Step aside pickleball; walking soccer is here to fill a gap in Victoria’s social sports scene
As referee Tony Shaw puts it, “there’s a lot more energy to it than the title.”
Out on the Hampton Park field in Victoria on a Wednesday afternoon, the Gorge Striders are engaged in a lively game of walking soccer – a sport made for people who want the joy of playing soccer but at a slower pace.
“It’s great for me: I can still enjoy the game,” said Shaw, 83. “And I like the beer afterwards. And it’s good company. The people here are just really, really nice people. I brought my son Kenyon to the games. He has down syndrome, is 40 years old, and he loves it too.”
Walking soccer is a modified, non-contact version where players must always have one foot in contact with the ground. Of course, a little bit of running happens here and there (cue Shaw’s whistle going off), but the most important thing is that everyone is on the same page about keeping things safe while having fun…
But the benefits of walking soccer are not just heard from personal testimonies. Studies have shown that walking soccer effectively treats mild to moderate hypertension and those who play show marked improvements in fat oxidation and aerobic power. It’s also shown to have substantial mental health and social benefits.
And out on the field on a Wednesday afternoon, with whoops and laughter coming from smiling, flushed faces, it’s easy to see those benefits in real time.
The walking soccer league runs year-round, outdoors at Hampton Park. Contact Peter at pdenby74@gmail.com to register or find more info at https://gorgesoccer.ca or https://svicsa.com/walking-soccer.html
FULL story at source: https://www.vicnews.com/community/a-newer-sport-is-growing-in-popularity-in-victoria-7350707
