‘The balance is better, the strength is better, coordination is better’ - Bristol After Stroke team going from strength to strength.
WF4W joined the Bristol After Stroke walking football team for one of their latest training sessions to find out more about how the game can benefit those who have had a stroke.
From first setting foot onto the pitch, there was a friendly, supportive buzz around the Bristol After Stroke team. I got such a lovely warm welcome, and after taking photos, was invited to take part in a few games myself.
The club has grown in numbers from only a handful of people coming along in the very beginning to now more than 30 people who regularly attend sessions. In 2019, Steve Burbage had a stroke. He gave up work, and credits volunteering with Bristol After Stroke as life-changing.
“The rewards are endless especially when you see how your volunteering benefits others.”
As someone who had previously played rugby, football wasn’t exactly the first activity on Steve’s mind. However, alongside other friends at the charity, he now volunteers with the walking football team that has links with the WFA affiliated Bristol United.
“I help with the organisation of the weekly sessions as well as the socials. I encourage people and if they fall over help them get back up again.”
Falls can occur during training sessions, but each time it happened, the care for the players was there to see. Play stopped immediately, there was a check-in with the player(s) involved and when everyone was happy, the game continued. To make the game as safe as possible, there is no tackling. Players keep around a metre away from an opponent to avoid contact.
When I put on my boots, I had the privilege of playing alongside Anne-Marie Scaplehorn, who has been volunteering for more than four years. Anne-Marie had never previously played 11-a-side football but is now loving the weekly training sessions with the team.
“Socially they’re brilliant. There’s such a lovely team here. In terms of the stroke, the balance is better, the strength is better, coordination is better. It’s really magic.”
There are several women who train regularly and Anne-Marie had a message to other women who have had a stroke and are maybe wondering whether walking football is for them: “Come and have a go. It doesn’t matter if you’re very good or not. I can’t play really but I get stuck in and do my best. We’ve had lots of people on sticks, and over time they don’t use them.”
Volunteer and Counsellor, Steve Ramsden, also reflected on how the game can have a huge positive impact on physical wellbeing: “Players, who 20 minutes earlier had struggled to do the gentle warm up exercise without clinging on to the fencing, will suddenly produce a burst of movement that would make any of the physios proud.”
The walking football provides an opportunity every week to exercise, have fun and build friendships.
The Bristol team is very inclusive. Andy Brewer explained that strokes are more prevalent in people from Black and Asian communities and that “40% of the club are now Asian or Black.”
The inclusivity was evident during the training session, with players of different ages, abilities and backgrounds coming together to enjoy the game. Take a look at the gallery below to see more of the session.
Bristol After Stroke Walking Football Club is now looking to play friendlies and are keen to hear from teams who would be interested in taking part.
If you have had a stroke and would like to join the team for Tuesday morning training sessions, or you’d like to arrange a friendly with the team, please get in touch:
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