It's all about fun, friendship, and fitness

Wednesday 15 May 2024

The banter was flowing as the Guernsey Walking Football coaches put a number of newbies through a training session alongside regular players as part of 'wellness Wednesday' during Mental Health Awareness Week.

The sport is one of the many activities highlighted this week as part of wider efforts to encourage us all to "move more for our mental health".

That's the key theme of Mental Health Awareness Week for 2024 - which has seen Guernsey Mind, the Sports Commission, the Health Improvement Commission and Bailiwick Social Prescribing working together to highlight ways we can be active even.

Pictured: This week's schedule of events for Mental Health Awareness Week.

Walking Football first came to Guernsey around a decade ago, with increasing numbers of players taking it up.

You don't need to have played football before to take up walking football, with some regular players having never kicked a ball before joining their first training session.

"It's what it says on the tin really so it is football, but with the walking it's a slower version of proper football, 11-a-side football or seven-a-side," explained Trevor Crittell.

The club treasurer said there are players of all ages from under 50 into their 80s. They've all got different levels of previous experience he said - with one regular female player first taking part at 86 years old.

Mr Crittell said other players have dementia, Parkinson's, or other conditions too. Everyone is welcome with different abilities catered for. 

"Here today we've got a lady who never kicked a football before, she's in her 80s. We've got a chap who comes to our regular sessions, he's in his 80s. He'd never played football, I believe he was a hockey player, but he never played football before. He loves it. He comes twice a week, and it's doing him good. It's doing all of us good." 

One of the main rules for everyone taking part is that they must walk - with running considered a foul during matches.

"...the definition of walking is only in your own mind," said Mr Crittell. "The difference between walking and running can be open to question, but realistically it's walking, not running."

Pictured: 86-year-old Mary training with Guernsey Football Club.

Paul Rogers has been part of Guernsey Walking Football Club for four years.

He had played "proper football" until he was 63, before switching to walking football. He had a brief break from the sport earlier this year after a period of ill-health but is now back at it.

"There is no speed, but actually, in terms of the amount of exercise or effort you have to put into it, it is quite significant," he said.

"I know from my heart rate, it gets up to 137 when I'm playing a game, which is vigorous, so it's good exercise for you from that point of view."

Both he and his wife play, and both agree that the social aspect of the sport is one of its main benefits. 

"We both play and the social side of it is amazing. It's fun, friendship, and fitness," said Mr Rogers. 

"It sounds a bit coy, but it's true. All of those three things - fun, friendship, and fitness - are key. I was made so welcome when I came the first time, and you can feel very vulnerable when you come the first time. If anybody's thinking about it, don't feel vulnerable, just come down and we'll make you make you feel at home. That was a big thing for me.

"I've found that I look forward to it, and if you look forward to something and it's exercise, that's got to be the best thing."

One of the coaches at Guernsey Walking Football Club is Birmingham native, and long time Guernsey resident, John Casey - known as JC. 

With four sessions a week - including training sessions, and a friendly game - he said the sport keeps him busy, and fit. 

"There's always a group of people down here getting involved, different skills, different abilities, everyone getting involved together, that's the key," he said.

"On the Wednesday, we split the pitch into two. The top pitch is for people who have severe health problems with their balance and what have you. They will be sorted out more or less on a one-to-one basis and on the bottom part of the pitch, I did different drills so it builds a team effort. And then towards the end of the session, we have a game."

JC is responsible for most of the banter on the pitch he said.

"I think being a Brummie it's part of my humour. I don't take anybody too seriously. You can see if somebody's down in the dumps. I go over to them, give them a wind-up, all around things like 'get the ball, she's no better than you, you got him beating you but you're a lot better' and then you get them going again. And that's part of it."

He said everyone leaves the training sessions and games with a smile on their face.

Mr Crittell said anyone interested in trying out Walking Football should google 'Guernsey walking football club' and they can come along to a session at the KGV. 

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