Five elderly care home residents played their own version of the FIFA World Cup yesterday by competing in a penalty shoot-out.
The oldest team member was 95, and the majority of the other players were aged in their 80s, but the men still showed they could rise to the challenge of scoring as many goals as possible in 10 minutes.
Many other pensioners living at Angusfield House Care Home in Aberdeen turned up to support their neighbours at the event.
Manager Bob Fenwick said: “Some people think that as we get older we should do less physical activity, but maintaining an active lifestyle is important to promote mobility, flexibility, coordination and wellbeing.
“Getting people playing games together makes exercise more fun and adds a social element. If people could be prescribed a pill that would delay the physical and mental effects of old age, they would be queuing up to take it.
“Well, participating in physical activity at any age can have those effects, by helping to boost all-round wellbeing.”
The care home is operated by the Brighterkind group which gives pensioners the chance to take part in the challenge at each of their 70 care homes across the UK.
The competition was played in Slipper-soccer style, a type of football that has been adapted to meet the needs of older people.
The social enterprise Oomph and Age Concern’s Older Men’s Network developed the game which has a lighter ball than conventional football but features many of the same rules and techniques. It was introduced to the care home as part of the Magic Moments programme of recreational activities that also includes Clock Cricket and Armchair Volleyball.
