Walking Football, as the name implies, is a slower version of the beautiful game. It is a new exercise concept, which was launched in Galway by Croi in association with the FAI. It’s a non-contact form of exercise, currently played indoors and supervised by trained staff to ensure that it is safe and enjoyable.
“It’s not what you see in the Premier League, but it’s a very adaptable form of exercise which can be played at any level of skill and is open to men and women of all ages,” said Katie Codyre, who is leading the programme for Croi.
In Mayo, FAI Football Development officer Paul Byrne, in conjunction with the Mayo Sports Partnership, recently completed a workshop on Walking Football. From this, Byrne met with the Castlebar Sports Forum and talks began around the benefits of Walking Football. He was then asked to present a Walking Football workshop to a group of women just outside Castlebar.
The programme took place over for a number of weeks at the back end of 2016, in Castlebar Town Park MUGA Facility. A group of women attended weekly, every Monday morning – all with varying abilities, but predominately all beginners. There was no need to have a knowledge of or experience in football to participate - it was simply a fun way to exercise and get healthy.
For more information on this programme or any other FAI Women’s programmes, email women@fai.ie