wanting to play & we get our message out via Facebook, Twitter, word of mouth & more recently the county fa helping us to promote a ladies team.
If your club plays a competitive game, rather than one of the weekly Walking Football fitness sessions, do you see any change of attitude in respect of competitiveness in the players?
Yes, training is fun for all but we’ve just recently finished our Thursday league which was trialled by the ercfa in Hull & the difference in the attitude of the players competitively is more focused than it would be in a club training session.
Do you feel fitter and healthier since you have started playing Walking Football and if so in which ways?
Yes, it’s a great way for the older generation to stay fit & keep active by playing the game at a pace that suits them.
Have you had any injuries playing and if so what were they?
Had an injury to my right ankle recently in which I’ve not played since, tissue damage having gone over on the inside knuckle.
Do you always have a club member present who has had first aid training at your games and training sessions?
Yes.
Has your social life changed since you became involved with Walking Football, and if so in which ways?
Yes it has, I’ve meet a good group of new friends which is good on the sociable side & we see each other weekly at the sessions plus it’s a great way of meeting players from other clubs to share thoughts on the game.
If you could sum up the benefits or enjoyment Walking Football brings you with a single quote, what would that quote be?
Enjoyment.
What are your best and worst Walking Football memories?
Best – playing /coaching.
Worst – injury to my ankle.
How else has playing Walking Football affected your life?
The social side definitely.
What do you like most about Walking Football?
Enjoying the game at a pace that suits your age group.
What do you like least about Walking Football?
Not playing.
Do you find it difficult NOT to run and what advice could you give someone in how to remain at walking pace?
Yes as it’s normal reaction to run but anyone coming into the game just a reminder or two that it is walking pace & learn off the other players who’s been in the same position you have.
What are your goals for the future regarding your Walking Football club?
Hopefully introducing a ladies team & keeping the club more active with friendlies & entering more tournaments.
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?
To give it a go, introduce them to the members & enjoy it, don’t beat yourself up if a mistakes made have a laugh & give it your best.
What do your friends and family think about you playing a sport again at your age?
Good but they think it’s comical at times.
What are the costs involved in order for you to play / run your Walking Football club?
We pay by the hour at our local centre where train but we all contribute to the costs with subscriptions.
Anything else you’d like to share?
If you enjoy football after your playing days try it you might just like it & let the youngsters have a go to see how they find s different side to the game.
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
