Scunthorpe United's ExtraTime project was launched in January 2009 and is designed to deliver an opportunity for both men and women over the age of 50 to get back into sport. The project includes new sports like football, swimming, netball and the SUFC walking group to meet the growing demand from those who are most at need.
Over 50's Football
Over 50’s football was set up by the Scunthorpe United Trust to provide a safe environment for men over the age of 50 to either get back into or start playing football.
The sessions normally include a light warm up, and several small-sided games which always provide plenty of fun.
The days for the sessions are every Monday from 5.30pm until 6.30pm at Glanford Park and every Thursday from 11am until 12pm at the brand new Premier Pitch facility.
New social activities have been arranged to complement this training, such as:
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Coffee mornings
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Wii challenge evening
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Ground tours
Ladies netball
Scunthorpe United have also just introduced free netball sessions in conjunction with North Lincolnshire Council and Humber Sports Partnership's Back to Netball scheme.
Swimming lessons
Another new initiative that Scunthorpe United have introduced is swimming lessons to those men and women over 55 years of age who are either not very confident swimmers or people who want to learn to swim, they currently have around 45 people attending these lessons each week.
Pete and Beryl Nurding, Scunthorpe United's ExtraTime participants, commented: " We would like to take the opportunity to thank the 'Over 50 Scunthorpe United Trust' and the 'Walk 4 Life' team for organising the Glanford Park walks.
Having moved to North Lincolnshire from Gloucestershire a few years ago we have not had the benefit of knowing where there are safe walks away from traffic. We used to promise ourselves that we would go for regular walks but pounding the pavements didn't always give us the necessary incentive. However since we have been introduced to Walk 4 Life we now have that incentive and are already looking forward to the next one.
What a lovely way to meet new people and hopefully get fitter into the bargain. We do hope that these organised walks will continue for a long time into the future."
The walk is normally a bracing three miles starting off from Scunthorpe United’s Ground and winding through the surrounding countryside and public walkways. They have on average 10 - 20 people taking part in the walks on the last Monday of each month which is then followed by a healthy two course meal in the Glanford Park Restaurant at the reduced price of £6 for the walkers group.
To learn more about the SUFC Walk 4 Life group please contact Russ Cave from the health walks development on 01724 297342.
