Keeping Portsmouth’s Senior Community Active Through Sport

Twice a week, the Roko Training Ground, in Hilsea, hosts the rather unusual sport of walking football. Overseen by Pompey in the Community, an independent charitable trust affiliated to Portsmouth Football Club, the sporting initiative aims to keep the city’s elderly community active and healthy.

Consisting of around fifty members, the team welcomes players from various ages and footballing abilities. The team was founded nearly six years ago after the charity received a fund from the National Lottery. Since then, the walking football team have competed in tournaments on both a national level, and abroad in exotic locations such as Mallorca.

As the name suggests, players are not allowed to run and are only given a maximum of three touches, encouraging quick and accurate passing. Although the average age of the squad is 70-years-old, the game remains competitive and passionate as ever.