MEMBER STORIES
MODIFIED FOOTBALL OFFERS MANY BENEFITS HOW ECH IS HELPING TO KEEP OVER 50s ACTIVE
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ith an ageing population, leading South Australian home care and independent retirement living provider ECH (Enabling Confidence at Home) saw the importance of keeping older members of the community active and socially connected. With that in mind, in 2019 together with the South Australian National Football League (SANFL), ECH created Walking Footy – a modified Australian Rules Football program specifically for people aged 50 and over. Played in teams of six on a field the size of a basketball court, it is designed to be a fun, inclusive and safe game with no running, tackling or bumping involved. A typical season spans six weeks and games are divided into four eight-minute quarters.
“I’ve always liked footy, I played in my younger years, so I thought why not have a go! I’m not able to run like I used to, so I thought this was a good option to keep active,” Ian said. “It’s helping keep us mobile, and then there are the friendships that you make as well, they’re all nice people. We all enjoy the same common theme, which is footy. “And over time you can see people getting better and better, their skills and their fitness are improving because they’re practicing regularly. “It gets you out of the house and doing something enjoyable.” Like Ian, Creina has enjoyed every minute since she first started playing in 2021. She said it is a fun game, and no prior experience of footy is needed; it’s all about being active and having a laugh.
Creina and Ian say walking footy is about having ECH General Manager of Client fun and making new friends. Experience Carolyn Dawkins said “I found it really enjoyable and a lot participants have seen many benefits to being involved in the of fun. It doesn’t matter how fit or unfit you are, it’s like-minded weekly sessions – including healthier lifestyles and making people at various levels coming together and you have a bit of new friends. a laugh,” says Creina. “The past two years have been challenging for older people to “It doesn’t matter if you join with a friend or if you go along on remain socially connected especially with increased isolation your own as everyone is so friendly and the SANFL coaches due to COVID-19 restrictions. This initiative provided an mix and match the teams.” inclusive way for them to meet people and get out to enjoy “If you’re looking for a new activity then I would really exercise, no matter their fitness or abilities,” she said. recommend coming along and giving it a go!” Participants have loved the experience, including Ian, who first Vicky Brett is Marketing Manager, ECH. signed up to Walking Footy in 2019 after seeing an ad and was instantly interested. He said there are so many benefits to taking part, from combining exercise and socialising, to having a few laughs with the group.
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For more information visit ech.asn.au/walking-footy
