Ten Walking Footballers took part in the tournament held in Costa Blanca, Spain...
A team of Sky Blue Walking Footballers flew out to the Costa Blanca region in Spain earlier in the Spring to take part in the annual Keith Whiteman Memorial Trophy.
The Trophy competition is played in Playa Flamenca, close to the City of Torrevieja and saw ten teams participate in a Walking Football tournament.
Ten Walking Footballers who attend the Sky Blues in the Community sessions for those aged 50+ represented Coventry City, taking on teams from across the Costa Blanca region.
Lawrence Anderson, known as “Lol”, attends the Sky Blues in the Community Walking Football sessions and has previously been out to Spain – playing with Playa Flamenca on his last three visits.
Lol, who has been organising the trip, told us: “The Playa Flamenca team were formed in October 2014. The Trophy is named The Keith Whiteman Memorial Trophy, Keith was playing at Playa Flamenca when he suffered a heart attack on the pitch and sadly died.
"The trophy and competition was named in memory of Keith. Keith’s wife Babs will be present at the tournament and will present the trophy to the winners.”
Sky Blues in the Community and Coventry City would like to say a huge well done to the ten local Walking Footballers (Barry Walker, Brian Stansfield, Bruce Doe, Dave Marriot, Jeffery Grimes, John Gabriel, John Tomlinson, Lawrence Anderson, Paul Latham and Simon Atherfold) for taking part in the competition in Spain.
Walking Football is simply a slower-paced version of the beautiful game. It is designed to help people have an active lifestyle regardless of their age and ability, as well as getting people back playing football. It’s a great way to keep fit, learn skills, have fun and socialise all at the same time.
Sky Blues in the Community have been delivering Walking Football since December 2014 under the banner of the ‘InForm’ men’s health project funded by The Big Lottery Fund (the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding across the UK).
The Fund aims to enable others to make real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need.
Since Walking Football began, it has grown in popularity and continues to go from strength to strength having a true impact on the lives of those who attend.
SBitC would like to thank all Walking Footballers for their continued commitment to the sessions and making it the success it is today. Due to its success, there are plans to expand sessions to create more opportunities for local people aged 50+ to attend.
To find out more about Walking Football, please contact Hiedi Sloan via Email: hiedi.sloan@ccfc.co.uk or Telephone: 024 7678 6314.