Tournament win a walk in football park for Treharris
MORE than 100 people from across South Wales took part in a walking football tournament held in Treforest.
Teams from host club Pontypridd, Neath, Abercynon, Abercwmboi, Swansea and Merthyr all took part in the competition at the University of Wales sports ground.
But it was Merthyr Town Treharris Walking Team who were crowned Welsh champions after defeating Neath in a dramatic final which was decided in a penalty shoot-out.
With the score 1-1 at the final whistle and the game to be decided on penalties, Treharris celebrated after a Neath spot-kick was disallowed because of a rule infringement.
The winning Treharris side will now represent Wales at the Walking Football United Home Internationals in Scotland in November.
Although host club Pontypridd failed to get through the group stages, they were delighted by the number of teams who competed.
A club spokesman said: “I was disappointed that we didn’t make it through the group stage but it was a good experience and we enjoyed taking part.”
Walking football began at Ynysyngharad Park, Pontypridd, more than two years ago under the umbrella of the Game on Wales initiative with only a handful of people turning up at the first session.
When Game on Wales ended its funding of the project, the walking footballers were determined to continue and are now based at the Hawthorn Leisure Centre where there about 20 members.
A spokesman said: “We had brilliant support from Game on Wales for which we will always be grateful.”
Game on Wales programme manager Ryan Jones said: “We are delighted to have supported this event. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all the walking footballers and supporters who helped make it such a success.”