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Globe and Mail
4 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
The beautiful game, at walking speed
Aidan Butterworth's voice booms across the soccer pitch at Toronto's Cherry Beach as his players warm up. 'Just shake it up,' he tells them. 'Go! Go! Go! 'Keep moving on your feet, don't stop.' The moving feet aren't moving all that fast. Nor is the pace of play. That's all by design. Mr. Butterworth is an assistant coach for the Toronto Walking Soccer Club, also referred to as the Loons. They're one of 20 teams from across Canada. Across multiple age groups, the club has more than 100 members from all around the Greater Toronto Area. The coach knows his way around a soccer pitch. He spent four years playing for Leeds United in England and was the club's top scorer in 1983. The game he has loved his entire life didn't fully love him back, though. 'I've had two replacement hip surgeries and another on my knees,' he said. 'My playing days are behind me, but I get a lot from walking football.' The appeal of the game is similar to that of pickleball – a more contained, less physically demanding alternative to tennis. Pickleball Canada claims 1.54 million people are playing the sport in this country. Walking soccer – invented in 2011 in England, where there are now more than 700 clubs and 200,000 players – has experienced an international boom over the past decade. In Canada, six provinces have launched multiple active programs that continue to grow in participation. 'People aren't ready to give up soccer when they get a little bit older,' said Patrick Yao, founder of the Canadian Walking Soccer Association, or CWSA. 'Their passion for the sport is still there.' The rules of walking soccer are designed to minimize the health risks to participants and increase accessibility. The pitch and goal size are smaller than in conventional soccer, the ball cannot be kicked higher than two metres, throw-ins are replaced with kick-ins, and goalkeepers are not permitted to leave their zones. There is no running or jogging allowed, regardless of whether the player is handling the ball or not. What counts as running or jogging is dependent solely on the interpretation of the referee. 'The rule is that you're supposed to plant your feet,' Mr. Butterworth said. 'The player must always have at least one foot in contact with the ground.' Club founder Kerrin Hands said the golden rule is 'If you can salsa, you can do walking soccer.' The Loons' over-50 team gathers every Thursday evening for two hours of intense training drills, finishing off with a 30-minute game. Before starting, the players are reminded to enjoy themselves, but to go hard. No swearing, though. A 2024 survey by the CWSA revealed that more than 60 per cent of respondents discovered the sport through family or friend referrals, followed by a close split between news and social media. Mr. Hands founded the Toronto Loons three years ago, after stumbling across the sport in Spain during a family visit. The native Englishman played soccer at various competitive levels in South London, but moved into coaching when he relocated to Canada. His efforts to grow the club have included reaching out to non-walking soccer organizations with programs for those aged 40 and up, inviting them to join sessions and hosting pop-up events. Still, his most effective strategy for securing sign-ups is ensuring that everyone who steps onto the field leaves with a positive experience. 'The way most people find out about the sport is through word of mouth,' Mr. Hands said. 'People have enjoyed it so much, they go around and tell their friends.' Andrew Hilton also played competitive soccer for most of his life, and once joined an over-50s competitive team in Denmark for a brief period. He returned home to Stratford, Ont., during the pandemic, but the team he used to be a part of was no longer there. He began searching online for ways to play in the area. That's how he found walking soccer. 'It's more fun than I thought. It's better exercise than I thought, and I was reconnecting with people I played with when I was in high school. I just really enjoyed it,' Mr. Hilton said. 'I get to play the sport I love and see people I know.' Mr. Hilton's commitment runs so deep that he makes the almost three-hour trip from Stratford to Toronto's Cherry Beach field at least once a week. His teammate, Faisal Ahmed, knows the route to the field with his eyes closed after three years of weekly drives there. A 2020 review of research on the sport determined that there are health benefits connected with walking soccer, and that it can help build social connections. Another 2022 study highlighted the importance of socializing and developing new friendships that came out of the sport. Among the Loons, there is living proof of that. Mr. Ahmed wears his Apple Watch for every session to track his heart rate, calories and all other important health information. He underwent heart surgery five years ago and followed a strict training program as part of his rehabilitation. 'What I've found through walking soccer is that I can still maintain a heart rate above 145 beats per minute for 45 minutes,' Mr. Ahmed said. 'If I can do that three to four times a week, that is beneficial for keeping my heart healthy.' Mr. Butterworth said he has seen the sport do incredible things for the quality of life of some of the players who have trained under him. He credits walking soccer for improving his own mental and physical well-being. 