A five-a-side football league designed to improve men’s fitness and wellbeing is launching in Preston.
Fit Football will see weekly fixtures taking place in Ingol at PlayFootball Preston, Tulketh Community Sports College.
The aim of the league is to create a social environment where men can lose weight through the love of game. The 40 minute games will have roll-on roll-off subs, and extra points will be available for team weight loss.
The league has been created by Prestonians Paul Mountford and Jon Atkinson.
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Paul said: “As we get older it’s hard to stay involved in football or play competitively, the opportunities are just not there. We are hoping that creating this league will allow our veterans a route back into the game and help improve men’s health in the process.
“Weekly league fixtures will take place on a Wednesday evening from 6pm to 9pm. There will also be optional training sessions each Saturday morning with our FA qualified coaches, which are designed to keep fitness levels up.
“Each month we will hold a weigh-in, and there will be regular social activities. We’ll be running competitions too, and we’ve already got a Fantasy Football League going with a year’s membership as the prize.
“Although we’re starting Fit Football for men, once we’re up and running we will hopefully create the same experience for women.”
Open training sessions are being held on Saturday 25 August and Monday 3 September, and the league itself will kick off in late September. At the open sessions, players will be put into evenly-matched teams to make the league as competitive as possible. Individuals and groups of friends of all abilities are welcome to go along.
Games will be officiated by qualified referees, and the league is affiliated with the Lancashire FA, who have provided a grant towards equipment and kit.
Fit Football will cost £17.99 per month, plus £4 weekly match subs. As the league is run not-for-profit, the fees will go towards pitches, equipment, referees, etc.
For more information visit the Fit Football website or get in touch at fitfootballfc@gmail.com.
Will you be joining Fit Football? Let us know in the comments below.