If I was to say to you that something that involved Walking was the fastest growing sport in the U.K, would you be interested?
But it’s true Walking Football is the fastest growing sport in the U.K, latest figures showing that there are an estimated 60,000 players regularly playing for more than 1,200 volunteer run clubs.
Unlike other forms of football, Walking Football is available to all ages, abilities and gender.
When he was diagnosed in 2014, Paul Nicholls shut himself away from everything, “I was just to embarrassed about how I looked, but I discovered Walking Football and the love I have for the game bought me back and gave me the confidence to get out again”
And now Paul has big plans, he has teamed up with Stuart Langworthy (England O60’s Walking Football Manager)and fellow PWP John Roche, they are planning the first ever Parkinson’s Walking Football matches, at the Sport Parkinson’s Try-Athlon on 24th July at the Worcester Warriors Sixways ground, “But we want to take this further” says Paul, “and create the first England Parkinson’s Walking Football team, to play other countries and show how exercise and football can really benefit PWP, you’ll be amazed how putting a ball in front of somebody with Pd can really help with their movement, with the added benefits of being part of a team and all the mental well being that can create”
So what can you expect to see on the 24th July? The plan is to have a North UK vs South UK involving four teams two from each, to play in a round robin tournament on the main pitch at Sixways, you’ll be able to see first hand how Walking football differs from the traditional game and how it appeals to everyone, you’ll have the chance to speak to an England Manager about the game too.
If you would like to learn more or get involved on the day you can contact either
Tickets are on sale for The Sport Parkinson’s Summer Try-Athlon now