Members of a Kettering walking football group have added their voices to boost a campaign to encourage people with long-term health conditions to get active.

Supporting people with a range of long-term health conditions, We Are Undefeatable has been developed by 15 health and social care charities using National Lottery funding from Sport England.

We Are Undefeatable filmed content at walking football sessions which will feature as part of its ‘Move Your Way’ summer campaign. It encourages people to get moving in fun or unexpected ways that work for them, showing that staying active can take many forms beyond traditional exercise.

In the North Northants Council area, walking footballers, who meet weekly at Kettering Leisure Village (KLV), have called on others – men and women to join their group and other activities such as walking netball and walking cricket.

Kettering walking football group

Kettering resident Eddie Giacobbe, who admits to being ‘72 years young’, joined the Tuesday morning KLV sessions three years ago – and can’t speak highly enough of the benefits of walking football.

He said: “I love every minute of walking football – there’s a great bunch of guys and a lot of camaraderie. You get the physical benefit obviously but also its good for mental health which is really important. I hate it when I have to miss a week.

“We do play some good football but it more than that, it’s the camaraderie – afterwards we have a coffee and chat, and once a month we go for lunch.”

Some of the group played for local town sides and have linked up decades later.

Ian Clark also joined the group three years ago and has tried to keep fit all his life.

He said: “You need it when you get older. You pack up work, there’s a void, you want things to do, and the wife wants you out the way!

“This is an escape, but it’s a great escape and taken us to where we were when we were young and it’s great. We’re meeting people who we played football with when we were in our 20s.

“We would love more people to come and join us – we are very welcoming.”

The Kettering players, who meet every Tuesday at 10am until midday to play on the arena courts, are supported by Ottavio Tanzillo, active communities officer at North Northants Council Leisure.

He said: “We can offer advice, support and guidance. We Are Undefeatable is for those with long-term health conditions. The council helps with promotion of the sessions and providing leisure facilities to enable them. It’s not just about the sport, it’s taking a holistic approach…”

To find a walking sport session near you go to https://www.northnorthants.gov.uk/leisure-and-sports/walking-sports

The We Are Undefeatable campaign brings together health and social care charities across the UK who support people living with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions – long-term limiting mobility conditions, Alzheimer’s, Asthma, back pain, cancer, COPD, dementia, heart disease, stroke, hypertension (or other heart related condition), long-term depression or anxiety, MS, Parkinson’s and Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

To watch the Kettering walking footballers’ film: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/V8YeCqWSuG0

Source: https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/people/kettering-walking-footballers-boost-campaign-to-encourage-people-with-long-term-health-conditions-to-get-active-8784658