Following a successful launch of walking netball and football in Bridlington by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Sport, Play and Arts Service the sessions are to continue free of charge until early November.
The new walking netball and walking football sessions will take place at East Riding Leisure Bridlington where they were launched earlier this month as part of Older People’s Day with a view to demonstrating that age is no obstacle playing sport and meeting new people.
Walking sports are offered to East Riding residents as part of the council’s Let’s Get Moving programme, which is commissioned by adult services with the aim of helping people stay fit and active regardless of ability.
Councillor Richard Harrap, council portfolio holder for adult and carer services, said:
“The introduction of walking sports to the East Riding has been a great success, helping people to try out a sport for the first time or rediscover their love of a particular sport, regardless of their level of fitness or ability.
“It is fantastic to see walking sports now being rolled out to Bridlington where it is hoped they will continue helping people to stay fit, active and socially engaged especially as we approach the colder, winter months.”
From Monday 16 October walking netball sessions will be held in the main hall at East Riding Leisure Bridlington (meet in reception), on Mondays from 1-2pm.
The sessions will be free of charge up to and including Monday 6 November and will then be charged at £2.20 per session.
Walking football started on 4 October and takes place on Wednesdays 1-2pm, in the main hall at East Riding Leisure Bridlington (meet in reception). The weekly sessions up to and including 1 November will be free, with each session costing £2.20 thereafter.
Walking sports are designed to encourage over 50s to take part in fun, sociable games perhaps after having to take a break due to illness or injury or to simply improve fitness and meet new people.
Both walking netball and walking football are played indoors with adapted rules and are suitable for all levels of fitness.
Appropriate footwear and clothing should be worn, and participants are advised to take along a drink.
Sarah Johnson, sport and active communities officer, added:
“We were really pleased with how the taster sessions went as part of Older People’s Day and that we are now able to offer further sessions to people living in and around Bridlington.
“The launch of walking sports in the East Riding has so far been a great success and we hope many more people will attend these new sessions and reap the benefits.”
