Tom Hayes visits Dorset Parky Striders walking football club anniversary
Tom Hayes, Bournemouth East MP, celebrates Dorset Parky Striders walking football club’s second anniversary, highlighting its benefits for people with Parkinson’s.
Tom Hayes joins Dorset Parky Striders to mark walking football club anniversary
A Bournemouth MP has praised the Dorset Parky Striders walking football club for its positive impact on people living with Parkinson’s disease. Tom Hayes, Labour MP for Bournemouth East, joined the club at a special training session to celebrate their second anniversary and recognise the benefits the group offers through sport, social connection and community support.
What is the Dorset Parky Striders walking football club?
The Dorset Parky Striders is a community club dedicated to supporting people with Parkinson’s disease by providing a safe and enjoyable environment for walking football. Walking football is a slower-paced version of traditional football that is designed to be accessible to people with mobility challenges or health conditions. Since launching, the club has grown from just eight players to nearly 40 members, reflecting its popularity and the demand for inclusive sporting opportunities in the area.
The club offers more than just exercise. It provides a social network where members can build friendships, share experiences and enjoy the camaraderie of team sport. This holistic approach helps members manage the physical and emotional challenges of Parkinson’s.
How does walking football benefit people with Parkinson’s?
Walking football encourages gentle physical activity, which is particularly beneficial for managing Parkinson’s symptoms such as stiffness, balance issues and reduced coordination. The slower pace reduces injury risk while still promoting cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength.
Beyond the physical benefits, walking football fosters mental wellbeing through social interaction and a sense of belonging. For many participants, the club is a vital source of motivation and emotional support, helping them to stay active and connected despite the challenges of their condition.
Tom Hayes praised the club’s achievements, saying, "I loved meeting the Dorset Parky Striders, who've gone from eight players to nearly 40. Football cheers us up, brings people together, and, as I saw at Pelhams, takes people's mind off Parkinson's."
Celebrating two years of community and sport
The special training session marked the Dorset Parky Striders’ second anniversary. Alongside playing football, the event included a celebration with players, volunteers and supporters. Tom Hayes joined in cutting the celebratory cakes, highlighting the warm and friendly atmosphere that defines the club.
He encouraged others to get involved, adding, "If you’d like to get involved, please do contact them. They’re a very friendly and lovely team, and they make amazing cake!"
Leadership and future ambitions of the Dorset Parky Striders
During his visit, Tom Hayes met with key figures supporting the club’s work, including David Beardow and Simon Smale, chair and vice-chair of the East Dorset Branch of Parkinson’s UK, and Mark Seal, the club’s manager and head coach.
Mark Seal said, "We were delighted to welcome Tom to our anniversary celebrations and give him the opportunity to see the Striders in action. We are extremely proud of what we have achieved so far and are determined to build on that success, bringing the benefits of walking football to even more people living with Parkinson’s."
The club aims to expand its reach further, continuing to promote health, wellbeing and social inclusion through walking football across Dorset.
For anyone living with Parkinson’s or interested in accessible sports, the Dorset Parky Striders offer a welcoming community and a chance to stay active. Walking football is one of many local activities that support health and social connection in Bournemouth.
Explore more local activities and places to visit in our Things to Do section.
For practical information on health and wellbeing resources in the area, see our Visitor Information page.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Dorset Parky Striders walking football club?
The Dorset Parky Striders is a community club that supports people living with Parkinson’s disease by offering a safe and enjoyable environment for walking football. This slower-paced version of football is designed to be accessible for those with mobility challenges or health conditions. Since its launch, the club has grown from eight players to nearly 40 members, reflecting its popularity and the need for inclusive sporting opportunities in Dorset.
How does walking football benefit people with Parkinson’s disease?
Walking football provides gentle physical activity that helps manage Parkinson’s symptoms such as stiffness, balance problems and reduced coordination. The slower pace minimises injury risk while promoting cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength. Additionally, the social aspect of the sport supports mental wellbeing by fostering friendships, motivation and emotional support among participants.
Who visited the Dorset Parky Striders to celebrate their anniversary?
Tom Hayes, the Labour MP for Bournemouth East, joined the Dorset Parky Striders at a special training session to mark their second anniversary. He praised the club for its positive impact on people with Parkinson’s and took part in the celebrations, including cutting the anniversary cakes with players, volunteers and supporters.
How long has the Dorset Parky Striders walking football club been running?
The Dorset Parky Striders walking football club recently celebrated its second anniversary. The milestone was marked with a special training session and a celebration involving players, volunteers and supporters.
Who leads and supports the Dorset Parky Striders club?
The club is managed and coached by Mark Seal, who is also the head coach. Key supporters include David Beardow and Simon Smale, who serve as chair and vice-chair of the East Dorset Branch of Parkinson’s UK. Together, they work to promote the club’s mission and expand its reach.
How can someone get involved with the Dorset Parky Striders?
Tom Hayes encouraged anyone interested to contact the Dorset Parky Striders to get involved. The club is known for being very friendly and welcoming, offering a supportive community for people living with Parkinson’s who want to stay active through walking football.
What are the future ambitions of the Dorset Parky Striders walking football club?
The club aims to build on its current success by expanding its reach to more people living with Parkinson’s across Dorset. They want to continue promoting health, wellbeing and social inclusion through walking football, helping even more individuals benefit from this accessible sport.
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