BROMSGROVE is set to be the first place in the world to trial Walking Rounders.
The slower version of the game will become the sixth walking sport the town is putting on for players.
Alan Gormley and his Bromsgrove Walking Sports Centre became the first place on the planet to start Walking Hockey, back in 2017,
He then helped other areas across the UK play it and was instrumental in exporting it around the world, travelling to different countries to explain how it worked.
Since then, the hub has introduced walking cricket, football, rugby and netball which were previously played at other places.
Now Alan has the chance to try out another walking sport and has met with Rounders England to talk about how it would work.
He said: “The meeting went really well but Walking Rounders has only ever been talked about before with basic rules established.
“Because no-one has actually tried it, there is not currently an ‘oven ready’ Walking Rounders product.
“We will be working with Rounders England to develop it.”
So when will see Walking Rounders in Bromsgrove?
A pilot session will be held on February 27 and Alan said he hoped the finalised version of the game would go live after Easter and admitted a sense of de ja vu.
“It feels a bit like Walking Hockey all over again, little old Bromsgrove leading the way.”
Alan intended to look at Walking Rounders previously but then the pandemic got in the way and his time was taken up with re-establishing the other sports after Covid.
Then last month he was due to go to America to help launch Walking Hockey over there but fell ill and could not go.
Not one to waste time, he decided to have another look at Walking Rounders and put some posts on social media to gauge whether there would be any interest.
Alan said: “I was astounded and overwhelmed – we have already had more than 60 people express an interest in playing it so I think when we do get it up and running, it will be really popular.
“It’s quite exciting that there is so much enthusiasm for Walking Rounders and it’s fantastic to be going in again on the ground floor.”
Rhian Lilley, Director of Development at Rounders England, said it was excited to be working with Bromsgrove Walking Sports Centre to introduce Walking Rounders to its offering.
“As the National Governing Body for the sport of Rounders we are keen to evolve the game so that it truly is inclusive to all.
“The elements of Rounders are perfect to transform into a walking sport, while still maintaining the aspects of skill and competition that many can fondly remember from their schooldays.
“Alan at Bromsgrove Walking Sports Centre has a wealth of experience delivering and promoting walking sports and it is fantastic that he is eager to make Rounders available to the community in Bromsgrove.”
Email Alan at [email protected] or call him on 07731 369942 for more on Walking Rounders and the other sports.
