Old Meadonians Launch Walking Football in Chiswick

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Aimed at ex-players over 50 who still enjoy playing 

As part of a drive to diversify their football offering Old Meadonians FC have recently launched a new walking football team aimed at ex-players over 50. 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to still enjoy playing football but without the strain on your body at an older age? Say hello to walking football! Whether you’re in your 50s or 60s, there is no reason why you can't play this sport. It provides a low-impact exercise which keeps players active and gets that competitive vibe back from when they were younger. This game contains all of the tactics and techniques found in normal football such as passing and shooting, however the only difference being that the pace of movement is significantly reduced creating a non physical environment for players. Not only does walking football benefit those physically but also mentally having proven benefits and is currently growing rapidly in popularity amongst men over 50's.

Chairman of Old Meadonians Ed Glover said “It’s great to finally get this initiative off the ground as we’ve been talking about it for six months. I played in our first training session and it took a while to get used to but the game is much faster than you think and you get a decent workout”

They have their first match vs Brentford Emperor Penguins on Wednesday 12th April, 6PM KO at Kings House School Sports Ground, Riverside Drive, W4. The school has been very generous and offered a reduced training rate for the first three months to help get the initiative off the ground. Nick Clark Enterprises Manager from Kings House said “We were delighted to help when Old Meadoninas asked us to support this initiative and hopefully it draws some former players back to the game and helps improve their overall physical and mental well being”

There are large number of benefits from playing walking football and Simon Williams who is heading up the initiative added “I’ve been playing walking football for over 6 years, absolutely brilliant huge benefits both physically and mentally, whilst not forgetting the pure joy of playing football again in a team environment ”

Walking Football is an exciting way to maintain an active lifestyle while enjoying some of the competitive elements of the game. Designed to get moving and engaged in the sport, this version of football can help improve strength, mobility, and balance over time. Whether you’re looking to hone your skills in order to compete at a higher level or simply wanting to have fun while meeting new people, Walking Football can be a great fix! With all the movement players can keep their heart rates up while still getting an enjoyable workout. 

Walking Football is a great way to manage stress and anxiety in a fun, low-intensity way. With no contact with other players, this sport helps let off steam in a non-confrontational setting – making it ideal for those looking to manage their stress and anxiety levels in a relaxed environment. Not only does Walking Football provide an outlet for stress management, but it also comes with the friendly support of players looking to learn new skills and maintain their fitness levels. 

To keep yourself playing Walking Football for years to come, it’s important to take the right precautionary steps. From drinking lots of water before, during, and after your session, to ensure you do a set of warm-up exercises before jumping into the game. In addition to this, be mindful of contact when attempting to tackle another player; it’s all about timing! If you manage yourself appropriately on the pitch–you could be walking footballing for years. Have fun and stay safe!

In summary:

• Walking Football is an exciting way to stay involved and reap the competitive benefits of the game.
• It can improve strength, mobility, and balance, as well as help manage stress and anxiety levels.
• With physical, mental, and safety benefits, walking football is a great way to stay active.

If you're interested in playing please get in touch, we'd love to hear from you! 

Please contact Simon Williams - simon@omfc.co.uk for further details.

April 1, 2023