A group based out of CV Life’s Alan Higgs Centre says being stationed at the venue is helping them grow their membership.
Coventry and District Walking Football Club has been playing the ever growing sport at the venue for a number of years.
But with a long term home base so central to the city, they say the location is proving to have real “pulling power” with the group fastly approaching 100 players.
Furthermore, a recent successful bid for funding means the club can now start looking to the future and building infrastructure which will allow their club to continue growing.
Walking football began around ten years ago as a way to get people over the age of 50 active and socialising in their twilight years by playing a slower version of the beautiful game. But the sport has grown and grown since, becoming a worldwide pastime with hundreds of thousands of people participating across the globe.
The sport is a lifeline for so many people, with many finding being active and social is helping with both physical and mental wellbeing.
Alwyn Day, Club Secretary for Coventry and District Walking Football Club, said: “Our club membership continues to grow and today we are now fast approaching triple figures.
“Last year we applied for grants from the National Lottery Community Fund and Coventry City Council, with our members working hard to put together a compelling package based around the premise that ‘age is no barrier to health and well-being’.
“So we were delighted when both grant applications were accepted, a generous award from the National Lottery and one from Coventry City Council, but both greatly appreciated and warmly received.
“Being based at The Alan Higgs Centre offers the pulling power of a large city population giving us a potentially greater opportunity to increase our membership, which is actually already proving to be the case.”
Laura Williams is Centre Manager at the Higgs, she said: “Sport should be accessible to all. Exercise can have such a positive impact on your wellbeing and at CV Life we’re passionate about making sure our venues are welcoming to everyone, regardless of age or capability.
“So I’m thrilled Coventry and District Walking Football Club have found a home with us that is helping them to not only establish themselves but also continue to grow and offer more to the community.”
The club’s growth is even capturing the attention of the national walking football scene, and this week Coventry and District welcomed England’s Over 70s Walking Football team to the Higgs.
The side took on Blackburn Rovers Over 70s, who were awarded a fixture against the national team having been crowned national champions last year.
A competitive match on the venue’s newly resurfaced pitches in the external dome saw Blackburn secure a 2-1 victory over England thanks to a last minute winner.
The sport is open to all capabilities, but naturally a competitive element has emerged meaning there is an appetite for higher standard matches between some participants.
Find out more about the Coventry and District Walking Football Club here.