Walking football for people with Parkinson’s disease is proving a winning fixture at Bolton Arena Community Sports Village.
Eleven regulars are attending the free, weekly 60-minute session funded by Parkinson’s UK and organised in conjunction with Bolton NHS – which is being hailed as a ‘game-changer’ for some of those taking part.
One of the players, 78-year-old Gerry Barker from Sharples, Bolton, says: “Every session gives me something to look forward to. The movement helps me stay flexible and balanced. The camaraderie lifts my spirits more than I can say.
“There’s a real sense of belonging on the pitch, no judgement, just encouragement and shared joy. Walking football is brilliant. I leave each session feeling grateful for the friends and fitness it has brought me.”
His wife, Julie, adds: “Walking football has been an absolute game-changer for my husband. Living with Parkinson’s, and any other neurological problems, can make it hard to stay active and social, but this sport has given him both back in a way I never expected.
“It’s designed perfectly for people like Gerry, slower paced, safe and inclusive, yet still full of fun, laughter and teamwork.”
Parkinson’s is a progressive disease in which parts of the brain become damaged over many years.
The main symptoms are an involuntary tremor affecting particular parts of the body, slow movement and stiff, inflexible muscles, although those with the condition can also experience a wide range of other physical and psychological symptoms, including an increased risk of falling, depression and anxiety.
Organised by the arena’s football manager, Marcus Brown, the sessions feature a quick meet and greet, a warm up, small-sided match, along with shooting and passing practice.
“It’s just like any other walking football session we hold, but it’s amazing to see the difference between the players before and during the session,” says Marcus.
“When you see the footballers walking from the reception area to the outdoor pitches, they kind of shuffle along. It takes quite a long time, but when they’re actually playing on the pitch it’s like they’re a different person. The exercise supresses the Parkinson’s, which is so great to see.”
Marcus was inspired to start the session after speaking to his former boss and mentor at the old Burnden Park Leisure Centre, a former army PT instructor, who was diagnosed with the disease in his late 60s after a lifetime’s love of sport and physical activity that included boxing, running and football.
“I thought, we have a walking football programme, but what more can we do?” explains Marcus. “So, I got in touch with Bolton NHS, and we introduced the session through their database.”
The current players are all former amateur footballers, aged between 46 and 78, but Marcus is keen to stress the session is open to anyone with the disease – men or women – regardless of age or whether they’ve played football before.
He says: “Walking football eliminates speed and is a non-contact sport, so it doesn’t matter whether or not you’ve played football in the past. It’s open to everybody, it’s really inclusive and sociable. It can be a new sport for those who haven’t played football before.”
Wayne Jenkins, aged 64 from Horwich, Bolton, another regular at the sessions, agrees: “The Parkinson’s walking football gives us safe opportunities to exercise, keep active and certainly helps with balance. On the social front, it allows us to meet new people with the same diagnosis and helps with feelings of isolation. I really enjoy the sessions – I just wish more people would be involved.”
Now the hope is more players will take heed of Wayne and join in the Parkinson’s session in the long-term hope of forming a team to play against others from nearby schemes in Blackburn and Liverpool.
Stuart Kay, the Arena’s Head of Sports and Communities, says: “There are some longer established groups nationwide and there is a Parkinson’s England six-a-side team.
“We hope to organise a tournament at some time in the future and there is talk of a league programme. We’re not quite there yet, but we will be.”
The walking football programme at Bolton Arena Community Sports Village is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. It offers social football for men and women and some mixed sessions, along with friendly matches against other walking football teams, while for those wanting to play more competitively, there are leagues and tournaments.
For more details about walking football, particularly joining the Parkinson’s session, contact: contact 01204 488106 or email [email protected]
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