Local youth soccer club, Richmond United FC, in a bid to expand its community footprint, began a pilot program for seniors walking soccer in April, in partnership with the Richmond Seniors Centre, and the City of Richmond.
The aim of the program was to get seniors out in the sunshine, engaging in a form of soccer that is low impact, low risk, but still competitive fun.
The rules of walking soccer are simple; five-a-side teams, no hard tackling, no balls kicked above wasit height, and most important of all – no running.
The first session was well attended, with a combination of experienced players looking for a midly competitive outlet, and completely inexperienced seniors learning how to kick a ball for the first time.
RUFC employee Chris Parry said of the program, “We’re looking to be a club that has more of a footprint than just kids and teenagers, so this is the start of something we’re committed to, a program that keeps folks engaged in soccer regardless of their age.”
“Seeing grandmas come out and kick a ball for the first time has been a lot of fun,” he says, “and the mix of ages, genders, and experience levels has been really interesting. We’ll probably explore evening programs in June, because we’re hearing that a more competitive program would draw people who may not be retired just yet and may not be available during the day, while the daytime sessions suit retirees who are already walking the track at Minoru.”
Reporter