Walking Cricketand the U3A - The health benefits (Physical, mental & social) of keeping active - U3A Site Builder
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Walking Cricket and the U3A
The health benefits
(Physical, mental & social)
of keeping active.
Mac McKechnie
U3A Walking Cricket Adviser
22nd November 2019 General Presentation
To U3A Groups
Being in poor shape can lead to Specialist Appointments and ongoing medication or worse.
I’m not old, I have just been young for a very long time. The
trick to aging gracefully is to enjoy it.
Walking Sports! Do you ever look back on your younger sporting days, and wish you could re-live those golden moments? Or perhaps you’ve never been very sporty, but you’ve often watched others experience the camaraderie of being part of a team and felt a little envious? Or maybe you’re recovering from an accident or illness and have been encouraged to exercise more, but just don’t feel very motivated and have no idea how to get started? Yes, you’ve got a few more years behind you now. Yes, you’ve got a few more aches and pains to commiserate about. But that doesn’t have to stop you enjoying the physical, mental and social boost walking sports can bring. Staying active as you get older can help you live a happier and healthier life, as exercise is proven to do all kinds of good things for your body and mind – from decreasing cholesterol and preventing osteoporosis to reducing stress and helping with the onset of dementia. In fact, there are remarkable walking sports players living with dementia who find they benefit from the exercise. Walking sports especially are a fun way to keep your energy up, make new friends, and look after your health. And after a session, it will be the best tasting slice of cake and a cuppa with friends that you’ll have all week!
There are many types of Walking Sports available – including walking groups. ❖Walking Groups ❖Walking Football ❖Walking Cricket ❖Walking Netball ❖Walking Hockey ❖Walking Basketball ❖Walking Touch Rugby
Walking Cricket Walking Cricket is the sport you love, just played at a slower pace – so it’s perfect for people who are older, or less physically able, but who still want to enjoy the thrill of the game. Walking Cricket involves a team of six to eight players (three to four pairs). Everything is walking, including the ‘runs’ and fielding, and a match lasts about an hour and a half. A soft ball is also used. Why play Walking Cricket? Whether you’re batting, bowling, or fielding, it’s a great form of cardio exercise. Plus it improves both agility and hand-eye coordination. If you ever enjoyed playing rounders at school, you’ll love a game of Walking Cricket. Get a group of guys and gals together, as Walking Cricket is a very social sport, filled Barnsley U3A Walking Cricket Group with team spirit and fun.
Certainly for Yorkshire, our main partner
YCF (Yorkshire Cricket Foundation) – the
charity arm or YCCC have so kindly
donated an engraved annual shield the
“Yorkshire Walking Cricket Shield” which
should lead to walking cricket groups in
Yorkshire playing knockout matches
culminating in a final for the “YCF Shield”
at the end of the summer annually.
This year (2019) this final was between
Barnsley U3A V Doncaster U3A
In late September.
Barnsley U3A. - Winners of the YCF Walking Cricket
Next year it is anticipated that at least Shield Final 2019
“Wakefield Warriors”, and hopefully
Sheffield, and Huddersfield U3A’s and
Notton C.C. will take part as well.
“At the ECB, we have recently launched our new five-year
strategy called ‘Inspiring Generations’.
Within that strategy it is very important to us that All
generations are inspired, and Walking Cricket is one way in
which this can happen.
For people who are aged 50 and over to have the opportunity
to access our great game through the walking cricket format
is truly inspirational!
The obvious benefits of sport for all is just as important for
people as they get older. Playing walking cricket has physical
and mental health and wellbeing benefits as well as social
engagement for people, some of whom may not see other
people from week to week.
