'A Magical Day' - Parkinson's Taunton Trailblazers v Posset Parkies
It was a day of sunshine, smiles and super football as Taunton Trailblazers played against Posset Parkies in Portishead earlier this month. The mixed Trailblazer team won one, lost one, drew one, and after some superb saves from both keepers, Trailblazers won the final game on penalties.
Four women were in action on the day. Caroline Pike, Trailblazer player and coach; Penny James, goalkeeper; Nic Cruickshank and Jess Thompsett.
L-R Caroline Pike, Penny James, Nic Cruikshank and Jess Thompsett of Parkinson's Taunton Trailblazers
With more inclusive teams being created for people with Parkinson's and other neurological conditions, WF4W spoke to the four women to find out what playing walking football means to them.
Caroline - It makes you feel so uplifted when you're playing with people that have got Parkinson's because everybody feels they're in the same position. Everybody comes on with a smile, leaves with a bigger smile and Taunton Trailblazers for me has been the introduction to walking football. We just enjoy it and we have fun and everything is about looking after each other.
Penny - I found it to be friendly, sociable, but also competitive in an appropriate way.
I've not felt scared or worried or frightened about it at all. But that was a little bit of my initial perception - what if the ball got hit too hard? But it hasn't been like that. There’s enough decent people that play and keep it safe and inclusive for everybody.
Jess - And it's really family inclusive. My daughter's known people here since she's been two. She feels really comfortable with everyone whether they're a part of the guys' team or the girls' team or the mixed team. She feels really included and safe here.
Nic - It’s always a pleasure to play with the Trailblazers. I’m really proud of my sister for creating this really inspiring community that's got people out of armchairs. It’s given people a new lease of life.
Penny - You still use your football skills irrespective of any condition or if you're carrying injuries. So you still get the fun of football but you're more protected from injury. The thing that I marvel at is women and men playing together in a really respectful way. It’s never patronising and everyone can get involved.
Caroline - People with Parkinson's have got a lifelong progressive disease. So anything that can make it more palatable and enjoy every day that you can - this is what walking football does. Life doesn't stop with it. You start another chapter in another way.
To any woman out there thinking about playing walking football, just do it. And if it's not for you, then at least you can give it a go. And then you won't ever say I wish I'd done it.
Action pictures taken by Marie Day at WF4W
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