{"id":9625,"date":"2024-02-05T12:16:53","date_gmt":"2024-02-05T12:16:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/cardiffnewsplus\/?p=9625"},"modified":"2024-02-05T12:16:56","modified_gmt":"2024-02-05T12:16:56","slug":"four-chosen-to-represent-wales-walking-football-matches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/cardiffnewsplus\/four-chosen-to-represent-wales-walking-football-matches\/","title":{"rendered":"Four chosen to represent Wales walking football matches"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Two participants in the Hot Steppers team have been chosen to represent Wales for international matches for two consecutive years. One of them is nearly 70 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Joanne Davies created the walking football team Hot Steppers in 2021. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is based in Rhondda Cynon Taf and\u00a0aimed at the over 40s. It offers the opportunity to maximise participation for all groups and to encourage sustained participation for players of all abilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has 40 women members and has competed against England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, the team faces challenges. Many women who have families need to balance training and children, so it is hard for them to train in the evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joanne says, “Many women have barriers that they have to take care children in the evening.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"