Chesterfield’s Proact Stadium will host the first Walking Football European Nations Cup this summer.
The Walking Football Association has structured a tournament featuring 160 players, representing eight different nations, involving Over 50s and Over 60s teams.
WFA chief executive Paul Carr explained why Chesterfield was chosen to host the tournament. He said: “Chesterfield is the home of Walking Football as John Croot, who is a WFA non-executive director, works here, lives here and created the game here so it’s the perfect place to host the first international tournament for Walking Football.”
Chesterfield player Laurence Maguire, who is an England C international and brother of England star Harry Maguire, was at the launch of the event . He said: “It’s fantastic for the Walking Football community to come together in Chesterfield at the Proact and they’re very welcome to hold the European Nations Cup here.
“You see players now retiring from football at early ages so for people to come out and keep their fitness levels up in their older age is fantastic for the sport.
“As the sport gets bigger and bigger, I’m sure there will be many more ex-professionals taking part in Walking Football when they finish.”
The tournament, which will include teams representing England, Wales, Italy, Holland, Spain and France, will be played on the weekend of June 8/9, with a gala dinner also taking place at the stadium.
Walking football is credited with helping to stimulate mental and physical wellbeing for the older generation. The slower pace and less contact is perfect for people looking to keep active by playing the sport they love.
