Rossborough's Neil Little gets set for World Cup kick off
Here at Rossborough, we are thrilled that our very own Neil Little, is joining the Jersey team at the inaugural FIWFA Walking Football World Nations Cup.
Taking place at St George’s Park, the home of the England national teams, between 23 and 27 August, Neil and the Jersey team will compete against 15 other national teams from all over the world.Neil took time out of his busy day as our Commercial New Business Executive, to tell us a bit more about the event, and the growing popularity of walking football.
How does it feel to represent Jersey on the global stage in the first Walking Football World Cup?
Proud isn’t the word, I’m bursting to get there and play against the other nations and see how we measure up. The global interest and the fact this first World Cup is being played at England’s home of football, St Georges Park, is fantastic and means the profile of the sport can only grow. I’ve missed a couple of training sessions due to minor injury, so I’m even keener to get there now!
How long have you played Walking Football for and how did you get involved?
I played my first season in late 2022-23, with First Tower United. A friend of mine asked me to come along, I think they needed a defender as everyone was hell bent on scoring goals!
My older friends (sorry guys!) were playing already, and kept talking about how much they enjoyed it. I was a bit blasé about it, until I did a training session and realised my legs didn’t work the next day! I hadn’t appreciated the differences between this, and say, 5-a-side football, which I still play weekly as well. It's much harder than it looks and a great workout.
Are there any different rules?
No running! You have to have one foot on the floor at all times, there is no heading and you play kick-ins instead of throw-ins. Other than that is the regular FA sanctioned game
What do you think sets walking football apart from traditional football, and how has it influenced your own playing style?
I mentioned this to players at 5-a-side the other day. I’ve learnt to take my time a bit more, and play the simple ball to receive it back, involving everyone around me, rather than looking for the “Hollywood pass” we’re all guilty of from time to time. Walking football certainly does give you a different perspective.
Is there any special training for such a big event?
You really have to make sure you have learnt the rules properly, especially because the World Cup rules differ from normal league rules, and we have to work as a team to build our tactics around them. I won’t go into detail in case Alan Shearer is reading this, but our coach, David Kennedy, has a clear view in his mind as to how he wants us to play, so it’s transferring that thought process onto the pitch, making sure we do our own jobs and cover each other when needed. Communication is key.
The World Cup brings together players from diverse backgrounds and cultures. How do you foster team spirit and build connections with teammates?
It builds every time we get together. Even injured players will stand in the rain to watch the training sessions, to build that team ethic, relationships, and prevent knowledge gaps from absence. A lot of the guys have known each other for years from playing in Jersey League Football, but I arrived on the island when I was 35, so it’s a case of learning people's strengths and weaknesses, making sure we all have a singular goal, and of course ripping anyone who stands on the ball and falls over!
Walking Football is uniquely intergenerational, allowing people in their 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and beyond to enter into competitive sport. How does this make it so special?
Everyone I have spoken to or played with and against in the last twelve months talks about the enjoyment of just being able to play a competitive game. Many players can’t run due to dodgy knees, they’ve had broken limbs, and are just not mobile enough to partake in open age football. This is a platform to continue playing, work the body and thus benefit the mind, and have a good laugh afterwards over a cup of tea and a sausage sandwich! It’s worth remembering we have league winners, ex-pros and Murratti players in the mix, so the standard and mentality is as high as it can be.
But the camaraderie is possibly even more important than the game itself with huge long and short term benefits for both physical and mental health. For some guys, it’s their only chance of socialising or getting out of the house. I’ve been ‘nut-megged’ by grandads who follow up with a cheeky wink as they get back into position, they love it!
Any advice you would give to people considering taking up the sport?
Have fun and keep fit! Life is hard enough without having access to a sport we used to be able to play, just because we’ve moved on a few years. So, take advantage of the facilities and leagues on your doorstep, join a team, make new friends and be part of one of the fastest growing sports communities in the world, because scoring goals never gets old.
How can other islanders get involved?
The Jersey FA website is the best place to start, and the guys there are tremendously helpful. There is an established league for over 45’s as well as over 60’s, so speak to anyone involved and you can maybe join a team or create your own. It really is a fast growing sport here and worldwide.
