SHCFA NEW Over 50's Walking Football Leagues
Walking Football has become increasingly popular. ‘It’s exactly what it sounds like – a standard game of football where players walk instead of run.’ It’s designed to help people get fit or maintain an active lifestyle no matter what their age and fitness, as well as support people getting back into football if they have given it up due to age or injury.
Older people who play have seen many benefits: lower heart rate and blood pressure, less fat and more muscle, and better mobility. And it’s not just health benefits - Walking football also offers social benefits. Participants can meet new people, avoid becoming isolated, and interact with individuals and small groups.
This is one sporting activity that is suitable for all.
Over the last six months, in partnership with a number of key partners, Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA have supported the establishment of a number of Walking Football sessions across the County. The level of engagement has been unprecedented and the feedback from participants is that ‘they want more’!
This has led to Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA making the decision that a Walking Football League will be formed within South Yorkshire. The new League will be piloted between January and July 2016 and teams will have the opportunity to play in a Wednesday afternoon or Saturday morning League. Fixtures will be played every four weeks at central venues across the County. For further information, please see the attached League Entry form.
Who is this for?
Teams will play a number of 20 minute fixtures on each game day (fixtures will be finalised once League entry numbers are confirmed). All fixtures will be played as 5 a side and teams can name a squad of up to 8 players on any match day using roll on roll of substitutes. All players must be aged 50 or over and mixed gender teams are allowed to participate.
We are encouraging existing Walking Football session providers to submit teams as well as groups who are new to the game and would like to give it a go. Over 900 clubs currently affiliate to Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA, with over 2,600 teams playing within these clubs. In recent months we’ve seen great examples of clubs establishing Walking Football teams and sessions for ex-players, club volunteers, family members and friends, and in turn, provide that lifelong opportunity for participation in the beautiful game. It would be great to see even more clubs within the County follow this trend.
We understand that for some clubs, organisation or community groups, forming a team may be a step too far at this stage. If you would prefer to simply establish a recreational Walking Football session or a regular training session for your Walking Football team and would like further support on how to go about doing this, please contact Mark Wozniak (details below) who will be able to support you through this process – please note that in certain circumstances small ‘kick start’ grants may be available from Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA to help get this activity up and running.
Once the initial six month league season has taken place, Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA will consult with team secretaries, participants, facility providers and others to understand the best structure for this competition moving forwards. As mentioned above, Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA will continue to support Walking Football sessions and the establishment of new sessions; this League has been formed on the back of requests from participants looking for an opportunity for competition alongside the recreational element.
Cost
Upon entry into the League, all teams must pay a £10 League entry fee. This fee will provide you with public liability insurance and cover your team’s affiliation to Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA. Each fixture will cost teams £15 and that payment will be made on the day to the facility provider or Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA staff member. That fee will cover facility hire and payment to referees.