Walking rugby picks up speed as Park House FC launch new team
After a successful summer trial, Park House now have a fully-fledged walking rugby team of all ages.
Having gauged interest and receiving overwhelming positive feedback, former player Geoff Willis had the team up and running just weeks later.
Now eight months in, the team have over 20 players, played matches and competed in a tournament.
Geoff said, “I cobbled together some rules from touch rugby. It was more of a tester to see do people like it? Does it work? Is it going to run? And it did run, or walked should I say!”
Park House is one of only a few clubs in Kent playing walking rugby, along with Whitstable Redshanks and Bexley Rugby Club.
Offering a new form of exercise and community, it has enticed those new to rugby and those wanting to play a slower, steadier game.
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“I had it in my head that it would be 40-year-olds and upwards, but since then we’ve had younger players join. An 18-year-old lad plays when he’s back from university, he doesn’t play rugby union but enjoys this version of the game, as well as a girl in her early 20s,” said Geoff.
Other players include ex-mini parents; their kids may have stopped playing but they’ve wanted to stay part of the club.
“I was sceptical at first, but the players are having the time of their life,” said Geoff. “We are only touching the tip of the iceberg, there is huge potential.”
The biggest goal now is recruiting players outside the club to help grow the game. “It’s for anyone and any age to come have some fun, let off some steam and not worry about anything.”
