Newly elected Chair tries Walking Football @HarlowCouncil

06 Jun Newly elected Chair tries Walking Football @HarlowCouncil

In her first engagement since being elected, the Chair of Harlow Council, Councillor Edna Stevens, visited Paringdon Sports and Social Club to get involved with Walking Football.

The sports club currently holds free Walking Football sessions on its newly installed 3G artificial pitch every Thursday from 1pm-2pm. The sessions are for those who still have a passion for playing the game but can’t play at a fast pace.

The rules of walking football are much the same as its speedier cousin but the squads are smaller, free kicks are indirect, kick-ins replace throws, there are no offsides and the ball must be kept below head height.

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 awarded to the other team. It is also open for both men and women to attend.

The sessions are funded by Harlow Council in partnership with Active Harlow and Active Essex.

Councillor Stevens, who joined a group of keen walking footballers before their match, said: “Walking Football is a great way for people to keep active and continue to enjoy a game of football at a comfortable pace. It was great to meet those who regularly play and we are hoping more will join in and give this a go especially with Euro 2016 coming up.

“It’s so important, especially as you get older, to keep as active as you can and Walking Football is an excellent activity to help people do that.  It is nice to see that that there is a really strong social aspect to the sessions with tea and biscuits being provided after each session.”

If you or someone you know wants to get into Walking Football, please contact Harlow Council’s Sports and Leisure Policy and Development Officer Chris Purvis on 01279 446435.