Foundation | Successful start to Walking Football sessions

The Gloucester City AFC Foundation has recently started Walking Football sessions at St. Oswald’s Retirement Village.

It’s part of our quest to reach out and embrace all members of our local community.

“The sessions are being received well by the residents,” said Susan Morris, who is delivering the weekly courses on behalf of the Foundation. “Both male and female participants of all abilities have taken part and they look forward to each Monday.

“Participation time is flexible, with rolling substitutions and no pressure.

“We’re pleased with the numbers that have taken part so far, but we hope that it will grow as it becomes more established.

“Each session starts with a health and safety chat before three seven-minute games take place with a five-minute hydration/rest break in between each.

“A Person of the Match award is presented at the end of each game, not based on skill, but effort and sportsmanship.”

There are plenty of benefits, but at the heart of it all is fun in a welcoming environment.

“I really enjoy delivering the sessions, the participants are an absolute joy,” Susan Morris continued. “It’s so rewarding to see the benefits that they get, from the social interaction to the gentle exercise alongside like-minded people.

“Most of all they have fun with friendships made and memories shared. They still want to be active in their twilight years and many were keen players when they were younger. There are some who have never played before but have proven to be quick learners.”

Participant, Bob Webb, said: “The sessions are very entertaining. It’s a great start to the week amongst friends and it’s also good exercise, so there are the health benefits too whilst we are enjoying ourselves.

“It really is a win-win situation and I am delighted to be involved.”

The Gloucester City AFC Foundation was established in 2024 with the main objective being to improve lives in Gloucester and the surrounding areas through football.

We now deliver an ever-expanding number of schemes, including Kickabout, which offers fun and inclusive free football sessions for youngsters between the age of four and 11 every Saturday morning on the Sebert Street Rec.

We also run HAF camps during the summer holidays, a Friday evening Drop-In Club at Blackbridge Sports Hub and an After School Club at Kingsholm Primary School every Tuesday, with other plans in the pipeline.

This is all possible with funding from the Gloucester City Supporters Trust and Gloucestershire County Council, to whom we are extremely grateful as it allows us to reach further into our local community and touch the lives of so many different people of all ages and backgrounds.

To find out more about the Gloucester City AFC Foundation, email: gcafcfoundation@gmail.com