The work being done by Mac and the U3A is fantastic and Richard Hill MBE
again, inspirational!” Disability Cricket Support
Officer
England and Wales Cricket
Regards, Board
Lord's Cricket Ground,
Richard Hill MBE St John's Wood,
London, NW8 8QZ, England
ECB Disability Cricket Support Officer
Kendal James the Participation Manager of Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, the
charity arm of Yorkshire County Cricket Club is our so enthusiastic partner in our
Yorkshire Walking Cricket growth plans. Kendal writes:
“The Yorkshire Cricket Foundation (YCF) is the official charity and
community arm of Yorkshire County Cricket Club. We are a registered charity
that delivers community projects across the county. Using the power of cricket,
the Foundation aims to make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of those living
in Yorkshire. The Yorkshire Cricket Foundation has 4 key themes, Participation,
Health & Wellbeing, History & Heritage and Education.
The Yorkshire Cricket Foundation are currently working towards developing a
Walking Cricket model for the county. Walking Cricket aligns well with both the
Kendal James
Participation Manager
Participation and Health and Wellbeing themes, facilitating more opportunities to Yorkshire Cricket
more people physically active in a social wellbeing capacity. Walking Cricket is Foundation
an ideal game for the older generation as there is no physical contact involved
like there can be in walking football, therefore we feel it meets the needs of the
older generation who may be in fear of getting injured.
We are aware the average living age on the rise, it is important to consider the
well-being and care of adults who are living longer and ensure that their social
and psychological needs are
met. We feel Walking Cricket is the perfect way to remain involved with the game
and meet new people whilst staying active”
“Hello any group considering Walking Cricket. I cannot be
with you to endorse Mac’s presentation, but would like to add
something, although it is from a distance from the cricket
loving County of Surrey.
Walking Cricket has brought cricket back to people who
thought their playing days were long behind them. It’s low
impact exercise, social, and most importantly a lot of fun!
Mixed genders, mixed abilities, it has something for everyone.
Darren Talbot
Managing Director
It has been a pleasure working with Mac to get the Barnsley
U3A Walking Cricket off the ground. Progress has been
amazingly swift and the work they have done there has set a
strong base for Walking Cricket to expand throughout the
country. We look forwards to continue working with Mac and
the U3A to make this happen.”
www.twenty20cricketcompany.com
“At our very first match, I had the privilege of bowling the
very first over of walking cricket ever played in Yorkshire.
As the sport grows, which it will (just look at walking
football) I will look back on that first cold slightly damp
Wednesday morning in January 2019 with deep affection.
My vision for the future is a network of other walking
cricket groups across our area, forming in effect a mini
league, that we can play each other occasionally to add
interest, although our main aim is as usual to have fun! One
knock on effect from press coverage is that I get individuals
from outside the U3A who are ex cricket players a bit long
in the tooth like us, ringing me up wanting to join, so it is a
Mac McKechnie
good feeling to be able to steer them through U3A Walking Cricket Group Co-ordinator
membership first”. Barnsley U3A, and National U3A
Subject Adviser for Walking Cricket.
mckechnie31@btinternet.comI am 72 years old, and retired on Christmas Eve 2018, and tried to get used to retirement. I
live in Barnsley in the beautiful County of Yorkshire, and since retirement had settled into a
routine of not doing all that much, rather than spending quality family time at home, and
getting all over the place with my wife using the off-peak public transport system, and using
the family car rarely. In my younger days, I was very much into rugby, and played cricket
extensively in Leeds and West Yorkshire in leagues. My wife spotted an advert in the
Barnsley U3A quarterly magazine “The Buzz” about Walking Cricket and thinking I might be
interested contacted the Walking Cricket Group Co-ordinator Mac Mckechnie, and gave my
details to him saying I might be interested.
When she told me, I said “You must be joking!! Walking Cricket, surely, it’s some kind of
joke! I think she did this to try to get me out and about, (or from under her feet), I think the
latter may be the case. I said I’d give it a go after all the trouble she had gone to. And I went
to my first “match” with the intention to show my face and not return, (Walking Cricket what
a joke!)
And then I found how wrong one can be! I was met by an array of ages all probably at least
60 years old, and mixed gender. Without going into detail about the actual game of cricket
being played, I was amazed at the amount of fun being had and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
– Everyone playing to win, but it didn’t really matter! – It’s the fun, the people involved, the Paul Shevill
banter, and the fun everyone seemed to be having as well as the gentle exercise.
