Club Director, Andy Bisson, said the scale of funding required for the tournaments would not be fully known until official invites are received.
Walking football allows people, who are not able to participate in traditional 11-a-side games for various reasons including medical issues, to get involved.
Pictured: Walking football is an established sport worldwide with over 50 countries registered for the 2023 world cup.
“Walking football is completely inclusive for anyone aged over 18 regardless of gender, ability or experience. We have players between their 30s and into their 90s,” said Mr Bisson.
Mr Bisson, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, first discovered the sport “accidentally”.
“I was taking my grandson to football and he told me it started at 09:00 when it actually started at 10:00, so we ended up seeing the session on the pitch before his game,” he said.
“I recognised some of the players as ex-Priaulx league and other players looked like they were kicking a ball for the first time, but they were all playing together as equals.
“My sport has always been cricket and I had never taken much interest in football, but when I saw the walking football session I was sold. I have been playing ever since.”
Pictured: Guernsey may have the opportunity to compete in two international tournaments this year.
Walking football games are played with six a side with rolling subs. Matches are played in 25 minute halves with a five minute half time.
Mr Bisson said there are “no barriers” for anyone wanting to play.
“It’s a great avenue of exercise which incorporates various standards of fitness, whether people want to play socially, competitively or at an international level,” he said.
“There are mental health benefits in additional to the physical health benefits. It’s an excellent way to socialise, making new friends as well as reconnecting with old friends. It can also help people going through difficult times including health issues and bereavement.”
The sport was established in the island seven years ago and Guernsey is one of the founding members of the Federation of International Walking Football Associations.
The Guernsey Walking Football Club, a registered charity, has more than 100 registered players and holds sessions four days a week all year round.
Pictured: Both men and women over 18 are able to play with no upper age limit.
“We have two sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at the KGV. The first session is free for every player and Wednesday sessions are always free for everyone and KGV kindly waive the pitch hire costs on Wednesdays,” said Mr Bisson.
“We charge £5 per player for other sessions to try and help cover the costs of the pitch hire which are about £18,000 per year. Everyone involved in running the club does so on a voluntary basis and we try to do what we can to fundraise.
“It would be fantastic if we could find a sponsor and I’d encourage anyone, individuals or companies, interested in donating funds or sponsoring the club to contact us. Any donations would be gratefully received.”
Mr Bisson said that the club was currently running a trial to bring the sport to residential homes in the island.
“We have started going to a care home once a week, completely free of charge. We want as many people as possible to be able to access to this great sport. We can’t offer transport or carers, but we can do our part to help bring the sport to people,” he said.
Pictured: People with health conditions including asthma are encouraged to try walking football.
Mr Bisson continued: “We are hoping to have gradual growth and, if this first trial goes well in the care home, we will certainly look to expand it to other homes across the island.”
Mr Bisson said that 80-90% of walking football games are mixed-gendered, but the island has also hosted men’s and women’s games.
“We hosted the inaugural women’s match between England and Guernsey at the KGV followed by the inaugural men’s over-70s match,” he said.
“We will be playing in the 2023 World Nation’s Cup (postponed from 2020 due to the pandemic) which are mixed-gendered matches. There are over 50 countries registered to take part.
“This year there are two international tournaments, one in England and one in Brittany which we are very likely to be invited to, but the cost may be prohibitive.”
Pictured: There are up to eight weekly sessions of walking football held at KGV.
Mr Bisson said that the club is actively seeking sponsorship.
“Any sponsorship money would be spent locally for flights and kit. We would ask players to fund their own costs of accommodation and food, unless any sponsorship money was available to assist with those expenses,” he said.
Mr Bisson said he would encourage “anyone” to try the sport.
“If you think you might be interested, please turn up and speak to one of the coaches. We are inclusive for everyone and we hold medical record sheets for all players in the event of an emergency,” he said.
“The sport is increasingly in popularity all the time and we would actively encourage people to give it a go.”
