1:21pm, Wed 17th Jul 2013
Woking FC will play Age UK Surrey 50 plus team in a free charity match at Surrey Sports Park this Friday 19th July 2013
A new craze is sweeping the county – Walking Football; a slower version of the five aside game where running or even a light jog will cost a free kick. On 19 July at Surrey Sport Park in Guildford, people can go along and watch a charity match when Age UK Surrey’s 50 plus team take on professionals from Woking FC. Start time is 3.00-4.30pm, entry is free.
John Nutter, first team left back with Woking FC has signed up to play and the outcome may be a surprise. ‘Slowing the game down isn’t as easy as it sounds’ says Jane Spong of Woking FC. ‘Walking Football uses calf muscles that regular footballers aren’t used to. It is also hard to adapt to walking when footballers instinct is to chase the ball’.
You can also sponsor the Age UK Surrey team at
www.justgiving.com/ageuksurrey. Money raised will go towards the charities work, helping older people in Surrey live independently for longer.
Age UK Surrey identified that the majority of fitness activities aimed at older people are largely attended by women. Walking Football not only provides an exercise that appeals to the older gentleman, but also incorporates the camaraderie and social element that many of the players experienced in their earlier years. Barry 62, said ‘I have attended matches since I was a child and I need to get a bit fitter now so I thought this was a chance to participate instead of spectate. A few weeks ago I could not have imagined being part of a team again’.
The charity and football club are working together to make the training beneficial to the players physical and mental health. Woking FC carried out health checks on the first session which will be followed up at the final training to see how the exercise might have improved the player’s health. They are also being offered social activities such as free tickets to a Woking home game when the football seasons kicks off again.
For more information about the match, to register your interest for future training or for details of Age UK Surrey’s free walks and bike rides for the over 50s, contact Richard Jeffries: richard.jeffries@ageuksurrey.org.uk 01483 446624