Barnsley U3A and
I was amazed at the enthusiasm everybody gave, the ladies with their vicious underarm Wakefield Warriors
bowling, and hard-hitting batting showing no mercy! After the game everyone shakes Walking Cricket Teams
hands, and then a cup of tea/coffee and a chat. I found it all so very enjoyable. The game,
meeting the other players, it really opened my eyes. Walking Cricket is certainly no joke! –
And now I look forward to the next, and every game.After receiving a cancer diagnosis in August 2017, my life took a definite downward turn. Surgery, followed by six months of chemotherapy and finished off with 15 sessions of radiotherapy was my life until May of 2018. It was a very difficult time, though I had so much support from my local hospital and my family that I got through it with my sanity intact. Another source of support came from friends who I have met through Barnsley U3A. I had company during chemotherapy sessions and offers of lifts when I had to go to Sheffield for radiotherapy. Support came in other ways such as from our Face Book members keeping me occupied when I was in hospital for a week and very, very bored. I am not a good patient. By the end of last year, I realised that I was now expected to get back to normality. Mmmm! My life had a ‘new normal’ so I wasn’t sure what it should look like. I never thought that my new normal would involve cricket though. Mac McKechnie was just starting Barnsley U3A Mixed Walking Cricket and after a conversation with my 11 year old grandson I took the plunge and joined. My grandson is wise for his age and after my comment that I needed to be fitter to join the cricket he told me that I would never get fit if I didn’t do something about it. He was correct of course. What do I get from walking cricket? There isn’t a short answer to that because I get so much. First of all, there is the company. What better than to spend a couple of hours each week in the company of lovely people. We are a very mixed bunch with total novices such as me and experienced cricketers who are always willing to help with support and advice. Along with that comes the banter, which I love. Secondly, there is the exercise. Nothing too strenuous but much better than sitting alone at Lynn Maloney home reading- or worse watching daytime TV. Oh the horror of that thought! It is BU3A Walking Cricket Team helping me to continue with my recovery after a harsh treatment regimen, not just physically but mentally too. Depression is a real danger after the shock of cancer but being with other people and joining in with the game has helped to keep that at bay.
Inside,………. Sept - April • Minimum size of 5 a side football pitch required. • Each “group” has it’s own co-ordinator and treasurer. • We pay £40.00 for a two hour session • Each participant pays £3.50 per meeting to cover costs • Softer plastic ball (Windball) is used: (one pictured is orange, we also use white) • Can often get two matches in within a two hour period as quicker game than outside. • We play once per week on a Thursday morning 10.00am – 12.00pm • We have one group of 47 member (average attendance about 16 – 20 on matchdays.)
Outside, ………. April - Sept
• Minimum size of an AstroTurf five a side football pitch required.
• We pay £30.00 for a two hour session
• Each “group” has it’s own co-ordinator and treasurer
• Each participant pays £3.00 per meeting to cover costs
• Harder plastic ball (aeroBall) is used:
• Can normally only play one match within a two hour period as slower game than inside.
• There are two groups, The Wednesday group, (29 members) and the Thursday group, (24 members) –
Each group meets fortnightly, so in theory, it is possible to play on either a Wednesday or Thursday
morning once per week.
• Everybody plays for “normal” matches – We also have a “first” team for matches, 5 men, 3 ladies.Advertising …….. There is free advertising out there if you seek it out, caution needs to be used as reporters report what to them is newsworthy, which might not be exactly what we hope to get out of the advert, …… but working on the belief that “Any Advertising is good advertising” as the following newspaper and magazine cuttings show, it is a mixed bag of results, but 90% fairly accurate, and has brought new members into the U3A as a result.
U3A Walking Cricket Rules in partnership with
Y.C.F, E.C.B. and Twenty20 Community Cricket
U3A Walking Cricket Rules in partnership with Twenty20 Community Cricket
• 6 or 8 players a side – depending on available space
• A standard non-match weight “incrediball” should be used - https://tinyurl.com/y8uozh8o
• The wicket should be 16 yards long between stumps.
