27/03/2026
WHAT GENERATIONAL DIVIDE?!
We hear a lot about tensions between generations, about the kids who are glued to social media and the older adults who never leave their armchairs, and never the twain do meet.
So, on Wednesday, to challenge those tropes ‘Your Back Yard’ teamed up with Leeds Older People's Forum to put on a festival of sport, of intergenerational walking sports, at the YMCA sports fields.
Taking part were St Bartholomew's C of E Primary School - Leeds (9- and 10-year-olds), West Leeds SILC (12-16 year olds ) and St Marys Menston 6th formers (16-17 year olds)
They each played walking cricket, walking football and walking netball against well established older adult walking sports teams; U3A Leeds cricketers, Bramley Walking Wanderers and the Headingley netwalkers.
The event was superbly supported by a team of volunteers, all Age Friendly Ambassadors from Leeds Older Peoples Forum, a group of people who volunteer to help make Leeds the very best Age Friendly City!
Despite an apocalyptic weather forecast, the sun defied the meteorologists and shone all morning (ok it was a bit blowy, and heat was never a factor, but you can’t have it all).
And what a fantastic morning. From the feedback everyone, adults and children, absolutely loved pitting their sporting wits against different generations. St Marys won the inaugural trophy, (we plan to make it an annual event), and everyone got a medal presented by our wonderful sponsors Full Circle Funerals , who paid for just about everything!
And I wouldn’t mind a pound for every adult that came up to me and remarked at how lovely, respectful and well behaved all the youngsters were.
Perhaps one quote from someone who wasn’t even playing, summed it up so nicely
“Great fun, even as a spectator. Lovely to see everyone joining in and enjoying themselves, and talking, and helping each other”
The aim had been to bring together all generations in a festival of walking sport, with everyone playing together to compete on a level playing field (literally!) to the same rules, with the same goals of getting some exercise, having some fun and making new friends.
Job done, can’t wait for the next one!
