This weekend the club is delighted to be working with the charity Silver Fit to showcase fitness for older people

This weekend sees us host Welling United at Champion Hill. At half time, we have a walking football showcase taking place on the pitch. Our half time demonstration will see a South London Derby from the world of walking football. The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs will be taking on the Millwall Methuselah.

Over the last few years, walking football has become one of the latest sporting crazes to sweep the country. It has very specific rules that outlaw all running and allows no contact between players. Over-head height restrictions and indirect free kicks ensure that the sport is played safely with full consideration of the participants’ age.

Teams are either 5 or 6-a-side. As a result of these rules, games are played at a slower pace, often on state of the art 3G artificial grass pitches, thus reducing the threat of pain, discomfort and injury, with players briskly walking through matches. This allows people who have loved the sport all their lives to once again safely get back to playing, whilst also introducing the sport to people who perhaps have never considered playing before.

Our half time showcase will be provided by the charity organisation Silverfit and will include a special performance by the Silverfit cheerleaders.

Silverfit is an exciting, rapidly expanding charity led by older people for older people. They aim to promote happier, healthier ageing through physical activity and at the same time combat social isolation. Their `sandwich` formula of socialising /exercise/socialising for older people is unique, increasing activity levels and helping people make new friends, feel more confident and enjoy life as they age.

By promoting happier, healthier ageing through affordable physical activity, and at the same time combat social isolation, they aim to improve older people's quality of life and also save money spent by the NHS and social care providers . Many members say their increased fitness means they attend GP surgeries less often, or are on reduced medication.

Silverfit’s remarkably high retention reflects the fact that the social element is as highly valued, if not more so, as the physical activity. They make sure no-one is excluded because of cost, so membership is just £5 per year, and sessions are then either free or £1-£3 to attend, depending on the funding at the venue.

To find out more about the work of Silverfit or to get involved, please visit www.silverfit.org.uk.

We look forward to welcoming the Silverfit members and their families to Champion Hill!