By Shane Gibson
A football group with a difference has kicked off near Filton, with a focus on inclusivity and a gentler pace for all abilities.
UWE Walking Football is a venture led by George Young (MSc).
As a sport rehabilitator, she has seen how walking football can change lives, including living with physical and cognitive limitations.
The group got off to a great start on April 28 with an open day that took place under glorious sunshine.
Speaking about the group, George said: “We started introducing walking football as part of my lectures here at the university as part of sports rehabilitation.
“Its appeal to me was that it is an inclusive sport. I also saw the benefits that it could have for my students, as students who get involved in community activity, care about the community more.”
The group is open to anyone over the age of 18, but they are primarily looking to encourage people with long term conditions or are living with an impairment that restricts their ability to join traditional groups.
Being held at the Centre for Sport, car parking is available, and the group itself can manage 45 people at a time with the facilities to expand if needed.
“This is open and inclusive for everybody. It does not matter if you have played football before or never in your life, come along and join in and we will help you out.” Said George.
Stuart Langworthy BEM, England manager for the over 60s World Cup winning team, was the special guest for the day.
Speaking to the Filtonvoice, Mr Langworthy said: “I got involved in walking football originally, 10 years ago after a hip replacement.
“I could not play 11-a-side after that and then I heard about walking football.
“I tried it once and I was hooked. I have been playing ever since.
“During Covid, I was extremely fortunate to be asked to take part in a project for the ‘We are Undefeatable’ campaign called Virtual Walking Football.
“One of the participants had Parkinson’s. He sent me a video of himself in his back garden with a walking stick, he could hardly walk, he was shuffling very,very badly.
“But he had a football in his garden. When he got to the football, he threw the stick away and suddenly he could run, twist, and turn. I called him up and said to him, you must be taking the mick, that does not happen. He said it does happen; it happens to him and that when he gets a ball to his feet, he feels normal.”
Stewart explained that this led him on a mission to get clubs across the country to offer people suffering long term conditions walking football sessions.
Stewart said that he felt that the new group in Filton would benefit from the multiple pitches.
He added: “And what’s most important at the end of it is to have a cup of tea and coffee and a chat afterwards because the mental health side of this is just as important as the physical health side.”
UWE Walking Football takes place every Monday, 10.30am – 12pm at the Centre for Sport in Frenchay.
Email info.walkingfootball@uwe.ac.uk or go to the UWE Walking Football Facebook page for more information.