About 60 people turned out to try the new sport, which was part of the Cessnock City Seniors Festival program. 

Seniors festival committee member Phil Baird said it was an “absolutely wonderful” morning.

“It was just marvellous, everyone enjoyed themselves,” he said.

“It was so good to hear all the laughter.”

Cessnock’s senior citizen of the year Ron Jackson was given the honour of ‘first bounce’.

Children from St Patrick’s primary school played a demonstration game before the senior citizens took to the court for a morning of fun.

Walking basketball is played on a full-sized court with 107cm hoops.

Mr Baird said he hopes to form a committee that will coordinate regular games of walking basketball in Cessnock.

A meeting will be held at Cessnock Toyota Stadium on Friday, March 17 at 10am for anyone interested in taking part.

Meanwhile, the Cessnock City Seniors Festival runs until March 18, with many more highlights to come, including concerts at Abermain Plaza Hall and Cessnock Performing Arts Centre, and an open day at Calvary Retirement Community.

See the full program on council’s website or call into the council’s administration building or libraries for a hard copy.