Grant to give walking footballers more pitch time

Players in a walking football group will be given more pitch time after being awarded a grant of £2,500.

Gloucestershire County Council has provided the Abbeymead Rovers Pirates with money from its Grassroots Neighbourhood Fund.

The team, which is aimed at people living with long-term health conditions, will see its pitch sessions extended to one-and-a-half hours.

Derek Jones, who runs the club, said they were "extremely grateful" for the grant and that the team were "proud" of what they have achieved.

Jones said "fresh air, exercise, fun, and friendships", which players enjoyed at the club, "are the best medicine".

"No one is judged," Jones said.

"All are welcome and we are so proud of what we've achieved here and that this has become a template for many other sessions around England."

Team members live with conditions such as cancer and Parkinson's, and some are recovering from injury.

Walking football is a slower paced version of the game and allows people aged over 50 and those with mobility issues to be able to continue to play the sport.

For many players and their families, the group provides a support network as well as a chance to exercise.

"This is a truly outstanding community group that makes a real difference to people's health and wellbeing," said Andrew Gravells, county councillor for the Abbeydale division of Gloucester.

"The sessions offer much more than physical activity – they provide friendship, confidence and support for players and their families.

"This grant will help the group grow and ensure even more people can benefit from what they offer," he added.

The Grassroots Neighbourhood Fund gives each of the county's 55 councillors up to £20,000 to invest in local projects that improve health, wellbeing and community resilience.

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