Walking Football Caribbean in collaboration with The Jason Roberts Foundation will be sending a multi-country team to the Walking Football World Cup finals that will be held at the home of the England Football Team, St George’s Park, Burton-on-Trent between 24th and 26th August 2023. The Caribbean team will be joined by 21 nations from Africa, Europe, North America and Australasia.
About The Collaborators
Walking Football Caribbean was founded by Shaun Merchant, Ken Guiste, Gregg Dalmar and George Evans, walking footballers who share a passion to develop the sport they love, both in the UK and the Caribbean.
The Jason Roberts Foundation invests in local communities to change outcomes for the most marginalised in the United Kingdom and Caribbean.
Community is the enduring centre of Jason Roberts’ story. An activist, former professional footballer, media personality, and the current Director of Development at CONCACAF, Jason Roberts, MBE, launched his Foundation in 2007.
Otis Roberts, CEO of The Jason Roberts Foundation said “This collaboration makes absolute sense to us at JRF. As a community based charity we are well aware of the inactivity that is evident in the Caribbean Community once that 40 marker is reached. Walking Football is a great way for people to stay active and be a part of something that is social and has many health benefits. Once folks get active again who knows what they’ll do next.”
JRF is fully aligned with Walking Football Caribbean’s mission is to improve, maintain and promote the physical, mental and social wellbeing of older adults through walking football.
In addition, ex-professional footballer, Mike Adams, former Grenada National Head Coach, National Walking Football Coach of the Year and South-East England Regional Coach has officially joined the Walking Football Caribbean’s team in the capacity of coach. “We are delighted and very grateful to have Mike on board.” George Evans, WFC co-founder. “Mike is widely regarded as one of the best walking football coaches around.”
Mike says, “I’ve been coaching this sport for around 5 years now and have been alarmed at the lack of players of black origin that participate. It’s a great game that takes more out of you than you may think. For the elite player, it’s still competitive and fast paced as the ball is moving rather you. At the participation level it really is a great way to get and keep fit whilst minimising the potential of injury in this non-contact version of the beautiful game. The fact that we are entering a Caribbean team into this competition is an opportunity that I could not resist.”
What is Walking Football
It is exactly what it sounds like – a standard game of typically 6-a-side non-contact football where players walk instead of run. It’s designed to help people get fit, maintain an active lifestyle no matter what their age and fitness level, as well as support for people getting back into football.
This sport is entirely inclusive and is suitable for all ages,” says Walking Football Caribbean co-founder, Gregg Dalmar, “whether you want to play socially at your nearest club or competitively via local leagues and tournaments that ultimately lead to international events such as the World Cup of Nations, which includes three ex-professional footballers per team.”
The Bigger Picture
Whilst the ‘World Cup of Nations’ is the biggest stage in which to enter the sport. Walking football is played by hundreds of thousands of people in over 70 countries. The health and mental benefits for the Caribbean Community—particularly, males who are 40 plus—are numerous.
Chronic Illnesses such as Diabetes, Dementia and Parkinson’s have plagued Caribbean communities for decades and Walking football provides a low-impact cardiovascular workout.
It helps improve endurance, strength, and overall fitness. Regular participation can lead to better cardiovascular health, increased stamina, and improved muscle tone. Fantastic for mental stimulation, stress relief and social interaction. It’s designed to help people get fit, maintain an active lifestyle no matter what their age and fitness level, as well as to support people getting back into football.
Our aim is to:
To engage and work with all walking football groups/clubs, partners, participants, local authorities, health services and any other organisations interested in the development of walking football.
Increase participation by managing, supporting, developing and promoting walking football in the Caribbean.
Create and support a sustainable competition structure throughout the Caribbean at all appropriate age levels in conjunction with existing competitions that encourages full social integration.
Want to participate or get more info on the 2023 Walking Football World Cup Of Nations?
For trials, partnerships and sponsorship opportunities send an email to
walkingfootballcaribbean@gmail.com
Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk
Those unable to attend can stream all games LIVE on Youtube. A community outreach program will also be running before and during the event.
