Elite Sponsorship Fund
Judith's Story
Hello. I am Judith Darcy and I work in the headquarters of the Department for Work and Pensions, Caxton House in London. Following two trials (in September 2019 and in October 2019) I was selected for the very first England Women’s Walking Football squad (Over 50s).
To cap it all, I was lucky enough to be chosen to play in the first-ever Women’s Walking Football international which took place on 1 November 2019 in Guernsey. The CSSC Elite competitor fund helped me to fund my trip to Guernsey and fulfil my dream of pulling on an England shirt, fly the flag for women’s walking football and be part of history in the making. A flick through my scrapbook reveals my story – please, be my guest:
My scrapbook
First half
Things kicked off in the early 1970s when, as a little girl, I played football on the streets in Lancashire with my twin sister and other kids. It was literally jumpers for goalposts! In my teens, I went to an all-girls convent school where women’s football was not on the curriculum.
Undeterred, I joined an 11-a-side women’s football team and played competitively every week. In 1996 I even played for the North West in the CSSC women’s 5-a-side football finals in Perth and we won the tournament. Little did I know back then that my boots were made for walking.
Second half
Yet, almost 50 years on, my boots are still firmly on my feet, and my love affair with the beautiful game continues. I have been playing walking football for two and a half years at The Arsenal Hub in a mixed team and in a women’s team.
The game caters for all abilities, from beginner to experienced. For example, some women players are of the generation that football missed, and others are rekindling their love for the beautiful game. In addition, the health and well-being benefits (both mental and physical) walking football brings are endless. I have made lots of new friends from all walks of life and being part of a team gives me a great sense of belonging. Football has a unique bond.
Extra time
Being selected for the very first England Women’s Walking Football squad opened another ‘dressing room’ door. Inside, I found a great sense of togetherness and a wonderful work ethic. 1 November 2019 was a memorable day on and off the pitch and one that will stay with me forever. After a mid-morning training session, the England team bonded over lunch before retiring to the hotel to rest before the big match (Guernsey Women v England Women).
In the early evening, the team made their way to the stadium and spirits were high. The excitement in the dressing room, the rush of adrenaline waiting to walk out, the national anthem, and the energy on the pitch was magical. It was a well-contested game, which finished Guernsey 0 England 2. The match was streamed live and encouraging numbers watched it. As a result, I hope many more will take up walking football.
Injury time
I still dare to dream. I want to play football for as long as I can – until the final whistle! After all, there are still many more pages in my scrapbook to be filled… In the words of A.A. Milne, “When you see someone putting on their big boots, you can be pretty sure that an adventure is going to happen.”
Thanks again to the CSSC Elite competitor fund for participating in my story.
