Step forward for Park Utd as they embrace 'Walking Football'
Normally, 'losing that yard of pace' spells bad news for a player's career. However, the advent of 'Walking Football' has changed all that and last Wednesday the results of a fiveweek training programme with ‘ Age and Opportunity Ireland’ were seen in the flesh with a match at Park Utd’s grounds at Brigown in Mitchelstown.
'Walking Football' is what it says on the can; football (soccer), but where sprinting, running and jogging is all outlawed. There’s also no physical contact allowed. It sounds far-fetched, but it's not and the progressive Park Utd have enthusiastically embraced the concept.
Last week, to celebrate the culmination of a five-week training programme with Age and Opportunity Ireland, the team played a match and were awarded their certificates from the organisation. TheAvondhu met ‘Age and Opportunity Ireland’ representatives, Bill Lewis and Peter McNulty and saw at first hand what this 'new' sport looks like. Speaking with The Avondhu, Park Utd chairman, Sean Keane, was quick to endorse the initiative.
"The lads seem to be really enjoying it. It's a great social and sporting outlet and going from strength to strength”.
Others we met up with included Paudie Fitzgibbon, Anthony Ahern, Paddy O'Donnell, Martin Lane and Tony Murphy. While blistering speed may have deserted many of the participants, skill and football technique certainly hasn't.
Paudie Fitzgibbon said the scheme began in January this year, when he and his old school buddies Tony Murphy and Gary Cotter conceived of it over a cup of coffee.
“It’s been a very good experience and in this short period of time, we have over 20 players in our group. Many of our players turn out on a weekly basis and really enjoy the exercise, banter and camaraderie. It’s been positive for many players for the health benefits, both physically and mentally, with many expressing the joy and fun they get from the game”.
There are weekly training session at the grounds in Brigown and Paudie says the only requirement is to be over 50. Because they have been approached by those older, they soon hope to have 55+, 60+, 65+ and even 70+ age groups playing. It’s important to note that Park United welcome both men and women players and anyone interested in playing should get in contact.
“We believe this is a positive sporting development at the very early stages in Ireland and growth is being encouraged and supported throughout the country through organisations such as Age & Opportunity Ireland, Sport Ireland, Healthy Ireland and the League of Ireland. We think that getting out this success story, that more clubs will get up and going and that friendly challenge games will grow between different localities”.
BLITZ
A Walking Football Blitz will be held at Brigown Park Saturday next week, 20th April in collaboration with League of Ireland (FAI). From 2pm to 6pm teams from Limerick and Cork will be coming to play at Park United’s grounds and all are welcome. Needless to say, excitement is building and the competitive juices are flowing. Hopefully, there won't be any ‘walkovers’!
Later in the year, a Walking Football blitz will be held in Cork city on May 15th and the local team from Park Utd aim to be involved.
THINKING OF JOINING?
The only requirement to join Park Utd's ' Walking Football' sessions is to be over 50 - after that, you're ready to be introduced to another variation of the beautiful game. So, what are you waiting for - contact any committee member?