Alan Bowers talks about the Community's Extra Time Programme
It’s always amazing for us to hear how much sessions run by Shrewsbury Town in the Community can mean to people, and you have to look no further than Alan Bowers to see what our programmes have to offer those in the community.Alan, 69, is a season ticket holder at Shrewsbury Town, but is also an active member of our Extra Time programme.
Alan has been with us since the club started five years ago, and up until recently was also a part of our walking football team.
Extra Time is a session run by Amy Edwards every Thursday, to involve those over the age of 50 in sporting activity and socialising.
It’s not just limited to football, either. Alan and co find themselves doing a range of different activities each week, and whether it’s hockey, rounders, basketball, walking football or ten pin bowling, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into.
Speaking of the programme, he said: “It’s such a good group of people, and they all get on with one another.
“It doesn’t matter what we’re doing, they just get out there, get some air in their lungs and just do something a bit different.”
When asked how much he has gained since joining us at Extra Time, he added: “So much. Making friends, keeping healthy, keeping fit. When you retire, you get to a point of, ‘what do I do next?’
“You can’t go to a pub every day, can you? Well… Maybe you can!
“But you don’t want to do that, you want to do something different. We want to do visits, we go to the pantomime every year at Theatre Severn and we have a trip every year.”
Alan believes the programme offers something for everyone, and says anyone thinking of coming along on a Thursday would be a decision they wouldn’t regret.
“I just think it’s tremendous, and I think a lot more people should come and join in.
“It’s just a relaxed atmosphere, it’s great.
“What I would say to people is just come along, get involved with it. They might be surprised.”
Our Extra Time sessions will be starting up again after the Easter break at Shrewsbury Powerleague (10am-12pm) on Thursday 27th April.
If you’re over 50 or know someone who is and might be interested in coming along, get in touch! Email us at community@shrewsburytown.co.uk
You won’t regret it!