Football gives people with Parkinson's 'new lease of life'

A football manager who leads a walking football team for people with Parkinson's disease said the sport gives the players "a new lease of life".

Nigel Osmond has managed about 28 walking footballers at Portishead Town FC, near Bristol, in weekly sessions since May last year.

On Saturday, teams from across the country played in the first South West Parkinson's walking football festival.

Osmond said: "They've had a new lease of life. The benefits to them are starting to come out now. I don't want to ask too much, I just want to make sure it's fun for them."

UK-wide, more than 166,000 people are thought to be living with the disease, which impacts mobility, speech, focus, sleep and independence. There is currently no cure.

The number is expected to increase due to population growth and ageing.

Twelve teams played in the event at Portishead Town FC, organised by Parkinson's UK, alongside the club and the Walking Football Association.

"We never in our wildest dreams thought we'd host these types of events; we've moved on well," Osmond said.

"When Parkinson's UK contacted us two years ago, we jumped at the chance. From then, we've gone from strength to strength.

"A lot of the research is going into this type of thing, sports and activities.

"In slight moments, they can forget their condition and move around as normal as everyone else. You see it each week, it's mind-blowing."

Among the teams were Abbeymead Rovers from Gloucester, Bristol City Robins from Bristol, The Shakers from Swindon, and Taunton Trailblazers from Somerset.

Joe Gregory, who has had Parkinson's for seven years and was one of the participants, said: "Events like this make it really worthwhile."

Ian Rogers, Fighting Fit Football from Watford, said: "The networking this football will generate is priceless.

"People with Parkinson's feel as if they're excluded from the community. But it's about acceptance."

Phil Lindley, from Parkinson's UK, said: "It's an opportunity for people to come together and enjoy the sport, and give people that confidence to try something a bit different."

He added: "Walking football is growing exponentially across the UK.

"You don't need to have a background in walking football. As long as you've got a kit, you can pretty much get started straight away.

"That's the beauty in being able to play together."

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