On your feet for Walking Day ’21
By Sarah Slevin
People are encouraged to get walking or try ‘walking football’ ahead of National Walking Day on September 26, and there are walking groups across the region, including those in Loughnavalley and at Streete Parish Park.
Around 80 members enjoy the walking track built on the 11 acres of land at the Streete club. Kevin Brady of the parish park committee said: “It’s an outstanding community effort to raise funds weekly to keep it going. Bingo is our staple income, which is online now, and we don’t know if we will ever see it in person again.”
Kevin mentioned that the track is a safe and “stress-free” walkway. It has a level surface, is well-lit, is next to a playground and always has someone monitoring it. He praised walking as an activity as it has more than just physical benefits. “It is great for mental health, as well as physical fitness, it’s great to have a facility like this on a daily basis. Walking is a non-judgemental sport,” Kevin added.
He also mentioned the Boherquill Ramblers, a group more than 20 years old now. It was set up by Brian Nerney, and it has around 100 members. On Sundays, members go to different areas, more recently in small groups, due to Covid-19 restrictions. This coming Sunday, on National Walking Day, the group will meet at Boherquill and head to Glasson for the weekly walk.
Loughnavalley
In Loughnavalley, the Healthy Club started up a walking group just before Covid-19 hit in March 2020. Co-ordinator Carol Keenan echoed sentiments that a walking group is about much more than physical benefits.
“People value the group, which has really motivated us to keep it going. There are people of all kinds and ages, and you get to talk to people you wouldn’t normally bump into.
“Even though we’re a small group, it’s a great way to get to know different people in the area,” Carol said.
The group have been using a temporary 500m walking route around the local pitch but are hoping to expand if they can secure funding.
Another fun and alternative walking activity the Healthy Club have started is Walking Football.
Carol’s father, Christy, came up with the idea as a new way to play football without having to run around – as the rules do not allow running!
This year, the group set up two different groups, a walking football group, and a half-paced running football group.
They call it ‘Dads and Lads Social Football’ and say that football is “not just a young man’s game”.
The group are inviting new members, from all surrounding areas, to join in on the social game when it returns in a couple of weeks.
“If you, your dad, your partner, uncle, brother, neighbour, want to get out of the house and come down to Loughnavalley pitch for a kickabout with a bit of craic, get in touch.”
Find out more about their walking group and the walking football on the Loughnavalley GFC Facebook page.