Another exciting, but close, Walking Football competition draws to an end in dramatic scenes. On this occasion the title was wrenched from the grip of the current holders (and serial winners) in a nail-biting end to the competition that saw newcomers Inter Brunswick crowned as champions on goal difference.
The current holders, who have won each competition since its inception, could only muster 3rd place even though they were unbeaten throughout the tournament. The competition is heating up with 9 teams from across Sussex now involved, which can only add to the quality. To throw extra fuel to the fire, the new champions were set up by a player that moved on from the relinquishing team.
Tournament Administrator, Les Page, commented: “It was very open going into the last half of the tournament. It was unbelievably close with the winners taking top spot on goal-difference. There were some exciting battles and high-scores in the final set of games. The Inter Brunswick lads did tremendously well, as did the others, but took the title by just 2 goals.”
The sport is growing in popularity at a huge rate and the walking version of the game, as the name suggests, is slower-paced and suited to those who may have reduced mobility. With more teams involved in this competition, the level of skill is getting higher and the competition is getting stronger.
Referee, Jason Hughes, went on to say: “It was a really strong contest this time around; the Dolphins were keen to retain their championship winning status; resident teams Worthing Strikers and South Downs Sharks were looking to challenge, whilst new teams Inter Brunswick and Mile Oak were keen to try and wrestle the title away. This made for a really good competition and we hope that these events keep growing with new teams, as that can only help to improve the standards and quality yet again.”
Walking football is changing people’s lives and giving people of a certain age or ability their ‘Beautiful Game’ back. It’s not too late to get involved, as you can still enter teams for the next tournament or league competition, which are held on the first Monday of every month.
South Downs Leisure host drop-in training sessions at the Football Centre, part of their Shaftesbury Avenue site, on Tuesday mornings and Friday evenings, whilst they also host regular 8-week introductory sessions.
If you would like to know more about the game or future competitions, then visit: www.southdownsleisure.co.uk, drop in to Worthing Leisure Centre, or call 01903 905050 (option 2), where you can also register teams or book yourself a 3G pitch.