Alexforbes Offshore and Hepburns Insurance is aiming to make a community impact by announcing a three-year sponsorship investment in Jersey FA’s Walking Football League.

The league is played on Sunday mornings at Springfield and is open to anyone over the age of 45.  Now in its fourth season, the league encourages older adults or those with injuries to get back into or continue playing the sport they love in later life. 

As the name suggests, players must walk or concede a free-kick if they are spotted running. There is no contact or tackling.  The league supports healthy competition and most recently the Jersey national team reached the quarter-finals of the inaugural Federation of International Walking Football Associations (FIWFA) Walking Football World Nations Cup with several of the international sides they competed against hoping to visit them in Jersey next year for a rematch. 

David Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer of the Jersey Football Association said, “We’re delighted to be entering into this long-term arrangement with AlexForbes Offshore and Hepburns as co-sponsors of the Walking Football League. Football is the island’s most inclusive sports and one of our goals is to provide football for all, regardless of ability, age or gender.”  

He added, “The Jersey FA Walking Football League now has eight teams playing. We have over 100 registered players with an average age of 55 and our eldest player is well into their 70s.  With this support from AlexForbes and Hepburns we hope to continue to grow the league, be able to include more female players and reach new competitive highs.” 

Timothy Townsend, Head of Wealth Management and Corporate Consulting at AlexForbes Offshore said, “Our focus is very much on wellbeing throughout life, we provide holistic financial planning advice and solutions that enable people to live their lives to the full.  Making and investment into our local community in this way helps to demonstrate that holistic approach to wellbeing. We believe the time invested in your overall financial, physical and mental wellbeing is time well spent.”

Jim Purkiss, from Hepburns Insurance, expressed, “Supporting the Walking Football League is a reflection of our core values at Hepburns. Just as we’re committed to protecting the interests of our clients with personalised insurance services, we're equally dedicated to promoting activities that enrich their lives. This sport is more than just a game; it's a community builder that resonates with our mission to contribute to the wellbeing of those we serve.”

The teams playing in the league for the 2023/24 season are:  St Peter FC, Trinity FC, First Tower United, St Paul’s FC, Grouville, Rozel Rovers, Portuguese Community FC. Anyone wanting to get involved can contact info@jerseyfa.com or contact one of the clubs directly.