A walking football club has been launched in Basingstoke for people with Parkinson’s, to encourage them to exercise and connect.
On September 3, Basingstoke Soccer Centre was filled with people living with Parkinson’s, as they gathered to play in the first walking football match to raise money for Parkinson’s UK.
Following a taster session in July, a weekly match has been set up at Basingstoke Soccer Centre on Wednesdays at 3pm.
Keith Murray, co-ordinator, said: “This is about offering something to the people in the community with Parkinson’s.
“The importance for me is not just the football side of it, it’s about fun, a little bit of exercise and the socialisation afterwards.”
Keith, from Kempshott, was inspired after attending a walking football session at the Sports Centre and decided in October 2024 that he wanted to set one up for people with Parkinson’s.
Basingstoke Soccer Centre
Attendees of the session included Gary Shaughnessy, chairman of Parkinson’s UK, Annie Booth, the organiser of women only walking football group Parkinson’s Pioneers, and Joe Gregory from the England Parkinson’s walking football team.
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Joe Gregory said: “I have been playing Parkinson’s walking football for about four years now.
“It’s about having fun, it’s a kickabout, it doesn’t matter about the score, it’s about the social side of getting together, not just for the ones that are playing but their partners and the community.”
Annie Booth, from Manchester, is encouraging more women to play walking football and runs a club in Solihull. She is also starting the England women’s Parkinson’s walking football team.
Keith said: “Parkinson’s is such a widespread disease, it has a different range of effects.
“There are so many things associated with Parkinson’s that people don’t know about, it affects sleep, stomach, eyes, joints and muscles if you don’t exercise.
“This is all about the stability of movement, exercise, fresh air, having fun and socialisation.”
Basingstoke Soccer Centre – More Info
To join the football club, contact Leigh-Beth Stroud at lstroud@parkinsons.org.uk or 07955267385
MORE PHOTOS at source: https://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/news/25440866.basingstoke-walking-football-people-parkinsons
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