The "Conca d'Oro" International Walking Football Tournament, organised by the LND – Sicily Regional Committee of the Italian Football Federation, took place in Palermo from October 9 to 11.

The Salisbury team was invited to the event due to growing interest in developing football opportunities for older players in Sicily.

The tournament, which combined a medical conference with a small football competition, highlighted the benefits of walking football.

Salisbury Walking Football took part in the first "Conca d'Oro" International Walking Football Tournament. (Image: Salisbury Walking Football)

These benefits include improvements in physical, mental and social wellbeing.

Several Salisbury players shared personal stories of how walking football helped them regain fitness and confidence following serious health conditions, including heart surgery, brain injury and cancer.

The Salisbury squad consisted of Mark Potts, Christopher Davey-McLean, Mark Jacobs, Mick Nicholson, Chris Patching, Graham Newland, Graham Scott, Malcolm Sheryn, Dave Dunford and Julie Freemantle.

The competition kicked off on Friday with the Salisbury team in Group B, securing victories in both their opening matches.

Saturday saw them draw the first game but win the second, finishing as Group B winners with 10 points and progressing to the semi-finals.

They scored a total of eight goals, conceding only three.

A closely fought semi-final match ended in a 1-0 victory for Salisbury, securing them a place in the final against Heart of Palermo, a team they had already beaten twice in the group stages.

Salisbury Walking Football took part in the first "Conca d'Oro" International Walking Football Tournament. (Image: Salisbury Walking Football)

However, the final ended in a goalless draw, leading to a penalty shootout, which unfortunately did not go Salisbury's way.

Despite this being their only loss of the tournament, the team remained unbeaten in open play.

The tournament also saw Salisbury's only female player, Julie Freemantle, shine as she played two matches for a newly formed "Rest of the World" (mainly UK) women's team and performed well.

The conference and tournament left a lasting impression on the Italian walking football scene.

A club spokesperson said: "Salisbury Walking Football has left a mark on Italian walking football and the outlook to improve health and wellbeing though our club.

"Salisbury pennants fly high in previously unheard of locations across Italy and this island. We have completed our own "Italian Job."

"The conference left the Italian League senior officials from Rome and Sicily in no doubt that we are a club with immense integrity and wholehearted community.

"It was a fabulous week with so many positives.

"The Italians now want to visit Salisbury. That says the impact this group have made."

For those interested in participating in walking football in Salisbury, contact the team via salisburywalkingfootball@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page.