A new walking football group for deaf and hard-of-hearing people has been launched in West Cumbria.

The new walking football group, which has been set up by Cumbria Deaf Association with the help of funding from Sellafield Ltd. via Active Cumbria, launched on Monday, November 4, with the first session being led by Cumberland FA's Ray Sempill.

 

The session will be held every week on Monday evenings at Workington's Leisure Centre on Griffin Street and will also be led by former Carlisle City Deaf FC manager Jayson Kiggins

Rebecca Kiggins, Cumbria Deaf Association's West Cumbria community engagement coordinator was on hand to express her delight after the new group's launch.

She said: "We had so much fun.

"Those who turned up last night said they enjoyed it, and we got a good work-out in, even though it was walking, we walked fast and tried our best to win, we got a lot of laughs and sweaty too.

"The walking football for the deaf group aims to introduce deaf and hard of hearing people into the world of football, with a view to improving health and well-being for participants new to the sport, or who may not have participated for a few years."

Joe Battrick, project officer for Active Cumbria in Allerdale and Copeland also expressed his excitement at being able to support the new group and its aims.

added: "We at Active Cumbria are delighted to have been able to provide a grant from Sellafield Ltd’s Sport and Physical Activity Fund towards the setup of these football sessions for the deaf community.

"It’s been wonderful to see the success of the launch event, and we look forward to watching them grow and flourish over the coming weeks and months."