Rep Teams Next Season
1 December 2023
by
Gary Murphy
League Rep teams will be getting together in the New Year for training sessions in preparation for games against other Leagues
The Essex Walking Football League (EWFL) have Representative sides at over 50s, over 60s, over 65s, and over 70s.
The players who represent the EWFL are drawn from the very best players who play for clubs who participate in the league and league cup compititions.
Representative football is more prevalent during the EWFL closed season as it is very hard to get players together with league, cup, and outside club tournaments taking place during the season/summer months.
At the over 60s, over 65s and over 70s age groups the League are lucky to have week day sessions at two excellent facilities that are Billericay FC and Heybridge Swifts FC.
Rep 50s - Unfortunately the league have tried to fulfil the 50s section but with most of them still working it has proven almost impossible to find local training facilities in the evening or at weekends that suit.
The League's over 65s Representative side took part in the South East twelve counties tournament in Chippenham early in 2023. The team did very well only losing on penalties in the final. It was a very long day with the final ending up being played with the flood lights on! The team came away with a nice trophy which was given out by ex spurs legend Steve Perryman.
At the end of last lesson the over 65s also played in the Walking Football League Alliance inter County tournament in Leek. Again the team had a successful day coming runners up in a round robin on goal difference. During the winter months the coaching staff try to have a mixed training session around once a month and look for a county tournament to give the lads something to focus there training sessions on.
The League are also quite lucky to have contacts at regional level and quite often are invited to take a team to there training session for practice matches.
Manager of the over 65s, Gary Murphy is looking forward to the 2024 season; "I'm looking forward to taking the representative teams from runners up in 2023 to winners in the 2024 season. Our aim this next winter is to hold a county tournament of our own."