A SQUAD of Myall Coast seniors took the field on Saturday 10 May to test out “Walking Football”, a low-impact, contact-free version of the globally-loved game.
Hosted by the Tea Gardens Soccer Club and Northern NSW Football (NNSWF), the “Come and Try” day was held at Tea Gardens’ Memorial Park.
Despite heavy, intermittent rains throughout the week, players were met with blue skies for the midday kick off.
Fourteen participants played a seven-a-side exhibition game on a custom field, appearing to have an inordinate amount of fun sloshing around on the soggy pitch.
As its name suggests, running is not allowed in Walking Football, with participants required to always keep one foot on the ground.
The ball also cannot be kicked above head height and there is no heading of the ball.
Northern NSW Football’s Serena Carter served as guest referee on the day.
“Walking soccer is aimed at the 50-plus community members, as an avenue to be more active and social, via a low-impact, non-contact version of the sport,” Serena told NOTA.
“I love soccer, and love to see this program run well – Tea Gardens is currently the only other place in the NNSWF region where it is running right now, the other is at Speers Point near Newcastle.”
The senior footballers seemed to quickly find their dormant muscle-memories, and, although some grew zealous on the pitch, Serena had no need to bring out her yellow and red cards.
After a quality second half which saw goals being scored from the halfway line, the match ended in a remarkable 4-4 draw.
“We had a slippery pitch today, but an excellent turnout,” Tea Gardens Soccer Club’s Shayne Reynolds said.
“I am looking forward to the program, it’s going to go gangbusters.”
The club is aiming to run fortnightly games, starting on Saturday, 31 May.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
