Collingham Football Club’s women’s team experiencing success and has been sponsored by Opus Business Advisory Group

Walking football is a fast-growing sport that has evolved to allow older football enthusiasts to play.

The game affords them as much protection as possible from the riskier elements of the sport.

Matches are played at a walking pace with no overhead height balls or tackling from behind or the side.

The safety of walking football has helped to open up the game, allowing older and less physically able people to enjoy the sport both socially at club level, and competitively through leagues and tournaments.

Last year saw the first season of the Lincolnshire Women’s Walking Football League.

It was one of the first leagues in the country to offer the sport competitively for women.

Collingham Ladies Walking Football Club, who had already been playing socially as a team for five years, joined the league with their over-40s team.

They achieved victory in their first season claiming the title as league champions.

The team also entered the Walking Football League Association National

Competition, and after winning through the regionals, made it to the national finals.

They achieved runners-up status on goal difference alone to a seasoned Bolton Arena side.

It was a proud achievement for a team that must now be classed amongst the best in the country, alongside the likes of Birmingham and Bolton Arena.

Wendy Shaw, who works for Opus Business Advisory Group at their Nottingham branch, as a player, coach, and manager of the team, is a keen advocate for the sport.

Along with other members of the team, she has represented at international level for an England representative national team.

Upon learning more about this fantastic sport and the opportunities it gives to older players, Opus were delighted to sponsor

the Collingham Team.

Tim Dolder, Group Partner at Opus, said, “It’s wonderful to be able to support such a well-loved local team as Collingham Ladies Walking Football.

"We wish them all the best for this season.”

This year Lincolnshire has opened its league to two age groups, over 40’s and over 50’s, both of which Collingham Ladies have entered.

The ladies will also represent the Lincolnshire League in the League Champions Cup playing against all other league champions as last year’s Lincolnshire League Champions.

This expansion of Lincolnshire’s regional league is in step with the national mood, as many other local leagues across the country are opening to include women’s teams.

Wendy said there was a growing appetite for women taking up the sport. “Women of all ages are hungry for competitive football," said Wendy.

"No matter your age, if you have that competitive spirit, you never lose it.

"It is not just about the competitive game though, as both the physical and mental health benefits from participation at all levels offer

significant value to those involved.”