July 2020THH The Walking Footballer Newsletter Edition 2 September 2020

FROM THE PRESIDENT - GLEN WALL Inside this edition Welcome to the second edition of the Whittlesea U3A Walking Welcome Page 1 Footballer Newsletter. We hope you enjoyed the first edition. If you are aware of someone who is not receiving the newsletter please contact Gerry (details below) and we will add them to the Covid 19 Restrictions Page 1 distribution list. COVID-19 continues to interrupt our normal way of life. At present all of Metropolitan is in stage 4 Walking Football in Australia restrictions and the rest of in stage 3 restrictions. Page 2 Unfortunately it is still uncertain when we will be able to resume and World our Walking Football program but rest assured we are ready to go as soon as restrictions are lifted and it is safe to do so. Whittlesea U3A News Page 2

Stage 4 restrictions allow you to leave the house only to: -Shop for essential items. One person only and for one hour. Let’s have a laugh Page 3 -Medical or caregiving. -Exercise for one hour only City Whittlesea News Page 3 You are not allowed to travel more than five kilometres from home World Football and A League You are not allowed out of your home between 8pm and 5am Page 3 unless you are an essential worker. News “Good News”- You can exercise or kick a soccer ball around Walking Football Coaches in your neighbourhood Page 3 corner Coronavirus hotline 1800 675 398

In this month’s edition we will be looking at Walking Football in Walking Football Story Page 4 other parts of the world, player profiles, City of Whittlesea and Whittlesea U3A online programs, Coaching skills tips, an update on RMITs research project and Melbourne City News and on-line Player profile-Gerry Fay Page 4 exercise program. Of course some funnies. Partner News RMIT and Page 4 Walking Footballer Newsletter information current from Melbourne City Football Club 26 August 2020. Everyone is welcome to suggest some articles which could be included in the next Newsletter. Enter the competition to design a logo for the walking football program and win prizes. Send any suggestions to [email protected] or telephone 0418 137 631 or post to 1A Westleigh Court Mill Park 3082.

Melbourne City Family Day 2016 1.

Walking Football Newsletter

WHITTLESEA U3A NEWS Online Classes During these times when we cannot meet together WU3A has in excess of 45 classes and activities running and the number of members participating in these activities from home is significantly increasing. A full list of the classes is available on WALKING FOOTBALL IN AUSTRALIA AND WORLD the Whittlesea U3A website. Walking Football is becoming very popular all around the Learn how to use Zoom. world. The Federation of international walking football Every Friday morning, a class on using Associations (FIWFA) organises international games and ZOOM has been scheduled to assist the inaugural walking football world cup in Manchester, May members to use the ZOOM application 2021. Many teams are playing the game in the UK. They on their phone or computer have a Walking Football Association (England), Many of the Chat from Home. clubs are associated with clubs in the English football Kathy Lizio is hosting 9 small “Chat league. The clubs play competitively in a formal league. The from Home” sessions each week and Walking Football Association is responsible for producing the number of attendees is growing the league fixtures, the rules of play and for providing each week. qualified referees. IPAD & Mobile Phone Classes. Walking football is also played in many European countries Janice Boswell has over 30 members and in the USA. attending the how to use your iPad classes each week. In Australia there are clubs in most of the States. The state Football Federations such as are now Social Seniors. responsible for promoting walking football. Peter Cleary and Janice Boswell have Whittlesea U3A’s program is one of the front runners in successfully introduced and are Victoria and has been used to get Walking Football facilitating the Social Seniors Program which has assisted members master established in a number of other areas. the use of their phone to “talk and see An important distinction between the types of Walking each other” Football programs needs to be made. Whittlesea U3As Keep connected by email. program will be a social program. This program will focus on Mary Renshaw has a ‘keep in connect allowing people to exercise, have some fun and socialise by email” group with approaching 50 with others. Whittlesea U3A’s program is not a competitive members sharing interests. Good form of the game. When we do play in tournaments, then experiences of the members naturally the competitive level will rise but the weekly participating in this group will be program is a social program. Our modified rules ensure a appearing on the Whittlesea U3A social environment and our health and safety. website. So it is possible that in the future Australia could follow the To join any of these programs contact: lead of England and form some sort of Walking Football [email protected] league for players who want to be more competitive. or enrol via the website. Author: Gerry Fay, Whittlesea U3A Walking Football www.whittleseau3a.org.au Program Leader Telephone 94641339 leave a message

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Walking Football Newsletter CITY OF WHITTLESEA WALKING FOOTBALL LET’S HAVE A LAUGH NEWS COACHES CORNER When we do get back to Not even in my wildest Uplift and Connect playing Walking Football we will dreams I imagine myself entering a Bank, Program wearing a mask and asking for money. have to remind ourselves of some of Never thought my hands will one day Keep in touch with your walking the skills of the game. These include: consume more alcohol than my football friends by joining a chat liver...ever! Do not step on the ball. Trap it with group either through Microsoft Quarantine seems like a Netflix the side of your foot and then kick it. series...just when you think is over, they Teams if you have a computer and release the next season. internet or mobile phone. Accuracy in passing. Even in the I’m starting to like this mask thing...went Exercises for Seniors classes professional game everything to the supermarket and two people that I revolves around the accuracy of your owe money to didn’t recognize me. Join an online exercise program passing. When you have the ball look Who was complaining that 2020 didn’t Monday to Friday 10am. up, see free players and get the ball have enough holidays...now what? Contact 9407 5913 or to them as quickly as possible. I need to social distance myself from my fridge; I tested positive in excess weight [email protected] Moving around. Once you have Someone can tell me if the 2nd passed the ball then move into a quarantine will be with the same WORLD FOOTBALL NEWS position where you can get it back family...or we can change? The A-League (Men) and W-League again. In just two weeks we will hear if there still Accuracy in shooting for goals. (Women) two more weeks to let us know that two When approaching the goal, look up more weeks of quarantine are needed… The men’s Australian Competition Observe the goalkeepers position, I’m not planning adding this 2020 to my age...I didn’t even use it! season has restarted. Melbourne head down, eyes on the ball, keep body over ball, make contact with We want to publicly apologize to the year City FC (City in the Community) is a 2019 for all the bad things we said about supporting partner of our Walking middle to top half of the ball. it. Football program. Melbourne City’s To all the ladies that were praying for Online Walking Football play at their husbands to spend more time with W league Women’s Team won the home challenge - Activity Guide and them... how are you doing? championship in March this year and Videos. My washing machine only accepts the men’s team will play in the finals www.playfootball.com.au/walking- pyjamas...I put a pair of jeans and a message came “stay home”! in September after finishing second football/play- at - home - challenge

