The newest lineup of sport stars on Redlands Coast proves you don’t need to move fast to make the team.
In fact, players are pulled up if they break into a run.
Welcome to walking sport – a modified, low-impact version of the traditional game, ideal for older adults seeking safe and enjoyable movement-based activities. It aims to encourage physical activity, social connection and overall wellbeing.
Redland City Council saw an opportunity to encourage its older residents to access and enjoy the city’s community facilities and outdoor spaces, to participate in activities, and access services to support health and wellbeing.
The result was a pilot Sport and Talk program – a free walking sport for older persons initiative held in collaboration with sporting partners RedCity Roar Basketball Association, Redlands Softball Association and Football Queensland.
The initial pilot began on 24 April 2026 with a Come and Try Day, followed by a four-week structured program in each of the three sports – basketball, softball and soccer. The program was so well received that Council extended the program for another four weeks, from 2 to 26 June.
The program appealed to older residents looking for activities to keep them active and connected with others, with reports of a lot of laughter, encouragement, clapping and cheering at every sport.
Cheryl says walking sport appealed to her because she is interested in keeping fit.
“I used to play netball in my younger years and I thought ‘how hard can basketball be?’ I chose the sports I thought I’d be best at – basketball and soccer,” she says.
“I’d never played soccer before and it was certainly challenging. It was about using feet skills, not hand skills, like in the sports I used to play – netball, tennis and touch football.”
Cheryl says, although she is competitive, she was aware everyone was at different skill levels.
“We weren’t there for the competition,” she says.
“I like that it brought together a lot of senior people I never knew. It brought together people who were willing to try something new, which meant we were all at different levels, but most had never played basketball or soccer before.
“I liked that on a set day every week I had somewhere to go for an hour or so where I could have a good time and meet with new people.
“The program was really, really good because seniors are looking for something to do. I’m looking for cheap options for activities that can help me keep mobile and improve my fitness in my senior years.
“There’s a saying ‘use it or lose it’ and I don’t want to lose it. Doing something with others makes it fun – it’s about having a good time.”
Ian Wallace says he really enjoyed the program, despite an initial reluctance about signing up.
“I thought the sports might be a bit slow and without much exercise. However, I was talked into going to the come and try session and I’m glad I did,” he says.
“I really enjoyed trying the three sports and found the exercise invigorating. It got the old heart going but without being exhausting and it was a bonus to meet some new people.”
Ian signed up for walking softball and soccer and would have done basketball but for a prior commitment on that day.
“I had never played softball or soccer as I have never been a team sports sort of person. At school I was usually one of the last ones picked for any team sport and that tends to put you off a bit.
“But I found the Sport and Talk sports had a low level of competitiveness and lots of camaraderie, so it suited me.”
Ian said the coaches were great and the rules of the game were easy to grasp.
“The main difficulty was to not break into a run when chasing the ball. But we soon learnt to use a fast walking style, similar to an Olympic walking competitor, but with less grace.
“I think we were all generally inclusive of everyone in the game, no matter their skills level. Noone seemed to hog the ball or try to outscore the rest. I certainly enjoyed getting a goal or a home run but felt that having a fun game and a few laughs was more important.
“I enjoyed having the chance to have a go at a new sport and have a fun time doing it. The participants were a great bunch of people – friendly and fun – and we had a good chat after the session with the participants, coaches and organisers.”
Jill Thompson is another fan of the Sport and Talk program.
“Walking Sport for oldies is such a great idea and thank you for getting sports on board for the trial. I just love it,” she says.
“There are loads of 60 and 70-year-olds in the community who are still able bodied and sporty minded, even if the body can’t keep up with the normal speed or expertise of the normal game, whatever it may be.
“We’ve still got a competitive spirit, we still want to move and be involved; just, physically, we’re a tad behind the eight ball. We’ve finished work, some of our friends are out travelling the countryside, others have moved away, downsized or passed away.
“Our friend base has diminished. That’s another good reason for having some sport we can partake in and enjoy. That was the way we all made friends in our youth, and that is how we can make some new friends now that we’re older.
“The common denominator to start the friendships is the gathering to have fun doing something healthy.”
With such a positive response to Sport and Talk, Council will consider running the program again in 2026–2027.
