Walking Football Club Name: sv Juliana ’31 OldStars
Favourite Position: defender
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 used to be an indoor football player but I got the advice to stop playing due to problems with my knee after running a marathon in Rotterdam. From about the age of 8 (till about 35 years old) I played football outside and because I was the youngest I had to be a goal keeper for a long time. Despite my “evolution” as a midfielder and a striker I always liked being a goalkeeper. When I have a minor injury I always start my re validation as a goalkeeper.
How long have you played Walking Football?
Since September 2015.
Why did you first get involved with Walking Football?
I saw an article in the local newspaper about N.E.C. Nijmegen (professional football club second level in the Netherlands) starting a walking Football section. I was laughing: OMG WALKING Football!!! But I joined the first training and fell in love with the game instantly.
How many times a week do you take part in Walking Football sessions?
Once a week.
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?
At my current club there are some youngsters aged about 57/58, but most are 60plus and a few 70+ and 80+. We have one female player. Once we had two more ladies but due to injuries in combination with other interests they had to stop.
When you play a game of Walking Football do you play to the WFA, WFS, WFU or FA rules and why did your club decide to follow those rules of the game?
In the Netherlands we have some different rules than in the UK. Smaller goals, no goal keeper, no tackling. But despite this… I like our rules!
Describe the buzz you get having the opportunity to play a team sport again at your age?
When I first played the game I was a bit emotionally because it was great playing football again. I love football very much I missed it a while. I especially love to play in a team and give a defense-splitting pass to one our strikers.
What one or two things do you currently do in your training sessions that you think are important to avoid injury?
I always do a rather long warming up session combined with some jogging intervals. I also structure kicking the ball. First very soft kicking and then more intensive.
Have you played competitive Walking Football, if so which tournaments / leagues?
I have played some but I don’t like it. It may cause injuries because of long waiting between the several games. And I really hate players being to competitive and yelling at each others and the ref.
Has your diet changed since you have started playing Walking Football? If so what is different?
Not really, but I try to eat more food with a lot of protein like cottage cheese.
Do you feel fitter and healthier since you have started playing Walking Football and if please describe how?
I also jog every two or three days and WF is also better for basic condition and my muscles.
Can you describe any injuries you have suffered when playing Walking Football and can you let the readers know how they were caused?
I once had, I hope it is the correct expression a blood outflow. I was traveling with the night bus from London back home and arrived 9 AM. I was rather tired but anyway joined our training sessions at 10 AM because I liked the game so much. After one hour a player and I “crashed” onto another player. Probably due to being tired and losing control of my movements.
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?
We have about 6 players which are trained to use a defibrillator. We have at our club.
Has your social life changed since you started playing, and if so in what way?
Yes, I have more friends (my team mates) and meet more people at our club.
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?
We intend to raise money for charity during our first tournament but we had to postpone it because of the corona virus. There are always some spectators watching our training sessions and we like to involve people with our activities.
What are your best and worst memories of playing Walking Football?
Best one: one of our players didn’t need pain killers anymore after playing WF for a few months. He has chronic pains which requires pain killers but was able to stop using pain killers because he makes movements with his body which results in better using his muscles.
Worst memories: a tournament with a lot of frustrated players yelling at each other and the ref.
How else has playing Walking Football affected your life?
Since a few years I am a kind of voluntary ambassador/consultant/trainer for WF in our region. I advice seniors when they like to start with WF. It is great fun to share my experience with WF and organising.
What do you like most about Walking Football?
You can play football at a lower pace and it even is fun!
What do you like least about Walking Football?
Players who constantly are running instead of walking and are very frustrated when they are being told not to do so.
Do you find it difficult NOT to run and what advice could you give someone in how to remain at walking pace?
It took me some time to get used to it. My advice: start practicing “very brisk walking”.
What are your goals for the future when playing Walking Football?
Keep my body I a good shape and play it as long as possible.
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?
Be reasonable about your goals. Try to have fun instead to focus on your performance.
What do your friends and family think about you playing a sport again at your age?
Most people think it is great to stay an active athlete as along as possible. Some people making funny remarks on WALKING football or recall they are fit enough to play regular football.
What are the costs involved in order for you to play Walking Football for foot ware, kit and weekly session fees?
We pay 50% of the fee for regular players, which is about GBP 60 (including rental of our club kit). I once bought regular kicks which I can use for walking football.
Anything else you’d like to share?
When it is possible and responsible, try to stay active as an athlete. Not only for your health but also for having social contacts! In 2010 I first attended a FC Barnet match at the Underhill.
When our team manager was searching for an London WF team for a friendly match there was only one team responding: the WFT…. FC Barnet!!!
We visited them last year with 8 players and last September the would join our first tournament (which we had to postpone due to the corona virus).
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
