The match is scheduled to start today
Chesterfield is set to host the International Walking Football Federation World Championships.
From today until Sunday, the best Woking footballers will play at SMH Group Stadium, home of Chesterfield FC.
Fifteen countries will be represented in the tournament, with 54 male and female teams including Australia, Lithuania, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Peru and host England.
To coincide with the Championship, a blue plaque commemorating Chesterfield FC Community Trust’s role in the creation of Walking Football was unveiled at the stadium.
Walking football has captured the hearts of many, offering a unique twist on the traditional game. This allows those who love soccer to continue playing into their later years, promoting fitness, camaraderie and competitive spirit without the impact and strain of running.
John Crute, chief executive of the club and community trust, came up with the idea of a walking version of football as an “overtime” initiative aimed at people aged 55 and over. Since then, it has become a very popular sport all over the world.
John Clute is the Chief Executive Officer of Chesterfield FC.
“There are about 15 countries coming to North Derbyshire for this.
“It’s great. We’ll be marking the pitch into four pitches, so we’ll be able to play four games at the same time between different groups.”
“Fifteen years ago, we came up with the concept of walking football because we wanted older people to be able to enjoy the sport as well.
“Little did I know that this would become one of the fastest growing sports in the world.
“We now have walking rugby and walking netball, but they all took inspiration from what started in Chesterfield 15 years ago.
“At the time we Googled it and no one was doing it anywhere.
“Sport England told me a few years ago that 100,000 people play in England alone.
“This is amazing considering it started as part of Chesterfield Football Club’s community project.”
For more information, please see the link below.
https://chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/iwff-world-championships-at-the-smh-group-stadium-this-weekend
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