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Walking soccer tourney set to kick off March 11 in Nanoose Bay

Event to feature competitive and relaxed levels of play
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Walking soccer is played outdoors at the Parksville Community Park during spring and summer. (PQB News file photo)

VanIsle Walking Soccer will hold their Fourth Annual Invitational Walking Soccer Tournament in Nanoose Bay, on Saturday, March 11.

It will be staged at the Arbutus Meadows Arena in Nanoose Bay with the event kicking off at 11 a.m. and it will run until 3:30 p.m.

There will be teams coming from the Mainland and the Victoria area as well as teams from Parksville Qualicum Beach. There will be competitive and relaxed levels of play. For those interested in watching the games, the event is free of charge.

Walking soccer on Vancouver Island started right here in Parksville in March 2016. It has been picked up by other clubs and organizations all over Canada. The game is played at Arbutus Meadows during the fall and winter seasons and moves outdoors at the Parksville Community Park during the spring and summer months.

Rob Jonas, who started the modified game here in Parksville Qualicum Beach, said it is currently the largest growing sport in the world.

READ MORE: B.C.’s first walking soccer tournament no regular walk in the park

“We started here with eight players in 2016,” said Jonas. “There are now leagues sprouting up all over Canada and the sport is massive around the world, especially in Europe. In fact, the first World Cup of walking soccer is being held in Derby, England this summer.”

Jonas added that there is now a national walking soccer website allowing all the Canadian groups to interact.

The non-contact sport is excellent for aged out players, said Jonas, especially those with new or damaged hips and knees, and beginners.

“It is an ideal coed sport which provides a light aerobic workout and it has been hailed by kinesiologists for its benefits to seniors,” Jonas said.

At the recent 55+ BC Games in Victoria, Jonas presented the walking soccer opportunity to the games organizers and has now been approved as a new sport to begin in 2023 at the Abbotsford Games.

— NEWS Staff, submitted

VanIsle Walking Soccer is grateful for the support they get from the Regional District of Nanaimo, Save-On-Foods, its parent group Parksville Golden Oldies Sports Association and the Rocking Horse Pub.

For a full overview of the game, the rules, video features and information just check out their website at www.vanislewalkingsoccer.org

And if you are interested in becoming a player (age 55+), please contact Jonas at robjonas13@gmail.com

— NEWS Staff, submitted