How long have you played Walking Football?
Just coming up to 1 year.
Why did you first get involved with Walking Football?
Was looking to increase my physical activity..
I coach volleyball but that was not giving me enough and I needed something else.
How many times a week do you take part in Walking Football sessions?
Well currently along with an Active Herts program, do 2 times a week.
The second one being our club night which was founded from the Active Herts get fit social sessions… plus we try and play at least 2 match tournaments a month.
Also train with Dagenham & Redbridge on a Wednesday night as well.
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 aimed at 50+ and although team sessions are for development of club we would welcome anyone who wants to improve fitness and dare I say technical ability at Walking Football.
So men women anyone and everyone is welcome.
We will develop the club around what the members and community want and that is how it should be.
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?
As yet we are never sure what rules to apply as it seems every tournament we have played in thus far work under all three or a mixture of all three which does at times confuse you to know how best to teach players under which rules to play under.
Ideally it would be great if there was just one set all parties agreed to.
Describe the buzz you get having the opportunity to play a team sport again at your age?
Oh gosh lol how long have I got…
Having played at a pretty high level even well into my early 40s when I finally hung up my gloves I thought that was it.
But playing football again like this I never realised what a buzz it would give me.
I have met not just within our club some amazing people and I can say that about every single one of them made some good friends outside of club with other teams, have had many many laughs and has given me a new lease of life.
What one or two things do you currently do in your training sessions that you think are important to avoid injury?
Warming up is vital… with the cold nights drawing in now even more so… light ball work also is good nothing to much to over stretch the muscles but enough to get them warmer.
Have you played competitive Walking Football, if so which tournaments / leagues?
Well we have played in an over 65s first one we entered we won down in Romford.. have played in Brighton and a great day this was and one over in Barnet and Stevenage, and last weekend a 12 team over 50s which we finished as creditable 3rd place only conceding 1 goal in last min of extra time in semi… Our proudest moment thus far.
We have also just entered the TRA National League southern section due to start in November so watch this space haha
Has your diet changed since you have started playing Walking Football? If so what is different?
Is the sky blue and the grass green lol…. I would like to say yes but my slimming world book says maybe not as much as I would have liked… enough said on that subject lol
Do you feel fitter and healthier since you have started playing Walking Football and if please describe how?
That is a definite yes..
I can see that within all the players as well.
In the early days we would have to sub players every few minutes it seemed now same 6 or so can play 12 -15 minutes without having to come off and this had helped everyone feel a massive benefit through playing this amazing sport.
Can you describe any injuries you have suffered when playing Walking Football and can you let the readers know how they were caused?
Being a keeper at our age I have hurt my chest with my cartilage pulled, broke a finger, knees ache and wrists… does this put me off NO WAY maybe I am a glutton for punishment but I patch myself up and go again.
Try keeping me away lol.
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?
Other than myself who has first aid training which I did for my volleyball club no one else at present but we are looking to change that soon.
The sports centre does have a defibrillator and once we have been affiliated to our local football club we will also have our own one.
Has your social life changed since you started playing, and if so in what way?
Other than not seeing my partner as much… which she may think is a good thing lol it has changed in the way that meeting 3-4 times a week with guys playing Walking Football it has gotten me out more which is exactly what I needed so yes, it has improved it 10 fold.
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 we are very new in setting up the club (just a few months) nothing yet but it is our intention I am sure to do many events throughout the year not just to improve the club but help the local community which again is what this is all about.
What are your best and worst memories of playing Walking Football?
Hmmmm best memories are playing with a great bunch of team mates.
Recently being nominated by 2 respected people within Walking Football for possible trials for England WFT.
And our recent 3rd place tournament finish.
Worse moments are of course letting in goals when i know i could do better.
Getting injured.
Other than that really are very few if any downsides.
How else has playing Walking Football affected your life?
Has motivated me to get involved more with helping other clubs supporting them and my own, feeling part of something good at an age where we are not expected to do anything is amazing.
To see a group of guys come together and enjoy sessions 1 2 3 times a week and thrive on them is also amazing.
Gives me and them I am sure a purpose, and we all need that regardless of what age we are.
What do you like most about Walking Football?
Well I think maybe already answered this.
But the getting together with people I would never have met and having a great laugh together..
It is competitive but not in anyway malice we all get along very well indeed so… it has to be the crack we all have.
And that’s priceless.
What do you like least about Walking Football?
Not playing it lol.
Do you find it difficult NOT to run and what advice could you give someone in how to remain at walking pace?
This is a hard one… the biggest problem is some referees let things go a little others not.
It’s so difficult for them so until they can know what’s legal and not it is so hard to tell players what to do and not do.
The only guideline one can say is see what the referees allow and what they won’t .
What are your goals for the future when playing Walking Football?
To increase membership – have 2 teams including a ladies one.
Make this more popular and promote this within community and further afield.
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?
Come along to a session and take a look.
We have a social session where it is more about getting involved without any pressure to be good.
No one is ever laughed at for giving it a go or making a mistake as we all did those when we started.
I was surprised how friendly everyone was so there really is never a reason not to get involved you will always be welcome at any club you go to.
What do your friends and family think about you playing a sport again at your age?
Haha.. first thing is what the hell is that.
But once they know they think it is a great ideal.
I know some members have told there friends and now they are also playing.
It is amazing fun, a regret of getting involved I do not have.
What are the costs involved in order for you to play Walking Football for foot ware, kit and weekly session fees?
We keep cost down as much as possible or between £1.50-£2.50 per session, membership will be between £20-30 per year first year and top end will include kit.
Ideally you will need shin pads if playing tournaments more prevention than any bad tackles as this is not allowed and astro turf boots.
But for social and most sessions just a pair of trainers is fine.
So costs are indeed very very low.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Walking Football is about doing something you never thought you would do after your playing days ended… but it’s fun.
You can go at your pace, no one will moan, no one cares about ability all we do care about is you having fun and enjoying it.
So if you were ever unsure… what is the worst that can happen.
You may not want to go again but then again you may never want to stop… lol
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
