People across the Black Country are being encouraged to lace up their football boots and have a go at walking football thanks to new sessions in Wolverhampton.

Walking football is aimed at older people who want to continue playing the 'Beautiful Game' but feel they cannot play traditional football. The fun, informal game is taking Wolverhampton by storm and is designed to encourage people to get active while improving their health at the same time.

The free sessions take place at WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams, Nettlefolds Way, Bilston, on Mondays from 4pm to 5pm and the City of Wolverhampton College's Wellington Road, Bilston, campus on Mondays from 6pm to 7pm.

The sessions have been organised by Black Country in Motion, a Sport England project challenging the barriers that people have to participating in sport and physical activity, and men and women of all ages and abilities are welcome.

Rachel Smith of Black Country in Motion said: "These are fantastic sessions that have been made possible through Wolves Community Trust to celebrate the rapidly growing sport of walking football.

"We welcome participants both old and new, there are no barriers to getting involved and you don't already need to be part of a team. It's easy to start having fun."

Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Walking football is an excellent way for people to continue enjoying football as they get older, and to maintain their health and fitness levels at the same time."

Developed by the Black Country BeActive Partnership, the Black Country in Motion programme is a pilot Sport England funded 3 year project which challenges the barriers that people aged 14 and over across the Black Country have to participating in sport and physical activity.

For more details about the walking football sessions, please contact Rachel Smith on 07532 411166 or via rachelsmith@blackcountryinmotion.org.uk or Ben Thompson on 07833 051048 or via benthompson@blackcountryinmotion.org.uk

  • released: Wednesday 8 June, 2016