This inspiring walking football team refuse to act their age
No running, no offside rule, and plenty of laughs – it’s football like you’ve never seen it before.
Walking football is on the rise – and this is fantastic news. The slow-motion sport allows older people, people with injuries or people who have never played sport before, to get active, socialise and have all the fun.
We met up with a vibrant team who are based in Sutton. The group – who are mostly retired, say that getting back to football has given them a new lease of life and made them realise that they still have so much more to give.
‘When you reach 50, a lot of people think – OK, it’s over for you. But it’s literally just starting again. It’s like a second breath,’ says team leader Greg Dalmar.
‘My heart’s beating after playing just 20 minutes. It gives you a heartbeat again, and that’s so important.
‘One of our key players, Chris Taylor, he died in a skiing accident recently and we were all just devastated. So putting our Sutton shirts back on – it just brings all the emotions back. Whenever we wear these shirts, we are doing it with Chris Taylor in mind. We miss you Chris.’
Robert Lilly has been playing walking football ever since he retired. It says it has given his life direction when he needed it most.
‘It keeps the heart rate going really,’ says Robert.
‘Some of us finish working and we think – what the hell are we going to do with ourselves now? But in walking football I’ve found a purpose for myself and I’ve found a purpose for the guys I play with, and it’s just fantastic.
‘We’re all from different walks of life, some of us were bankers, some of us were architects, some of us were dustmen – where else would you bring such a varied group of people like that together?’
So how do you play it?
The team we filmed with got a little carried away and let themselves break into the occasional jog – but strictly speaking, you have to keep one foot on the ground at all times. Like speed walkers.
Each game is 40 minutes and you can only go for low-impact tackles – so leave your glory slides at the door.
How do you play walking football?
According to the official Walking Football website – there are key rules to follow when you play:
GENERAL:
1. Six players each per side. Five outfield players and a goalkeeper.
2. Each game is 40 minutes long. 20 minutes per half.
3. No running or jogging, with or without the ball.
IN-PLAY:
4. Low impact tackling only. No sliding tackles.
5. No off sides.
6. The ball must not be kicked or defected by any outfield player, or throw (by the goalkeeper) above head height.
7. All free kicks are indirect (i.e players cannot shoot direct at the goal. They must pass instead).
8. Goals can be scored from any outfield position. Goals cannot be scored direct from kick offs, kick ins, drop balls, goalkeeper’s kick, save or throw.
9. Three roll on, roll off substitues permitted per game. Substitutions can be made when there is a break in play, the ball is dead or the goalkeeper has possession of the ball.
10. Referee operates red, yellow and blue card procedures. Blue card indicates a two minute sin bin for a player.
OUTFIELD PLAYERS:
11. Players are not allowed in the penalty area. If player enters in the penalty area deliberately or denies a clear goal scoring opportunity – a penalty is awarded to the attacking team.
12. If a free kick is on the penalty area line, the ball must be moved back two meters..
13. Outfield players are not allowed to hold onto walls (indoor matches) or barriers (outdoor matches) to block or shield the ball.
GOALKEEPER:
14. Goalkeeper must wear shirt or bib that distinguishes from outfield players.
15. Goalkeeper can receive back passes. He may either kick or throw ball back into play. Goalkeeper throws must be under arm.
16. Possession is given back to the goalkeeper if ball travels above head height whilst being deflected or saved by the goalkeeper.
17. Goalkeeper not allowed outside penalty area (except by momentum whilst making a save).
There are now seven professional walking football teams in London alone, just four less than Premier League teams – and popularity is booming.
But it’s actually not a new sport, it was first played in 1932, but it only really gained momentum in early 2014, which is why we are only just discovering how beneficial it can be.
We are in the midst of a loneliness epidemic and retired and older people are the most vulnerable.
Outlets like walking football provide an invaluable source of social connection that can vastly improve quality of life for people who might otherwise become isolated.
‘Walking football has brought people together, but it’s the people themselves that have created such valuable friendships,’ says Rod Noble, Better’s Community Sports Manager who runs weekly sessions.
‘When someone doesn’t show up for a training session, we have everyone asking about them, where they are and if they’re okay. They’ve even got their own WhatsApp group and go on holidays with one another!
‘It definitely opens up a new community among both older men and women. You have people who live down the road from one another who wouldn’t have even said hello, now they’re playing football, chatting for hours every week and seeing each other outside of sessions.’
What are the benefits of walking football?
There are absolutely loads of benefits, from the physical to the psychological and the social.
In older people it can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke and improve blood pressure. You can also see positive changes in postural balance, blood pressure and resting heart rate, lowered cholesterol, improved blood sugar levels, bone density and improved reactions.
According to the national governing body for the sport, studies have shown that walking football can be effective in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension.
There are also many psychological and mental health advantages to playing walking football – people report that they feel high levels of personal reward and satisfaction and reduced stress.
As we get older, many of us struggle with our balance, strength, stamina, weight and worst of all confidence and self-esteem, but walking football has the potential to make a significant impact in all these areas.
It builds body strength, improves muscles, stability and could help you lose some age-related weight. Your emotional health also gets a great boost – people who play regularly have found that their self-esteem goes through the roof.
So we know what we’ll be signing up for the moment we hit retirement age.
Why not encourage your grandparents to give it a go – it could help them improve so much more than just their fitness.
I am Team GB
Toyota has teamed up with Team GB to re-launch the hugely successful participation campaign ‘I am Team GB’.
Inspired by the achievements of Team GB athletes and the amazing efforts of local community heroes, Team GB has created ‘The Nation’s Biggest Sports Day’, which will take place on the 24thAugust.
Over the weekend, there will be hundreds of free and fun activities across the country, put on by an army of volunteers; the ‘I am Team GB Games Makers’.
To Join the Team and be part of The Nation’s Biggest Sports Day sign up at: www.IAmTeamGB.com
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