Our walking rugby programme is open to the 50 and over demographic for people of all backgrounds and experiences to come together and dive into this new adaptation of our brilliant sport.

Stourbridge Rugby’s Community Department are always looking for ways to introduce and implement new and exciting opportunities for the wider community through the sport of rugby. A vast amount of research has gone into the benefits of participating in sports and exercise for the demographic our walking rugby programme targets. Research has shown that regardless of age, income, and sex among many other things, participants have greater self-related health, lower depressive symptoms, and greater daily laughter compared with those that do not participate.

Based on the worldwide information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, some characteristics of the population at higher risk had been identified, such as being older, and those with hypertension, diabetes or cardiovascular diseases to name a few. On the one hand, despite a period of quarantine being the best option to stop the rapid spread infections, this has not come without other negative impacts. The implementation of this sudden quarantine caused a radical change in the lifestyle of our community whereby our physical activity and exercise modes were restricted to some extent – ways of maintaining an adequate health status, to counteract the negative consequences of some diseases, or even to guarantee an active aging by reducing the risk of frailty. It has also been identified that the exercises involved in walking rugby can prevent the symptoms and ongoing deterioration of mental health diseases such as dementia by up to 30%.

This recent way of life has also had negative psychological effects, including post-traumatic stress symptoms, confusion, and anger. These effects were promoted by stressor factors including longer quarantine duration, infection fears, frustration, boredom, inadequate supplies, inadequate information, financial loss, and stigma.

Before, and after the pandemic, we are here for you general well-being, and to get exercising (lightly) and socialising. Our programme also offers a new way to assist with injury prevention, rehabilitation and recovery, making for a rather unique opportunity for 50 and overs.

All of this would not be able to happen without the funding from The National Lottery Community Fund and Co-op Food, Sandringham Place. Through the kindness of these two organisations, we are able to offer this programme completely FREE to all participants. If you, or anyone you know may be interested in our walking rugby initiative, please get in contact with Clarkson McLeod today.

Call: 07494745694

Email: clarkson.mcleod@community-group.co.uk