Game On Wales Walking Football Festival 2024 (50s, 60s, 70s, Women's, 'Pawb')
University of South Wales Sports Park: Indoor Arena
Supported by CRT Together
60s+, 70+, Women's, 'Pawb Football' Registration 10.00 am. Action 10.30 am to 1.30 pm.
50+ Registration 2.30 pm. Action 3.00 pm to 6.30 pm.
It's back! Game On Wales is proud to host the 9th annual 'Coalfield Cup' Walking Football Festival.
Game On Wales is the sports programme delivered by The Coalfields Regeneration Trust - Charity no: 1074930 - an organisation that celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2024, is an 'Associate Member' of the FAW and exists to champion and strengthen our former coal mining towns and villages.
We welcome our 'CRT Together' colleagues as headline sponsors this year. CRT Together is our programme delivered in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support. It has been set up to support people living with cancer in Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff and the 3 Valleys of Ogmore, Llynfi and Garw, located within the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board area.
The 'Coalfield Cup' is Wales' longest-standing walking football event. It celebrates all the good things about walking football and is open to community and club walking football teams from Wales' former mining communities, namely the local authorities:
Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Carmarthenshire, Flintshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Powys, RCT, Swansea, Torfaen, Wrexham.
The 60s, 70s, women's & 'Pawb football' walking football categories will showcase their skills in the morning on Sunday, 9th June, whereas the ever-popular popular 50+ age category will compete in the afternoon.
We return to the fabulous facilities at the University of South Wales Sport Park. All games will be played indoors.
Team / Tournament Information
• Players must be aged 50+, 60+, 70+ (men's) & 40+ (women) - to enter the appropriate age category. We won't be asking for proof, just trust. We adhere to the Wales Walking Football League rules (as they currently stand) that allow a player who reaches the age of 60 (for example) in the calendar year of the tournament to be registered as an over 60 even though he would be 59 on the day of the tournament. Likewise, one woman over the age of 35 is allowed to compete within a women's 40+ team. These rules are subject to change, so team selection will adhere to the Wales Walking Football League Rules as they stand on 9th June 24.
Football is for everyone. Pawb. So, we've retained the 'new to' / 'open' element. After all, the rules should be the same for all. No age limit. We actively encourage and want to see more female walking players. So this category would be great for mixed teams, players new to walking football, players returning from injury, etc.
Volunteer referees are supplied by our good friends at Wales Walking Football Federation, therefore players and managers will be bound by current disciplinary rules and sanctions. Abuse of volunteers will simply not be tolerated at what is a festival of walking football. We reserve the right to expel any player, coach or team found guilty of such offences.
• Matches 6-a-side with a maximum squad size of 9 players per team. Teams are to wear club colours with individual squad numbers.
• Mixed-gender teams are welcome. Shin pads and goalie gloves are mandatory.
• Max 2 entries per club; players cannot switch between teams.
• Match duration is likely to be 10-12 minutes per game.
Facility Information
• The Tournament will be played across USW's fantastic Indoor Barn 3G (air flow system operational). You must ensure that your wear clean footwear and kit. No 'blades' or screw in studs of any description are allowed. Only training shoes suitable for 3G pitches or moulded boots are acceptable.
• Light refreshments (vending) available to purchase on site. Changing facilities and toilets available.
• Plenty of parking directly on site. Car parks have gated entry system with automatic number plate recognition (no tickets issued) you simply pay £1 at the payment booth when leaving (located outside main reception). Then barrier will then lift when exiting.
Team Registration is only via our online booking system: Sport Reg.
Entry Fee: £50 per team paid online in advance.
Entry Fee subsidies referee expenses, venue and trophy costs.
The event will be photographed and filmed for marketing purposes. Team captains will be asked to complete a 'team sheet' for statistical and safety purposes.
Any updates will be posted on the The Coalfields Regeneration Trust - Wales Facebook page.
How we will use the information: The information will be used to deliver Game On, monitor the success of the programme and help us plan future activities. Sensitive information is collected for health and safety and to ensure that the programme is targeting the right people. Statistical data will be created from this information to support future funding bids. Your details will be stored securely. Data will not be shared with any third parties.
Please see our privacy statement on the Coalfields Regeneration Trust website for more information.
