The Maccabi Strollers Walking Football Club continues to go from strength to strength and as they prepare to embark on their third season, all eyes will be on next month’s curtain-raiser – the Charity Festival.
Describing how the idea for the event came about, club chairman Gary Briggs said: “This follows on from a similar but smaller event we held last August as our version of the FA Community Shield. We fielded two teams against another local club who brought two teams and had a fabulous mini tournament, while in the process, raising £1,800 for charity. So this year, on the back of the Maccabi GB outreach programme, we have encouraged all communities to provide new players who we can combine with our Sunday regulars.”
]Squads will be formed by communities – who can combine if necessary – with nearly 60 players already registered, all that’s left to decide is whether the tournament will be an eight or ten-team format. Either way, a shield will be up for grabs, contested by the group winner and runner-up, while the third and fourth-placed teams will play for the Plate, ensuring each team will be playing either five or six matches of 15 minutes over two hours. Spaces for more teams are still available.
Reflecting on how his club is going, Briggs said: “We’re delighted with the progress we’ve made since we became formally affiliated to Maccabi GB and the Football Association in 2023. We have nearly 80 players registered, of whom half play regularly, the cornerstone of the Club being our weekly Sunday morning session in Stanmore. This is competitive and highly enjoyable with far more old-age banter than physical contact! Our skill levels (pass and move) have noticeably improved in the past three months.”
The club tends to play either five, six or seven-a-side games, which enables flexibility on numbers and gives everyone a game. Insisting they “don’t turn anyone away”, Briggs, in describing the pace of the matches, said: “Obviously, no running or any peculiar type of fast walking is the core difference. And from a safeguarding perspective, there is no contact, tackling from behind or the side, no heading, no ball above head/crossbar height and goalkeepers have a protected area too. Furthermore, four running offences by a team result in a penalty to the opponent.
“But more importantly, Walking Football offers huge wellbeing benefits. For many it has offered a path back to regular exercise, or rehabilitation following a serious illness or injury. Others tell us the mental benefit and social interaction is a lifesaver and the highlight of their week.”
Looking ahead to the new season, which sees the club team up with charity the Maccabi GB Endowment Fund – which supports and assists less fortunate but talented youth playing in overseas competitions – Briggs said: “We enjoy our open Sunday session, though this has inhibited us entering the Middlesex Over 60s Sunday League. However, we believe our numbers are now strong enough to enter the upcoming season without detriment to either. Additionally, there is a range of one-day tournaments available throughout the season which we can consider.”
A trip to Israel is also in the offering. “Following the visit of the Israel national squad to the UK last summer, we are making a return visit this November,” Briggs said. “This will comprise of a war-up friendly and a four or six-team tournament with the established regional clubs.
“We invite readers who have given up 11-a-side football, or would simply like to try our version, to make contact.”
To find out more about the Club and to enter a team in The Charity Festival, contact Gary at: gary@briggsweb.co.uk
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