A FOOTBALL taster session for older football stars will take place in Andover this week.

The Andover and District Football League are teaming up with Test Valley Borough Council to set up a series of Walking Football taster sessions in the town.

The hour long sessions, aimed at people over the age of 50, will take place each week for three months, with TVBC providing the initial funding for the project.

The indoor sessions, which usually consist of a five or six-a-side format, are played entirely at walking pace with both running and tackling classed as fouls.

ADFL secretary, Gordon Hopkins, said of the sport: “Time or space doesn’t permit the list of pluses this can have both socially and physically on ‘older people’.

“There must be many folk who were involved in football years ago, and now in their 60s, 70s and even 80s, that still have a yearning to be involved.

“The medical side thoroughly applauds the physical activity giving a little exercise and for the mind to be focussed on the game.

“There is also a social side to the fun reducing isolation amongst older people and here there is company with like-minded guys where interaction is proved to be a very positive thing.”

The first taster session will take place between 5.40pm and 6.40pm on Tuesday January, 12 at Andover Leisure Centre.

Sessions will then take place each week at the same time and place for the following three months.

For more information contact Gordon Hopkins: 01264 748156.

Alternatively e-mail: gordon.hopkins@talktalk.net.