Football is finding a new way to bring people together in Maclean, with Maclean FC set to launch its first Walking Football program for older members of the community.
The club received a $9,412 grant from Healthy North Coast to help bring the program to life, creating a free weekly opportunity for adults aged 50 and over to get active, meet new people and stay connected through football.
For Maclean FC President Belinda Skelton, the program is about much more than football.
“Maclean Football Club is extremely excited to be bringing walking football to our area in partnership with Healthy North Coast through the North Coast PHN program,” Skelton said.
“This grant lets us launch a free, weekly walking football program for older adults in our community, the first of its kind in the Lower Clarence.”
The club hopes to welcome around 50 participants aged 60 and over, particularly those who may be less active, feeling isolated or returning to activity following an injury.
The program will provide an opportunity for participants to get moving, build confidence and connect with others, while creating a new way for older members of the community to become involved with their local football club.
Sessions run from 4pm to 5pm once a week for eight weeks, with the program beginning on Tuesday 13 October.
The club will host a meet and greet at Barry Watts Oval on Thursday 1 October to give potential participants the chance to meet the team, learn more about the program and get involved.
The club is also looking to make Walking Football a truly intergenerational experience, with junior referees and volunteers involved alongside the older participants.
“We are aiming to give participants a safe way to stay active, rebuild confidence after injury and connect socially, including with our own junior players and volunteers,” Skelton said.
“We're doing a meet and greet on 1 October 2026 and our aim is to turn this into a permanent MFC program well beyond the funded year.”
While the initial program is supported through the grant, Maclean FC already has its sights set on the future, with plans to incorporate Walking Football into the club permanently and potentially expand the program to further age groups.
The club is also planning a Seniors Week event in 2027 as it continues to build on the program and strengthen connections across the Maclean community.
For Maclean FC, the hope is simple: to give more people in the Lower Clarence a chance to get active, get involved and most importantly, feel part of the football family.