Gloucester Old Boys RFC walking rugby player and manager Roger Standen has stressed the importance of getting involved in community sport, even if you’re body doesn’t permit the physical aspect any longer.
“It’s important to get outside and outdoors, and the social side is great as I’ve been a Gloucester Rugby supporter for 20 years.
“There are so many local clubs that you can go and watch rugby at with similar minded people and this is a great example.
“The exercise is definitely good for me, some good walking once a week which I definitely need at 40!”
The Myres Road based walking team has transformed since Standen decided to try it three years ago, and having already been involved at the club he knew exactly what the club means to the community and people of all abilities.
“I was already involved at the club as a coach for the under sixes, and I decided to come down having not played rugby since school.
“I wasn’t sure I’d remember what I was taught in school or be able to play it!
“We started with the basics with walking rugby, and I’ve now played three ‘vets’ games as well.
“We now have 12-15 players that come down every Tuesday at 18:30.”
There currently is no proper walking rugby league in Gloucestershire, however the club make sure to make an effort to welcome people down to support the first and second teams whenever they have a game.
“It’s very family orientated, if you come down on a matchday we let the kids play out while the first team are playing.
“We normally have at least one event on, so last weekend the second team were playing within half an hour of the first team so there were two matches for people to enjoy.
“The bar was open and the barbeque was going, everyone had a great time.
“I really encourage anyone to come down and I think you would be surprised at how much you enjoy it.”
Gloucester Old Boys RFC is one of Gloucestershire’s oldest rugby clubs having been founded in 1904, and despite this feat, Standen wants to take the walking rugby side to another level.
“We’ve now been asked to play at the Gloucester walking rugby festival with the Gloucester Rugby foundation and we’ve made contact with other teams in the area.
“I’m really hoping that I’ll be able to sort out a proper fixture list and maybe even a real league with all the other clubs, so that is definitely something I’m looking to get off the ground if possible.”
You can find more information on all things Gloucester Old Boys RFC on their website here
