Walking football in the West Country
Inclusive Sport and Fitness
Feb 2016
It’s been a while, shockingly two years ago, since I last spoke to Nick Dewfall about Walking Football. His company, Inclusive Sport and Fitness, has gone from strength to strength since then. This is thanks in no small part to the growth of Walking Football in the Bath/Bristol area.
This version of football allows more people to enjoy the game for longer. The rules are the same as football but with two simple changes, no slide tackles and most importantly no running! Despite the tweak in the rules games can still be close and it allows men and women to play together.
Nick now has a team to help him run 5 sessions in the weekdays. Angelo Ruiz manages two sessions a week to allow Nick to get out to more venues. This allows as many people as possible the chance to play with lots of different times and venues available:
Monday: Odd Down 9.45am – This is on the new 3G pitch installed up on Odd Down playing fields so bring those plastic studs.
Wednesday: Twerton Park 2.45 – Starting at the end of February Walking Football comes to the home of (Bath) Football
Thursday: Welton Rovers 12 noon – Again on grass of a proud non league club with Angelo Ruiz leading the session
Friday: Odd Down 10am – Back on the 3G with Ruiz for another session in Bath
Friday: GFA Almondsbury 12.30 – Nick runs this session on the 3G
Friday: Sir Bernard Lovell school at Oldland Common 7.45pm – Due to work commitments the players run this session themselves after it was set up by Inclusive Sport & Fitness.
On the 20th February there will be a short demonstration of Walking Football at half time at Twerton Park. Bath City host St Albans in the Conference South for their annual community day. The game is pay what you want on the gate and Nick and his team will be there to spread the word about Walking Football.
Keynsham also boast a Walking Football Club with sessions at the club every Friday. Like their Facebook page to find out more!
So there are plenty of sessions available to pull on the boots once again and play amongst friends. Typically Walking Football is for men or women over 45 or unable to play football, but Inclusive Sport & Fitness is open to all ages, so make sure you come along to one of these sessions and get involved. It’s a great way to keep fit and make new friends.
You can keep up to date with the activities of Inclusive Sport & Fitness on their Facebook page and Twitter account.
