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Since forming a new walking football team in September last year, Caerphilly Castle Ladies and Girls have already secured a trophy, with plans on growing the section further.
Kay Pritchard told Caerphilly Observer how she approached the club last year looking to create a walking football team which has since “changed people’s lives”.
She said: “Its been going really well. We have a mix of age ranges, with some players well into their sixties involved.
“We went away to Devon for a tournament recently and came away winners – which has been great in attracting talent.
“There’s a range of abilities at the club, with some just coming for fun whilst others represent Wales on the international stage.”
Asked about her root into football, Kay, from Blackwood, said: “I used to play back when I was a kid. At school they’d try to get me to play with the girls but I refused.
“Eventually they let me play with the boys and I picked a few things up before I started to play hockey.
“I returned to football in my twenties but now I’m in my forties I don’t have much desire to be running up and down the wing, so walking football is a good compromise”, she joked.
The league runs from September to May, with plenty of chances for silverware at tournaments across the country.
“It’s an amazing social opportunity for the group too, especially some of the older members who rely on it. I think it has changed some people’s lives since joining.
“We have two members who used to play football together years ago, they didn’t recognise each other at first until having a drink at the pub.”
A few of the players went along to Caerphilly’s Pride event on Saturday, where Kay hopes they recruited a few more players.
“We’ve even got a couple of men training with us now, which really pushes the group.”
The walking football side train between 7pm and 8pm every Tuesday at Ysgol Gymraeg Caerffili.
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