'Seeing the joy on people's faces and telling me about the health benefits really inspires me to keep building and trying to get this sport out to even more people,' he added. This October, Canadians are headed to Spain to participate in the second edition of the Federation of International Walking Football Associations' World Nations Cup with four age groups, including a women's over-50 team. The Canadian men's over-60 team finished fourth in the inaugural 2023 cup, and it was a 'no brainer' to ensure qualification for this fall, Mr. Yao said. A total of 63 teams from 25 countries will gather to compete for medals, three times the number of teams that participated two years earlier. Canada will face powerhouse soccer countries Spain, England and Italy. Canada's team will be made up of players from eight clubs from Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. 'Our claim during the bidding process is that there would be a legacy left after this World Cup,' Mark Coleman, founder of Walking Soccer Team Spain and director of Spain Walking Football, told The Globe and Mail. 'Hosting this global event is going to boost participation around the world to millions of people.' The Loons are gearing up for the fall competition, but enjoyment remains the main goal. 'Our objectives are to create a very positive and happy environment where people can thrive,' Mr. Butterworth said. 'When the players come down for two hours, the goal is that they enjoy it and feel a benefit, and maybe they go home a bit tired.'
Globe and Mail
5 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk named to his second all-star game
Alejandro Kirk didn't want to make any assumptions about being named to the American League roster for next week's All-Star Game in Atlanta. The Toronto Blue Jays catcher found out in the clubhouse during a hitter's meeting before Sunday's 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels when Toronto completed its three-game sweep of the visitors. The honour meant a good deal to Kirk, whose previous all-star appearance was in 2022. 'I had an idea, but I didn't want to get too emotional until I knew it was going to be official,' said Kirk through a translator in the Blue Jays dugout at Rogers Centre. 'It was obviously very emotional the first time around, but I think this was going to be more special because I'm going to go with my daughter.' Kirk's wife Sofia gave birth to their daughter in February 2023. Toronto manager John Schneider could have relayed the good news to Kirk earlier on Sunday morning when the two had a one-on-one conversation. Instead, he waited until the Blue Jays lineup was engaged in their hitters' meeting. 'I told them two things: that the dome was closed and that Alejandro Kirk was an all-star, which is pretty awesome and so well deserved,' Schneider said in his post-game news conference. Kirk is batting .301 with seven homers and 41 runs batted in this season. Kirk's average is 11th in MLB and second among catchers behind Will Smith (.332) of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He will join teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr., named an AL starter for the fourth time on Wednesday, at Truist Park on July 15. Kirk's first all-star appearance was in 2022 when he finished the season with a .285 average and 14 homers. The 26-year-old has a .270 career average with a total of 43 homers over six seasons, all with Toronto. Schneider has watched his catcher develop from a raw talent to one of the game's best all-around players behind the plate in five years. 'I remember in 2020, him coming up, we were literally writing down on his wristband what pitchers threw,' Schneider said. 'To watch his growth is pretty cool. To watch the pitchers' trust grow in him is pretty cool. And what he's doing offensively, one of the best in the league.' Kirk credited work on his mental approach as well as the physical aspects for his return to the ASG. His health also has been a factor. 'I consider myself a complete hitter right now, more than in prior years,' said Kirk. 'I tried to hit too many homers. I'm not considering myself a home run hitter anymore. 'This year, I wanted to be a complete hitter to hit the ball the other way, trying to get runners in, find a way to help the team win.' Schneider admired Kirk's work ethic in returning to the form he exhibited in 2022. The Toronto manager also noted Kirk has a laid-back and different personality. 'He's a unicorn. He's one of one,' Schneider said. 'In 2022, he turned a lot of heads in 2022. After a couple of tough years, he understands what he needs to do to be great in the box and he has put in the work.' Kirk, who signed a US$58-million, five-year extension in spring training, played in his 75th game on Sunday. He only suited up for 103 last year and is on pace to reach his career-high of 139 outings in 2022. 'I'm doing everything I can to help the team win,' Kirk said. 'I'm very happy and I'm feeling great right now.' With the Blue Jays' recent ascension to the top of the American League East, Kirk hopes he can arrive in Atlanta next week in first place. 'It feels great being in first place,' Kirk said. 'You can feel it in the clubhouse. The vibes are great. Everybody is competing, going out there doing everything they can to win a game.' 'It's awesome to be in first place.'
