The football team that is banned from running

BarcelonaThe Sant Andreu Sports Union (UESA) is a century-old sports club currently enjoying a period of great success. Membership, which was under a thousand in 2020, has grown exponentially in the last five years, now exceeding 5,000 season ticket holders. The close relationship between the club, players, and fans is one of the reasons why supporters of Barça or Espanyol are drawn to Sant Andreu as their second or even first team. Initiatives like Avisgol, a team of senior citizens who play what's known as walking football, further strengthen the bond between the club and its members, especially the older ones. Walking football, or foot football, is a new variant that aims to reduce the risk of injury by eliminating physical contact. To prevent anyone from getting hurt, running, touching the ball more than three times, or playing it above head height are not permitted. The remaining rules are still in the experimental phase, but all are based on the principle of prioritizing the safety of the players' bodies. The aim is to adapt the classic rules of the sport to a safe practice for older people, who cannot be subjected to collisions, 50/50 balls, tackles or other actions of traditional football, because they compromise their physical integrity.

UESA's general manager, José Manuel Pérez, is aware of the importance of supporting initiatives like this, even if the first team moves up a division. "For us, this is a social issue. Many of the people involved are acquaintances from our town," says Pérez. The idea is to grow without having to give up the distinctive features that have attracted the attention of the new members, and even Taito Suzuki, the majority shareholder since November of last year. While negotiating the purchase of the club, after one of the meetings at the Narcís Sala offices, he happened to be training with the football team. The Japanese businessman noticed that the elderly players were short of water and went to the supermarket himself to buy some, explains Pérez. "We believe that social work is one of the key aspects of our project, and the truth is that we at the club are delighted," he adds.

How to get back to the school playground

They too are delighted with the club, as they don't have to pay any fees to meet and practice outdoor sports, explains one of the founders, 69-year-old Martín. Furthermore, they receive equipment and all the necessary support to ensure the continuity of their weekly meetings. Every Tuesday morning, the members of Avisgol meet at the Narcís Sala Municipal Stadium, located in the heart of the neighborhood, where professional players also train and play their official matches. "It's like going back to the school playground," says 71-year-old Ignasi, "those of us who know the game take advantage of those who don't." One of the main challenges of walking football, explains 77-year-old goalkeeper Antonio, is learning to temper the winning mentality. "People like to play to win; I don't believe those who say they only play to have fun," confesses Antonio. His teammate Eusebi listens attentively and replies, "I think some people are too competitive." Both agree on the key issue: finding the balance between competitive drive and physical health, without suppressing the former or harming the latter.

Training begins with a warm-up, led by 82-year-old retired physical trainer Juan Carlos, which is especially important given the athletes' muscular fragility; followed by an hour-long pre-match talk. Two teams face off: on one side, the regular players, who have been training together for some time and have already secured their places in the starting lineup; and on the other side, the team made up of hopefuls and newcomers. For the latter, the initial difficulty is getting used to controlling their bursts of speed. The debutants are often cautioned by the referee at first because they are tempted to gain an advantage with a short sprint, which they try to disguise with a couple of strides. It's necessary to go through an adaptation process, understand this new way of playing, and learn to enjoy it with the guarantees it offers.

On weekends, Avisgol's starting lineup travels to test their mettle against other walking football teams that are springing up all over the country. Not all the teams emerging in Catalonia and the rest of Spain are made up of older people: Moms, a women's team that participates in these tournaments, is entirely composed of mothers who also feel more confident with this innovative format. Herein lies one of the unique aspects of walking football: it's a mixed-gender sport. In fact, Avisgol Sant Andreu has launched a call for women over fifty, as well as new sponsors who want to associate their brand with the social work and contribute to the project's financial sustainability. Walking football is a very recent phenomenon, but it's spreading rapidly. UESA already had a veterans' team, made up mainly of retired players who play football using the traditional rules. Walking football, thanks to its innovative features, offers the opportunity to enjoy a sporting activity in an idyllic setting, for seniors or others who, for one reason or another, cannot risk physical exertion. The Avisgol team is promoting football for people who never imagined reaching their age while playing on the pitch at the Narcís Sala stadium.

One of the players on the Avisgol roster is Manel Martí, a former player for Barça, Las Palmas, and Zaragoza, among other elite teams. Approaching eighty, the veteran says he finishes training sweaty and is happy to give interviews on the pitch with the same enthusiasm he had fifty years ago. "You can't ask me to run. I'll sweat as much as you want. But I won't be able to run or shoot." When asked what it brings him, he replies: "The fundamental basis of walking football is the bond between friends who don't care about age, people who have played, people who haven't; but the important thing is the camaraderie, and once it's over, going for a drink or lunch together."

Life expectancy in Catalonia currently stands at 83 years. The population pyramid, completely inverted, tends to become increasingly thinner at the base and thicker at the top. But a long life is of little use if one cannot enjoy physical and mental health until the very end. The current paradigm presents a new scenario in which it is no longer about living longer, but about learning to live better. Initiatives like the Avisgol team of UESA offer older people in the neighborhood the opportunity to play sports on the same pitch as the first-team players during their matches. A feeling of inclusion and closeness that, beyond age and physical health, should also contribute to mental well-being. In any case, the grassroots football phenomenon is booming, and the great challenge for clubs like UESA or their eternal rival, Europa, will be to continue growing while maintaining the unique elements that have fueled this success.