Stuart Carrington, LCFA’s football development officer and manager of the England Parkinson’s Walking Football Team, flew to the Cinco Soccer centre in Tampa, FL, with two squads to introduce walking football to communities in the USA.
The squad stayed in the US for one week with the event being spread over a weekend.
Saturday was scheduled as a ‘fun day’ which allowed a variety of people to try walking football for the very first time.
Carrington explained the immediate impact this had, and recounted a lady telling him her husband was brought to tears about having the ability to play football again.
The tournament was held on Sunday with teams from Colombia, the USA, and two from England competing – Both English teams made the final and battled out a tight game that ended 1-0.
Carrington highlighted the importance of playing internationally as he said: “When we go to different countries we want to show the benefit of walking football to those with Parkinson’s. And the only way we can survive as a sport is if we go international.”
With the landmark trip to the US, this is just one example of the England team going abroad to demonstrate the power of walking football.
The national team competes at the annual Ray Kennedy Cup which invites national walking football teams from around the world to compete in the tournament, and two years ago the side was invited to Singapore to compete against able-bodied players…
FULL STORY at source: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-county-fa-coach-leads-30953222
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
