COMPETITIVE care home residents went head-to-head as part of a football-themed tournament designed to get the elderly engaging in physical exercise.

The Colchester Care Home World Cup, which took place at Colchester Sports Park, was hotly contested by 54 residents and 22 carers from seven homes in the city.

Hosted by FaNs and Colchester Council using NHS funding, the event saw pensioner participants don team uniforms and take part in a tailored warm-up routine.

They then tackled a penalty shootout led by Colchester United FC, a football Top Trumps card game and a tense foosball table competition.

Banishing stereotypes, the elderly sports stars also played the FIFA videogame on a PlayStation, and also battled it out during a themed craft session and quiz.

After working up an appetite, the residents sat down for a World Cup themed party lunch, during which they were served delicious hot dogs as trophies were awarded.

The overall winners of the tournament consisted of residents from Crouch Friars Residential Home, who were given the Street Tag Care Home World Cup.

Joyce, 86, one of the competitors who took part in the games day, said: “It was lovely, and so nice to be invited.

“It was nice to be out of the home seeing other people and trying something new.”

Tony Lee, FaNs communities network lead for Essex, stressed the importance of physical exercise in improving the mental health of the elderly.

He added: “It’s important older people in care homes enjoy the benefits of fitness and movement, no matter their mobility, which is why we always run multiple activities.

“I’d like to thank Colchester Council for donating four foosball tables to care homes after the event, continuing the legacy of getting older people up and active.”

Julie Young, Colchester councillor responsible for housing and communities, said being able to enrich the lives of the city’s elderly popular is something to be proud of.

She said: “Projects such as the Care Home World Cup, Park Play, and Street Tag, encourage those who might otherwise be inactive to benefit from physical activity.

“Activity can help prevent illness and pain, improve sleep, lessen anxiety, improve brain and heart health.

“I’m proud of Colchester for running such events and know that in 2023 more is planned to get residents up and moving.”