Cumberland FA is looking to encourage people who are deaf or hard of hearing to play walking football in Workington.
The Walking Football for the Deaf sessions aim to introduce deaf or hard of hearing people to the world of football, with a view to improving health and well-being for participants new to sport, or who may not have participated for a number of years.
The sessions are supported by Cumbria Deaf Association, in association with Cumberland Council and Cumberland FA and funded by Sellafield Ltd via Active Cumbria.
The sessions are aimed at anyone 18 and over with all levels of hearing loss and who do not need to use sign language if they want to play.
Sessions launched this week at Workington Leisure Centre 3G pitches and they now take place weekly on Mondays 7pm to 8pm at the leisure centre.
Cumberland FA said: “With no running, jogging or heading – and tackling with reduced physical contact – walking football is a fun and safe way for players to enjoy football and socialise together.
“Ideal for anyone who just wants to play football for fun, walking football opens the door for players who want to continue playing, or want to return to the game, or who haven’t played that much before.”
Each week there will be a British Sign Language interpreter provided. The facilitator is deaf and uses sign language, enabling communication to be easier with participants which in turn will support players throughout the session and develop their confidence in a football setting.
Anyone interested in taking part or would like more information, should contact Rebecca Kiggins on [email protected], or text only mobile number /WhatsApp 07940 994446.
