- Local walking football group are league champions
- Group originally set up in 2017 through council initiative
- Tamworth Strollers meet every Monday and Friday aimed at over 50s
A walking football group, originally set up in 2017 with Tamworth Borough Council to help people aged 50 and over stay active and enjoy a kick-about, have become league champions!
Tamworth Strollers Walking Football group are officially Birmingham County Walking Football League (BCWFL) over 50's champions, meaning they are promoted to the premier division for next season 2025 /26.
The group hold weekly sessions at Tamworth Enterprise College and at the Football Factory, following an initiative originally led by Tamworth Borough Council in 2017 to help tackle inactivity and combat social isolation for people over 50.
The activity is a slow-paced version of the game designed to help people over 50 maintain an active lifestyle, as well as helping people who may have had to stop playing football due to injuries return to the sport.
The group became a partner club for Tamworth Borough Council’s 3G project in Belgrave in 2020 and have gone from strength to strength formulating teams for ‘friendlies’ games and more competitive sanctioned fixtures as well as operating sessions just for fun!
Dave Iliffe, Tamworth Strollers chairman said: "This success is due to the hard work achieved by committed club members, some of whom are sadly no longer with us but never forgotten.
“The efforts of the players are a joy to watch playing a high level of football. We offer both social games and more competitive games in the BCWFL and new members are always very welcome.
“Our members age ranges from early 50s to over 70s! We may be getting older, but we are still kicking!
"Thanks to Tamworth Borough Council community funding, we now have our own website where you can find out more about our group: www.tamworthstrollerswfc.com.”
Other than walking as opposed to running, the rules are the same as the regular version of the game and provides individuals who may have not played for years, the opportunity to return to the game with like-minded people. The sessions are recreational, light-hearted and designed to get people on their feet playing a 5-aside version of the game at a pace they are more comfortable with and joining other local players in a relaxed and social environment.
The sessions run every Monday evening at 7pm - 8pm at the Tamworth Enterprise College and Friday’s at 7pm – 8pm at the Football Factory in Wilnecote. Contact Dave Iliffe on 07884270107 to find out more.
Councillor Lewis Smith, portfolio holder for people services, engagement and leisure for Tamworth Borough Council, said: “Huge congratulations to Tamworth Strollers! What a fantastic achievement. Public health is one of our top priorities and we’re thrilled to see that the Tamworth Strollers group is supporting many in our borough to stay fit and active. We congratulate them on winning the Midlands league!
“This is a great example of how anyone over the age of 50 can still enjoy a sport, be active and meet new people with similar sporting interests.
“This walking football group originally started as a council initiative and we’re proud to see how much this group has grown, inspiring more people to play football again in a slower-pace 5-aside team and increasing physical activity.
“We wish the group every continued success and I look forward to seeing them win the premier division cup!”
Tamworth Borough Council operate a number of sports pitches in Tamworth which are available to hire for clubs and teams of all ages. The largest facility is based at Anker Valley, Amington, where there are 10 pitches and changing facilities.
The 3G pitches available at both Tamworth Enterprise College and Anker Valley are top of the range facilities providing valuable space for the borough's many football teams.
There are also many council-run leisure facilities, sports initiatives and play schemes organised by our Active Wellbeing team. This includes a new weekly walking group and activities aimed at people of all ages, run by qualified and experienced coaches, all year round. Find out more here: Sports and activities | Tamworth Borough Council.
Notes:
Images include:
Dave Iliffe - Chairman
Brendan Fitzgerald – Group Secretary
Bob Bayley – Welfare Officer
Trevor Jones – Treasurer