Walking Football participants in Rushden have been reunited at The Pemberton Centre in Rushden after 18 months apart due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The sessions, which are managed and staffed by Freedom Leisure, have been running since the start of June and the group is now looking to grow its weekly membership and encourage more participants to attend on a weekly basis.

Robert Eames and Terry McEwen, two of the group’s regular participants explain: “Our Walking Football group members want to get back a bit of the feeling of when we all played years ago. 

“It keeps us fit. You’re pleased when your team wins and you make good friends and we love the banter. When the session is finished, you feel mentally and physically better for taking part. However, most importantly, we laugh and have a lot of fun. 

“Prior to Covid, we had 16 people, but numbers are slow to come back. We have ladies join us too. We have people who have never played football before, but that doesn’t matter, it’s all about having a bit of fun. We would also like to add that Bobby, who is employed by the centre, is great and joins in, helps us practice our skills and carries out referee tasks.”

The Walking Football sessions at The Pemberton Centre run on a Tuesday lunchtime between 12pm and 1pm and cost £3 to take part in on a pay as you play basis.

For more information about the sessions, please contact Christopher Bryden, Active Communities Manager for Freedom Leisure in North Northamptonshire, on (07500) 861729 or e-mail Christopher.Bryden@freedom-leisure.co.uk