The WFA are pleased to announce, on St David’s Day, the appointment of two management
teams for the Welsh National Walking Football over 50 and over 60 teams.
With the support of the FA of Wales, the WFA will also assist the management teams in
both the establishment of Walking Football Wales and a new National League of Wales.
These initiatives are aimed at promoting awareness of the sport throughout Wales and at
producing teams capable of competing at the WFA Euros to be held in England in 2019 and
at the WFA World Cup in 2020.
Over 60’s
Martin Ransom (far right) and Hedley Austin (far left) are joint managers. They together
manage the very successful and well- travelled Neath Community Walking Football team
(Neath Dragons).
Martin and Hedley say “Because we have been involved in Walking Football for several
years, we know how much of a “kick” we mature players get out of being able to play the
game we love – even at our ages. Playing can be at any level, from recreational to the
highly competitive. What has been missing in Wales up to now is the opportunity to
compete at the highest level – that is what we want to address by establishing the new
national squad”
Over 50’s
Jason Allsopp is the manager, assisted by Martin Pritchard. Jason is the coach at Cardiff City
FC Foundation Walking Football club. Jason played professionally for Leeds United and
Middlesbrough. Jason says: “It is an absolute honour and privilege to be named as the
Welsh Walking Football manager and given the task of creating a National team in this
unique sport to compete at the Euro’s 2019 and World Cup 2020.”
Jason
Martin
Paul Carr, Chief Executive of the WFA was delighted with these appointments: “All these
guys are extremely passionate about Walking Football and I have absolute confidence in
their ability to produce high quality teams of Walking Footballers”. Working with the FA of
Wales, Game on Wales and other strong partners, and setting up a National League, will
quickly raise the awareness of the sport throughout the Country.
Wales’ first International, for both age groups, is provisionally scheduled for October
against England.
MYND CYMRU
(Go Wales)
