A GROUP of seniors put their soccer skills to the test at the James Smith Recreation Area on Wednesday morning.
Logan City Council's Live Well Logan program has provided funding support for Football Queensland to organise an over 50's walking soccer free trial over the next four weeks at Greenbank.
The program is designed to keep senior residents active and socially engaged with a network of friends.
Walking soccer is a non contact game with the ball kept below head height.
Games are typically played with either four, five or six people per team.
Greenbank's 50 Plus Club have embraced the initiative with 12 people on the field for the first week.
Club member Sharon Webster said the game encouraged some healthy competition between friends.
"As you get older your life changes and your friends change so it is important to come together and have a laugh together," she said.
Football Queensland's walking football development officer Alan Templeton said the program had a track record of promoting positive change for seniors who are socially isolated or lack regular exercise.
"It helps with weight loss... they feel more engaged, happier, fitter and lighter on their feet after playing," he said.
"A lot of people are isolated so we don't get teams coming down, we get individuals and they tell their friends and it snowballs so more people are having a go."
Walking Football games are played in 70 to 90 minute sessions with regular 10 minute breaks.
Anyone interested in taking part can join a session at the James Smith Recreation area, near the Greenbank Community Centre on Wednesdays from 8.30am.
