Walking sports soaring success across the borough

Walking sports sessions which launched over the summer have become very successful with another beginning this October due to popular demand.

Every Monday from 24 October, more residents can get active in a gentler way, enjoying the sport they love, as a new evening walking football session begins.

Running from 8pm until 9pm each week, the sessions will take place at Arrow Vale High School’s 3G pitch (Matchborough Way, Matchborough, B98 0GF).

This is the first evening session organised by Redditch Borough Council and comes after the success of other walking sport sessions which launched over the summer, including walking football, women’s walking football and walking touch rugby.

All of the sessions are completely free to take part in, residents just need to register on arrival. With reduced physical contact and tackling the sessions are perfect for people who have been out of the game for a while and want to make a comeback.

Walking sports offer many health benefits as well as being great fun for any age, ability, fitness level or gender. With no running, jogging, or heading – and tackling with reduced physical contact – walking sports are a fun and safe way for players to enjoy the games they love and socialise together.

The Council’s Portfolio-holder for Leisure, Cllr Jo Beecham, said: “When our team launched the other sessions, we were repeatedly told by people who were interested that they couldn’t make it due to work or family commitments but would love an evening session. Well, we listened and made it happen! I hope we see lots of people attending the new session because where there is a will, there is always another way to play!”

Leader of the Council, Cllr Matt Dormer, added: “We are committed to getting Redditch active and opportunities for exercise should be available for everyone. We listened to what you wanted and have put that into action. Walking sports are proven to have lots of physical benefits as well as helping to improve mental health and well-being – it’s also a great way to meet like-minded people.”

Available sessions include Mondays Women’s Walking Football at 9.15am, Walking Football for all at 10.30am and Fridays Walking Touch Rugby at 10.30am at the Abbey Stadium outdoor pitch and the newest session as above, evening walking football at Arrow Vale 3G Pitch.

These free sessions have been funded by Versus Arthritis through the council’s Sports Development Team.

If you would like to know more about the sessions visit our pages here