• Plastic bats recommended (size 6)
• Batters bat in pairs, facing 4 (6 a side) or 3 (8 a side) overs each pair – 12 overs innings total.
• Matches should last around one hour and there should be a tea/drinks after the game for both teams
• Batting teams start on 200 runs and lose 5 runs every time one of the players is out
• The fielding team rotate clockwise in the field so everyone gets a chance to bowl
• Fielders must walk after the ball
• 5 penalty runs shall be applied if a fielding team member, after a single warning, runs after the ball
• Runs are scored as per normal cricket except:
o Batters must walk not run
o When playing indoors or in an enclosed area, e.g. 5 a side court ▪ 1 run for hitting the side and wicketkeeper’s end walls
▪ 4 runs for hitting the bowler’s end wall along the ground, not hitting any other wall or ceiling first ▪ 6 runs for hitting the
bowlers end wall in the air, not hitting any other wall or ceiling first ▪ Players may be caught off side and wicketkeeper’s end
wall plus ceiling
• 2 runs shall be awarded for a wide or no ball and no extra ball bowled (so maximum 6 balls per over) except in the last
over when they should be re-bowled until 6 legal deliveries have been bowled
• Otherwise normal cricket rules apply, - including LBW penalty – Umpires decision is final.Pitch = 55 mtrs long
36.5 mtrs wide
Walking Cricket Group Simple Guide
“Walking Cricket is not critical in life, - it’s far more important than that”
Below are the basic scores for the match “Scorer” to be aware of. Each ball
should be marked on the score sheet. - If no runs are added (or deducted)
then the score is the same as the previous ball. (It is more complex than
outlined below, but they are the basics) Bowler
Scoring starts at + 200 runs
A batter who is out, - deduct 5 points, and put circle round the score at that
point in the over.
Add 1 run if a batter walks from one crease to the other without being “out”
Add 1 run for hitting a NON boundary fence. - If the batters have crossed
that will therefore make that 2 runs.
A boundary wall is the one wall behind the bowler, the other three walls are
considered non boundary. On Side Off side
If the ball bounces before hitting the rear boundary wall add 4 runs. If it Batter
doesn't bounce before hitting the boundary wall it is a maximum - add 6
runs. (in both cases the batter cannot be caught out off the boundary Assume Batter is Right handed
wall).
Wides and no balls (called by the Umpire) - add 2 runs.
A scorer doesn't have to overly worry about the above points, as in this game
it is normal for the umpire to call out the score for the ball being played.Walking Cricket Equipment Clearly some specialist equipment will be required. Twenty20 Cricket were able to supply me with all necessary leads as to where things could be readily obtained, (listed below in red/blue). I guess most of you will wish to know “what’s the bottom line?” – well in Barnsley we were fortunate, a grant of £140.00 was given from BU3A, which purchased a complete kit set for our first group. And I was awarded a grant (very gratefully received) from YCCB for identical kit (different colours) for our second group. (I added extra’s later like old Cricket bags to carry everything in from eBay – (other auction sites available!). So as a rough guide:- 20 bibs (10 of each colour) £27.80 Bats/stumps £27.76. - 6x aero “incrediballs” £33.69. Coloured marker discs £15.00.Misc: keepers gloves, tape measure, mesh bags for kit etc. Balls - https://www.sportsballshop.co.uk/acatalog/Incrediball-Trainer-Cricket- Ball.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6-zH7MXE3gIVhuJ3Ch16oA9mEAQYASABEgIdP_D_BwE Stumps & Bats - https://www.sportsdirect.com/slazenger-academy-cricket-set-junior- 859099?colcode=85909999&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoeX13MXE3gIVheJ3Ch2NAQlFEAQYASABEgLwh_D_B wE Markers - https://www.networldsports.co.uk/forza-flat-disc-markers-all-colours- pink.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4J-Vz8XE3gIVk-J3Ch0lDQOzEAQYBCABEgLR9vD_BwE Team colour Bibs - https://www.networldsports.co.uk/training-bibs-10-pack-orange- adult.html
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