Walking footballers ready to take on tournament
TL;DR
Walking footballers from the North East are set to compete in the Women's Super League tournament in Gloucester on May 17. This marks a significant opportunity for many players who have long awaited their chance to participate in the sport.
Key points
- Walking footballers are preparing for a major tournament
- The event is the Women's Super League in Gloucester
- North East England will be represented by the team
- Players are pursuing spots in the national side
The women will represent the North East taking on regions from across the country [Simon Thurlow]
Walking footballers are gearing up to compete in a major tournament.
Some who have waited decades to play the sport will represent north-east England in their first Walking Football Association (WFA) Women's Super League in Gloucester on 17 May.
Many of the players said they could only dream of taking part in a sport historically dominated by men, but now some are also competing for spots in the national side.
Centre-forward Jackie Freeman, 61 and from Saltburn, said she was "really looking forward" to playing in the tournament and felt confident the teams would win.
"Since I was little I always kicked a football about," she said.
After playing regular football from the age of 17, she was selected for national training sessions with England but said she "couldn't afford to go" which was "sickening".
"I got over it and put it aside, I had to pay for myself I had no job," she said.
Players said they felt confident ahead of the clash [Simon Thurlow]
Freeman got married at 24 and "missed the football" for 35 years while focusing on family life and running a shoe repair business.
But two years ago, her family encouraged her to play again.
The mother-of-three said she joined the Redcar Town Ladies Development football team playing regular 11-aside football and the Stokesley walking football team.
After first getting back into football she said she could "hardly walk the next day" but the training had got her fitter.
"I'm really excited about playing in it [Super League], I'm looking forward to it and I'm confident," she said.
The North East Team will travel down to Gloucester [Simon Thurlow]
Julie Norris, 56, from Guisborough, helps coach women in their 40s as part of the regional team.
The former deputy headteacher, who will represent England as part of a Parkinson's women's walking football team in September, said she was grateful for the opportunity having studied sport at university.
She said the skills of the women she supported in the regional team were "incredible".
She added she was "proud and excited" and felt the women would thoroughly enjoy themselves.
WFA North East regional manager Janette Hynes said it was the first team she had entered from the region [Simon Thurlow]
Lisa Shepherd, 41, from Middlesbrough said she got into the sport when looking for for exercise that was "not too harsh" on her knees following surgery.
She said she used to play football as a teen and had to stop because of her knee injury and after attending her first session of walking football, she "was hooked".
However, after an "excited and nervous" wait to take part in the regional tournament, she has been ruled out as her knee was "playing up".
WFA North East regional manager Janette Hynes said it was the first team they had entered from the region and said she "fought" to get the women into the Super League for two years.
"The northerners will bring the cup back to the north," she said.
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Q&A
What is the date of the Women's Super League tournament for walking football?
The Women's Super League tournament for walking football is scheduled for May 17.
Which region will the walking football team represent in the tournament?
The walking football team will represent the North East of England.
Why is the walking football tournament significant for women?
The tournament is significant as it provides women, who have historically been excluded from the sport, an opportunity to compete and pursue spots in the national side.
What is walking football?
Walking football is a variant of football designed for players who prefer a slower-paced game, allowing older adults to participate without the physical demands of traditional football.