Calling all USW staff and students with Football World Cup Fever! Join in the fun on Monday 5th December (1-4pm) as USW & The Coalfields Regeneration Trust (Game on Wales) proudly host a free world cup themed walking football festival.
What is Walking Football? Walking football is like the game you love, played in a new way. Walking Football is a unique small-sided ball game created in 2011. It’s similar in some respects to Association Football and this is what makes it such a great sport. The biggest difference, as the name suggests, is there is no running. Walking football is played at walking pace, with players not allowed to run. This includes with the ball or off the ball, and includes jogging. You can ‘walk’ as fast as you want and walking as described in the rules is “one foot must be in contact with the ground at all times.” One other big difference to association or 5-a-side football is that it’s classed as non-contact sport. Although tackling is allowed, this must be done with no contact.
Walking Football is for everyone. Pawb. After all the rules should be the same for all. No age restrictions. We actively encourage and want to see more female walking players. So this event is perfect for mixed teams and people wanting to give walking football a go. The event is open to USW staff and students so perhaps a nominated captain can gather and enter a team from your department or course? Remember this is world cup themed so team names accordingly please i.e. Engineering England, Wales Wonders, Spanish Student Services etc. If you wanted to wear national colours even better!
Volunteer referees supplied by our good friends at Wales Walking Football Federation and a full demonstration of the rules will be provided before the action starts.
• Matches 6-a-side with a maximum squad size of 9 players per team. There is no cost to enter a team or play.
• Mixed gender teams are welcome. Shin pads and goalie gloves recommended.
• Teams compete under Football Association of Wales 'Laws of the Game' : https://www.faw.cymru/files/8116/2694/6967/FAW_Walking_Football_Laws_of_the_Game.pdf
• Match duration is likely to be 10 minutes per game. Due to time limitations entry will be limited to 8 teams - first come first served.
The event is subject to Welsh Government and FAW restrictions / compliance at the time. Changing facilities and toilets available.
Facility Information
• The event will be staged at the fabulous University of South Wales Sport Park - Indoor Barn. All goals 12ft x 6ft. You must ensure that your wear clean footwear and kit. No 'blades' or screw in studs of any description are allowed. Only training shoes suitable for 3G pitches, moulded boots or trainers are acceptable.
• Light refreshments (vending) available to purchase on site.
• Plenty of parking directly on site. Car parks have gated entry system with automatic number plate recognition (no tickets issued) you simply pay £1 at the payment booth when leaving (located outside main reception). Then barrier will then lift when exiting.
Team Registration is only via this online booking system: Sport Reg. There is no cost to enter. Prizes (hopefully!) provided!
The event will be photographed and filmed for USW & The Coalfields Regeneration Trust marketing purposes. Team captains will be asked to complete a 'team sheet' and individual participants a 'participant form' (on the day) for statistical and safety purposes. Please see our privacy statement on the Coalfields Regeneration Trust website for more information.
Any updates will be posted on the @GameOnWales Facebook page.
Game On Wales is the sport programme delivered by The Coalfields Regeneration Trust - Charity no: 1074930 - an organisation that champions and strengthens Coalfield Communities.
