Walking football team steps into spotlight

A North East women’s walking football team is preparing to represent the region on the national stage after securing backing from a fast-growing digital marketing agency.

The Teesside-based squad will compete in the Walking Football Association’s Women’s Super League tournament in Gloucester on May 17, marking the first time a North East team has entered the competition.

The players, most of whom are aged over 40, have received new kits ahead of the tournament thanks to sponsorship from Newcastle digital agency The Digital Lighthouse.

Founded two years ago, The Digital Lighthouse specialises in paid search, paid social and digital analytics, working with clients including Guinness World Records, Nursem and Fairstone.

Tom Chandler, founder of The Digital Lighthouse, said: “When we heard the team needed to update their kit ahead of the tournament, that was an easy yes from us. 

“As a business, we can fully get behind any local initiative that’s built around community, sport, teamwork and keeping people involved in something they genuinely enjoy.

“The team is full of amazing stories of ladies who are getting back into football again. 

“Some for the first time in many years, some who, in their teens, simply didn’t have the opportunities or funding to be able to right to the top of the game their abilities probably deserved. 

“As an office, the clubs we all support have all had dismal football seasons, so we hope the ladies can finally give us something to cheer about and bring some silverware back to the North East at the weekend.”

WFA North East regional manager Janette Hynes added: “We’re so thrilled that The Digital Lighthouse has supported us in this manner. 

“Once we had our place confirmed in the tournament, we’ve been determined to give a great account of ourselves, and the ladies will really look the part in the new strips. 

“We’re enormously grateful to Tom and all his team at The Digital Lighthouse.

“We’re going there with the aim of bringing some silverware back to the North East.”

The sponsorship comes as walking football continues to grow in popularity, offering older players the chance to return to competitive sport.

Among those heading to Gloucester is 61-year-old Saltburn striker Jackie Freeman, who reignited her passion for football after returning to the sport in her late 50s.

Jackie previously played regularly as a teenager and was selected for national trials but was unable to attend because of travel costs. 

She said: “It was sickening. 

“I did not have a job and couldn’t find a way to pay.”

After raising a family and running a shoe repair business for more than 30 years, she returned to football two years ago with Redcar Town Ladies Development and Stokesley walking football team.

Janette added: “Jackie’s story is typical of a number of the ladies on the squad, who loved football when they were young but sadly weren’t afforded the opportunities some young girls now get. 

“It’s such a thrill to see women’s football finally get the platform it deserves, and the walking version allows a lot of veterans to reconnect with the game they love.”

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