After all that we have been through, the on the ladder. only thing missing is that the vaccine will be available only in suppository form. World Football

Many football leagues across the I feel like a teenager... no money in my wallet, hair long and out of control, world, including our own walking thinking what to do with my life, and grounded home. football program have been

MOST IMPORTANTLY KEEP BUSY: postponed. Congratulations to Speak with family and friends, keep Arsenal winning the FA cup. smiling, exercise and kick a soccer ball, eat well, but healthy, watch the A league Well done Socceroos and Matildas or your favourite TV show, listen to beautiful music, tend to your garden and for qualifying for the Tokyo be safe! Look forward to playing walking Olympics 2021 and Football football in the future. Australia in winning the bid to host

the Women’s World Cup with New Author: Pathmanathan (Alias Mr Shan) Whittlesea U3A Walking Football Zealand in 2023 Program participant

Tom Vlahos Walking Football participant at an A LEAGUE Game

with the group 3.

Walking Football Newsletter WALKING FOOTBALL STORY Gerry looking like a Walking MELBOURNE CITY FC SO FAR Football Manager at Government Home Exercises Walking Football in Whittlesea has House 2018 The concept of the online Facebook group been an on-going success story. was created by Melbourne City in the It started in 2016 as part of Community, specifically George Halkias. George contacted Nathan Jaenicke about Whittlesea Council’s Young at running weekly physical activity sessions for Hearts games (mini Olympics). those who were interested. Participants attended an 8 week The objectives of this online initiative includes engaging with the people in walking football training program Walking Football and attempting to keep leading up to the games where four them fit and active during these trying times. teams played in the inaugural The aim is to raise people’s spirits and give them a weekly exercise routine. It allows the tournament at Mill Park Basketball Walking Football participants to improve

Stadium. A regular weekly program their physical and mental health by giving commenced with support from them something to look forward to while they are stuck at home during the COVID-19. Melbourne City Football Club and As the weeks progressed and Nathan City of Whittlesea’s Positive Ageing received feedback, a good routine has been RMIT NEWS Team. Whittlesea U3A took over the built with the best exercises that could be Author: Liz Pressick performed by everyone easily at home. running of the program at the start City in the Community run online Facebook Walking Football Research of 2017. programs for two target groups to engage What’s it all about? with at home. One being Walking Football Participant Profile - Gerry Fay The research is aimed at documenting and the other, our Carers program. The Date of Birth: 4/12/1949 (70 years the benefits senior people obtain by Carers program is relatively new to old) being involved in a modified sports Melbourne City in the Community and program like Walking Football. targets individuals who, due to constantly Born: Belfast N. Ireland caring for family members or people in need, Why is it important? struggle to find time to engage in physical Family: Wife (deceased) The research has significant value after activity themselves. Each program normally COVID restrictions are lifted, because receives around 25-30 views on the CITC 4 Children: 13 Grandchildren we will look at how the restrictions have City Strikers Walking Football group out of a effected each one of you in terms of Favourite Movie: Shane total 33 members involved in the group. your health and quality of life due to the The participants often provide some very Favourite Singer: Roy Orbinson reduced ability for physical activity and positive feedback that can be seen in the socializing with your walking football Hobbies: All sports comments of each post. Due to the COVID- mates as well as the isolation you may 19 situation being a new experience for (especially AFL and soccer) have felt at home. The research will everyone it was difficult at the start but many also assist to refine the design of Keeping fit; have provided valuable feedback which Walking Football and future programs allowed us to improve and find the best Interests: Volunteering Walking for senior people. session for everyone involved. We are still Football leader; St. Vincent De What do you get out of it? open to any and all feedback to make this an The opportunity to contribute to the engaging and enjoyable program for Paul; Relay for Life. sustainability of your Walking Football everybody. facebook group called “CITC Favourite teams: program. The opportunity to continue Walking Football Group” to get participating in Walking Football, and City Strikers AFL, Collingwood newly introduced modified sports access. Nathan is live at 10am on Thursday through additional funding. mornings but the video remains on facebook Soccer, Manchester City and and you can play it at any time that suits Melbourne City What’s next? When Walking Football returns, Liz from Message from George Halkias from Proudest achievement: RMIT will invite you to participate and Melbourne City. My best wishes to all send you the project description prior to our walking footballers, stay connect- Being nominated for Victorian restarting Walking Football so you have ed. We can still support each other, time to consider if you would like to in other ways. Team work, Senior of the year for my stick together. This will end participate or not. Assistance will be involvement in walking football. and we’ll enjoy the walking available at the program to complete football spirit together. 4. the questionnaires.

Walking Football Newsletter