Anyone who remembers Helen Shapiro’s hit from fifty-three years ago qualifies to take part in the latest fitness craze sweeping the UK, and about to be introduced to the Algarve.
Walking Football, a slow-paced version of the beautiful game aimed at the over 50s, will be launched in Olhão in September.
Walking Football is designed to help people keep an active lifestyle despite their age, as well as getting those back playing football who had to stop due to injuries.
As the name suggests, Walking Football is non-contact and anyone that sprints, runs or jogs while the ball is in play will be penalised with a free-kick.
Chris Wright, a mere teenager back in 1961 and now co-ordinator of the Olhanense Expat Supporters Group takes up the story, “a few months ago I was at a party where the youngsters challenged the adults to a game of five-a-side football. Bounce a football anywhere near me and I’m there! After ten minutes I was in agony having pulled or sprained most muscles in my body - even some I did not know I had!”.
Chris enjoyed the interaction and felt there was some merit in playing the game at walking pace.
An internet search showed that Walking Football was becoming so popular in the UK that BBC television featured it in one of their news programmes. Sixteen ’mature gentlemen’ have signed-up to the new initiative which will commence in mid-September.
The benefits for this older age group are tremendous with improvement in the cardiovascular fitness, joint mobility, co-ordination and proprioception.
Thanks to the support of SC Olhanense, the Walking Football group will be using the new 'third generation' Astroturf five-a-side pitch adjoining the stadium in Olhão. The rubberised surface is far gentler on the knees and the lower body in general than older types of artificial surfaces.
If you are interested in participating contact Chris Wright via email Christopher.wright@hotmail.co.uk or phone (00351) 916 504 903.
To access the BBC TV News item go to: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18380173.
