With the Women’s Euros in full swing, Age UK Salford is calling on locals to join its walking football group, open to everyone aged 50 and over.
Football is the country’s national game, beloved of millions, and the walking version is a fun, friendly and safe way of engaging in physical activity in later life. It’s open to everyone, whether you’ve played football before or not, and Foundation 92 & Age UK Salford’s group aims to bring older people together to play in a fun and relaxed environment. It’s great for the mind as well as the body and it’s a sociable sport, giving everyone involved the chance to make new friends and enjoy being part of a team.
This local group is part of the Age UK Walking Football Programme, supported by The Football Association and Sport England, to help older people in communities like Salford to keep active and to improve physical and mental wellbeing, whilst also helping to tackle loneliness and isolation.
Foundation 92 & Age UK Salford’s walking football sessions are held on Tuesdays 5-6pm at The Deans Primary and Thursdays 5-6pm at Albert Park, delivered by UEFA and FA qualified coaches. The sessions are open to anyone over the age of 50 regardless of ability or previous experience. All groups and sessions are COVID-secure and delivered in accordance with FA guidelines.
Tom Hutton, Head of Foundation 92 said: “With all the excitement around the Women’s Euros, we’re hoping it will inspire the older people of Salford to join our walking football group. Over the pat few months we have created quite a lot of information with our Walking football sessions with many regulars coming down every week to join in, as well as taking part in a European Walking Football tournament in The Netherlands. It’s fantastic to see the sessions bringing smiles to face, week in week out.”
James Kendall, Director of Football Development at The FA, said: “Walking football is increasing in popularity and it’s brilliant that these sessions are providing opportunities for players of all abilities to take part in what is a fun and inclusive activity, that improves health and social engagement. We hope the excitement of hosting the Women’s Euros in England will encourage even more people to head down to their local session and give it a go as it’s a great way to socialise, make new friends and keep active at the same time.”
To sign up to Foundation 92 & Age UK Salford’s walking football group, or for more information, please contact [email protected]