Tri Nations and Celtic Nations Cup 2025
ENGLAND WALKING FOOTBALL - WOMEN'S TRI NATIONS AND CELTIC NATIONS CUP
Saturday 21st June – Coleshill Town FC, Birmingham
Squad Selection
Sunday 1st June saw our monthly training session take place at Kingshurst Academy in Birmingham. Existing squad members and new trialists made up impressive numbers, as all age categories competed for a place in their respective squads, for the Tri Nation and Celtic Nations tournament, to be played later in the month. Tough decisions made and squads selected, England moved onwards to June 21st and their first competitive tournament with refreshed squads, and under new management.
Thank you to our hosts
Hot, humid and challenging conditions awaited all competitors at Coleshill Town FC for what turned out to be a superbly run competition hosted by the Republic Of Ireland Walking Football Association. Hat’s off to them for the excellent job they did.
Events on the pitch
So, to events on the pitch, as England took to the field in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s categories, playing in new formations with new squads. The only concern was how quickly they could adapt to the unfamiliarity……and wow, how quickly they did. Every single squad member rose to the occasion.
The 40’s played some of the best walking football I personally have seen, as players switched and changed positions effortlessly and goals were fired in from all over the pitch. Three games won, no goals conceded, and a winning trophy collected!!!
Tougher games for the 50’s who had to come from behind in their first game, but true resilience saw them do it and turn the result around to a win. From there another win and a draw saw them equal the 40’s achievement of topping their group and securing trophy number 2!!!
The 60’s kicked off later and were subjected to the worst of the afternoon suns punishment. That shouldn’t have worried us though, as they calmly clicked into gear and took the opening game by storm. Two more really tough games saw them stand strong and keeping clean sheets in all they took the title on goal difference. The opening game being the decisive factor, and so England picked up trophy number 3!!!
Overall winners
With all three ages secured England took the overall trophy in what proved to be a hugely successful afternoon of walking football. Massive congratulations to every squad member for the way they raised their games, but an extra special mention to the three captains, Kelly, Amanda and Gail, who led by example and left everything they had out there on the pitch. Exhausted as they were they still managed to lift the trophies aloft and showed that England Women’s Walking Football has a very…very bright future.
Mike Walker - Manager
