Join in the World Cup fun and get a kick out of Age UK Norwich’s walking football group

With the Womens Football World underway Age UK Norwich is calling on the locals of Lakenham and West Earlham to join its walking football group, which is open to everyone aged 50 and over.

Football is the country’s national game, beloved of millions, and the walking version is a fun, friendly and safe way of engaging in physical activity in later life. It's open to everyone, whether you've played football before or not, and Age UK Norwich’s group aims to bring older people together to play in a fun and relaxed environment. It's great for the mind as well as the body and it’s a sociable sport, giving everyone involved the chance to make new friends and enjoy being part of a team.

This local group is part of the Age UK Walking Football Programme, supported by The Football Association and Sport England, to help older people in communities like West Earlham and Lakenham to keep active and to improve physical and mental wellbeing, whilst also helping to tackle loneliness and isolation. A survey of Age UK’s Walking Football Programme participants shows just how much of an impact the game has on their health and wellbeing, with eight out of ten respondents feeling that the game has improved their physical health, and three quarters of respondents feeling it’s improved their mental health.

Actress Denise Welch visited an Age UK walking football group last year. She said: “I loved visiting Age UK’s Walking Football Programme and getting stuck in at their session! It was fantastic meeting others who are proving that we can play football whatever our age and whatever our ability – and have a laugh at the same time! It’s been such an inspiring time for football since the Lionesses’ Euros win last year, and with the World Cup coming up it’s even more of a reason to come and give walking football a go!” 

Age UK Norwich’s walking football sessions are held on Wednesdays from 12:30 till 13:30 at GOALS on the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday of the month and at the UEA Sportspark on the 2^nd and 4^th Wednesday of the month. The sessions last an hour long and consist of a few warm-up games and then the group is split into teams to enjoy a game of Walking Football. The session is run by Joe McGuire who is Age UK Norwich’s Walking Football Champion and supervises all the sessions. The sessions are open to anyone over the age of 50 regardless of ability or previous experience.

Jamie Price, Head of Operations at Age UK Norwich said: “With all the excitement around the Women’s World Cup, we’re hoping it will inspire the older people of West Earlham and Lakenham to join our walking football group. The players love the sessions as this gets them active and talking to new people. We average around 10/12 players each week which creates a fun, competitive game. After the session, all the players go to the café to enjoy a cuppa and have a chat!”.

To sign up to Age UK Norwich’s walking football group, or for more information, please contact the Activities Team at 01603 496333 or acitivities@ageuknorwich.org.uk

We are also looking for volunteers to support with its walking football sessions. If you have any free time to help, then please contact Fiona Eaton at volunteering@ageuknorwich.org.uk.