Mandurah City Football Club are leading the way in a fresh take on the game that aims to make the sport more accessible to the broader community.
The club’s walking football team, known as The Oldolphins, made history when they competed in the inaugural Smarter than Smoking Walking Football Carnival organised by Football West across the weekend.
Mandurah players versus teams from Quinns, Perth and Wanneroo in the walking football competition.
With a team consisting of three generations of the Mann family and ages ranging up to 74 years the Mandurah representatives managed to secure third after two draws, one win and a loss to eventual winners Quinns.
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Following six years of experimentation and refinement and the recent advent of leagues in the United Kingdom, Football West is now working with clubs and initiatives to make the game enjoyable and accessible to a wider section of the community.
Mandurah City jumped on board with a demonstration event to introduce the club’s over 50s players to the game.
Most of those retired members had played since childhood but missed the social aspects involved in participating.
The new form of the game aims to increase inclusion and participation levels and is recruiting people seeking a social and active lifestyle, retaining players considering hanging up their boots and adding to health and wellbeing of the community.
Older people with reduced mobility and fitness are especially encouraged to try it out and see if it is a good fit for them.
The team plays weekly during the summer at Securitas Protect Stadium along Peelwood Reserve on Friday, with a kick-off at 7pm.
No fee is charged to play.
Call club secretary and walking football manager Call Di Eldridge on 0411 041 553 for more information.