IT might be played at a slightly slower pace, but walking hockey does not lose any of the regular game’s fun.
The walking version of field hockey has boomed in England over the last few years, and now Fremantle Hockey Club is bringing the sport to Stevens Reserve.
Fremantle Hockey Club men’s vice president Matt Allan said other than the pace of the game, there were some subtle differences between walking and regular field hockey.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW
“The game is played on a pitch around an eighth of the size of a standard hockey playing field, with no goalkeepers, smaller goals and a few rule modifications,” he said.
“The reduced pitch means fewer players per team, so there’s lots of opportunity to get involved in the game, and whilst we use a regular hockey stick, the balls we play with are a ‘softer’ material than traditional hockey balls.
“Literally anyone can play-research from the UK has seen a wide group of participants that included players in their 30s that had to give up the game due to injury, weight loss groups, people in their 70’s that had never played hockey and everything in between.
“Hockey is truly a sport that can be played from four to 84 years old and we want our club to offer versions of the game for every age and ability.”
The Walking Hockey program will start May 3 at Stevens Reserve, Fremantle from 10am to 2pm.
Registration inquiries or requests for more information can be emailed to jimbanks1@bigpond.com.