Walking Sport is catching on with those over 50

By Wilf Dooley

Slowly but surely, older residents in our community are lacing up their sports shoes and getting back into active sport.

Walking sports are just what they sound like – versions of sports like football, cricket, rugby, or netball that follow the rules of the standard game, but the players walk instead of run. They’re great if you want the fun of the game without the strenuous pace and intense contact.

Aimed primarily at over 50s (younger players are often welcome also), walking sports offer an enjoyable and gentler way to get active, which is perfect if you’re recovering from an injury or illness or if you’re just not as sprightly as you used to be.

They’re a great source of regular exercise, but trust us – it’s no ‘walk in the park’. Keeping pace with your opponents and the stop-start nature means you’ll work up a sweat in no time but feel all the better for it.

Then there are the mental health benefits – we promise walking sports will lift your spirits and put a spring in your step. The walking sports community offers you the opportunity to meet new, like-minded people in a friendly and inclusive setting. From bantering on the pitch to catching up over a coffee, it’s sociable from start to finish.

Venues are springing up across the borough covering a variety of sports, and the Lancashire Cricket Foundation is adding their backing to get Walking Cricket set up at Wythenshawe Forum, Eccles Leisure Centre, in addition to Davyhulme BeActive Leisure Centre (contact kfloyd@lancashirecricket.co.uk for info). Walking Netball can be found at Sale Sports Club.

It is a great opportunity to get back on the court no matter how many years it has been since you last played netball, or even if you have never played before.

Walking Netball has been designed so that anyone can play, irrespective of gender, age (16+), size, and ability, so come down and join us for a ‘Wiggle and Giggle’ session, followed by a cuppa and a chat in our lovely clubhouse bar (contact kaye.graves.mcr@gmail.com for more info).

You can find Walking Rugby at Trafford MV Rugby Club in Sale, where a well-established group plays each Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM and is suitable for men and women. Your contact for further information is wilfdooley@virginmedia.com. Walking football can, of course, be found at numerous locations locally.

All the walking sports groups are very welcoming and are keen to attract new players looking to dip their toes back into active sport or people wanting to add a little bit of competition/activity to their lives.

Novices are very welcome to join in and learn the games, which are all quite easy to pick up. So if you last played a sport in school, that is no barrier to getting back onto the pitch and having a go. We would all love to see you picking up a bat or ball and having a go! Hope to see you soon!!