In 2014 Legacy West Midlands received funding from Sports England, a partnership led by Trident Reach. The aim of the project was to promote good health through sport to those who are inactive, focusing on retired football players aged 30 plus. We developed a five a side football league, which began as six teams but has now grown to nine teams, with over 80 participants attending on a weekly basis. The league is held at Goals Perry Barr and plays for 1 hours on Sundays from 11.30am to 12.30pm.
Our target group is members of the Bangladeshi community. Research has found that this group suffers disproportionately from cardio vascular heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. Most of our players are now in their forties, they have all improved and sustained their fitness.
I feel that this league has had a positive impact on mental well-being within the group, and that all the players look forward to meeting up every Sunday.
