The Northern Ireland Over-60’s male walking football team hosted their first competitive games in Northern Ireland on Saturday at Avoneil Sports Complex, Belfast.
A five team round-robin tournament including England Over 65’s, a Northern Ireland Over 60’s B Team and 2 teams from England representing Parkinsons UK enjoyed a competitive and enjoyable event in the cold conditions.
The Northern Ireland Over 60’s A team that was formed earlier this year, won the event with 10 points after their 4 games.
The Over-60’s are now off to an unbeaten start to competitive football on home soil with 3 wins and a draw.
Gary Barclay, Northern Ireland team manager was pleased with the performance: “We’ve enjoyed trips to Birmingham and Dublin so it was great to host competitive games at home. We played well and it was a great start as we look to enter international competitions in the coming years.”
The key aims of walking football are to encourage staying fit, socialising and remaining in the game of football. It is open to males and females over 50 years and clubs across Northern Ireland offer weekly participation opportunities with competitive and representative pathways, if desired.
Anyone interested can get involved via a number of centres for walking football across Northern Ireland. To attend a local club session, please contact Northern Ireland Walking Football Federation Secretary, David Lemon at squeezy.lemon@btinternet.com.
