A Sheffield charity says their inclusive walking rugby sessions are helping participants stay active, make new friends and feel more connected to their community.
The Eagles Foundation, which is the charitable arm of the Sheffield Eagles professional rugby league team, established the programme in 2023 to help combat social isolation.
The group, who play at the Sheffield Hallam University City Athletics Stadium, is open to both men and women and people of all ages.
Richard King, 55, a long term Eagles fan said he joined not for fitness reasons but for the “massive mental health benefits”.
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He said: “For me it was the social side. With my job I work from home so this really helps get me out of the house.”
The heritage consultant said the charity had created an “inclusive” environment.
“Many like me have never played rugby before,” he said.
“We have seven-year-olds down here playing with seventy-seven-year-olds. It really is for everyone. Most of the time here we spend laughing”.
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The rules of walking rugby are not radically different to “running rugby” as King explains.
“It’s just like normal running ruby, but at walking pace. We’re still trying to score a try but instead of tackling you just tag someone.”
Walking rugby is also considered lower impact and less physically strenuous than the regular game, making it accessible to older players and those with health conditions.
King admits one aspect of the game does provoke a few arguments.
“There’s always a constant debate about the fine line between what’s running and what’s walking,” he chuckles.
The Eagles Foundation originally started the programme with help from the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park’s legacy fund and have received £1,000 of top up funding in the last year.
Claire Fretwell, Operations Manager at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, said: “We are thrilled to have supported the launch and growth of this fantastic walking rugby project. People are travelling from across South Yorkshire to take part, with sessions open to all abilities and backgrounds.”
Andrea Dobson, Development Manager for the Eagles Foundation helped run the early sessions of walking rugby.
“It all started because we wanted to put something on for the older Eagles fans as well,” she said.
“It’s less intense than other sessions and it’s not about having huge numbers, but it’s really helped with social inclusion.”
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2e1yjwd3v1o
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