Winnipeg Free Press
5 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Fish still searching for .500
The Winnipeg Goldeyes (24-27) concluded their six-game home and away series against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (27-26) with an 11th inning loss on Sunday. After starting the home series off with a win over the RedHawks on Canada Day at Blue Cross Park, the Fish went on a three-game skid, dropping the last two home games in the series before dropping the opener in Fargo. The Goldeyes were held to a single run on the Friday away-series opener at Newman Outdoor Field. The RedHawks led 7-0 at the top of the ninth when Winnipeg's Gustavo Sosa singled to bring home Ray-Patrick Dider — who had doubled on the previous play. BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Goldeyes outfielder Max Murphy recorded his team-leading ninth homer of the season against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks on Saturday. The Goldeyes' pitcher Zan Rose took the loss for the Fish, allowing five runs on nine hits over six innings, with five walks and three strikeouts. Tasker Strobel and Landon Leach each pitched one inning in relief for the Fish, with Leach surrendering a run on two hits and only registering one strike out. The Fish snapped their losing skid in Saturday's matinee game with a 4-1 win over the home team. Winnipeg opened the scoring in the top of the first inning, with a leadoff double by Jacob Robsen that set up an RBI fielder's choice from Matthew Warkentin, who brought in Robsen for the 1-0 lead. Max Murphy added a solo home run in the top of the fourth — his ninth of the season — to add to the lead before Warkentin had a solo homer of his own in the top of the sixth, padding the lead to 3-0. The RedHawks' Juan Fernández sacrifice fly brought home Alec Olund in the bottom of the seventh, but Winnipeg restored their three-run cushion in the top of the ninth with Sosa's single bringing home Keshawn Lynch. Strobel threw four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out one, while Derrick Cherry earned the win in relief, giving up one run over 1.2 innings with two strikeouts. Ryder Yakel closed out the game with 2.2 scoreless frames, surrendering one walk and striking out one. Before Sunday's matinee series finale, the Goldeyes announced that the contract of right-handed relief pitcher and Toronto product Trevor Brigden had been transferred to the Bravos de León of the Mexican League. Brigden made 16 appearances for Winnipeg, posting a 2-2 record with two saves and a 0.98 earned run average. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Goldeyes pitcher Mitchell Lambson opened Sunday's game by going through the order for the first three innings. The Fish got on the board in the top of the fourth. Ramon Bramasco hit a double before Warkentin's single advanced Bramasco to third. Roby Enriquez brought Bramasco home on a single of his own. Lambson continued to shut down the RedHawks until the sixth, when Fargo-Moorhead's Derek Maiben singled and was advanced around the bases until he was brought home on a double by Juan Fernandez. The game would need two extra innings, before Lambson was substitued for Ben Onyshko in the bottom of the 11th. The RedHawks' Brendon Dadson would score on a single from Dillon Thomas. The Goldeyes return home for a six-game homestand starting Tuesday at Blue Cross Park. The Fish take on the Sioux Falls Canaries in the first series before hosting the Kansas City Monarchs in the weekend series.
