Inspired by the recent Premier League excitement or the tension of FIFA World Cup qualifiers, many might feel the urge to get back on the pitch.
While a call-up to the England squad might be a distant dream, a more accessible and equally rewarding option exists: walking football. This increasingly popular sport offers all the thrill of the beautiful game, but without the intensity or pressure.
Between 2021 and 2023, Age UK partnered with Sport England and the Football Association to establish the Age UK Walking Football Programme. This initiative has led to a proliferation of local walking football games, clubs, and sessions now running across the UK every week, making it easier than ever to join.
“It’s a slower, more gentle version of the game that everyone loves because when players are moving around the pitch they are walking rather than running,” explains Alison Ingram, programme director at Age UK. “Anyone can get involved, irrespective of their ability or experience.
“It’s much more accessible, particularly for people with long-term conditions, who are a bit older, have dementia or have had a fall and are trying to build up their confidence again.”
Here are six reasons why you should take up walking football later in life…
1. It’s inclusive
“Football is a really great leveller compared to lots of other activities. Lots of people aren’t aware of what activities such as Tai Chi or Zumba involve, but most people have some understanding of what football is,” says Ingram.
She highlights how walking football attracts people from lots of different backgrounds and ages.
“All sorts of people – men, women, people who are in their 50s, people who are in their 80s – come to our walking football sessions,” says Ingram. “We also have players who have specific conditions, such as people who are living with dementia, people living with Parkinson’s and even people who have recently had a stroke.
“All our players and volunteers are really encouraging and cheer people on, particularly when they first start.”
2. Provides the opportunity to build friendships
“We’re really pleased that word of mouth about our walking football sessions has spread so quickly and we often find that once one person joins, their friends and family members start to come along too,” says Ingram.
“It provides people with the opportunity to get to know people they would never otherwise have crossed paths with and we know that lots of people have developed great friendships from being part of these groups.”
3. Keeps you active
“We know that being more physically active can really help improve your stamina and strength, and walking football enables those things to happen because you’re moving around so much during the sessions,” says Ingram. “Playing football is great for your heart and can help people lose weight.
“We also know that playing football can really help with bone strength, and that’s something that people can often be a bit concerned about as they get older.”
4. Sharpens your decision-making skills
“It can really improve your decision-making skills because you have to consider who you’re going to pass the ball to next, where you should stand and how you are working together as a team, which can really help sharpen your thinking skills,” says Ingram.
5. Helps improve balance and coordination
“In walking football you’re constantly moving around the pitch and changing direction which really encourages your brain and your body to work together and to think about how you’re staying upright,” says Ingram.
“When you’re playing football, you can’t always predict what’s going to happen, so that means that you’re having to coordinate your thinking, your muscles, and your limbs to respond to a situation that you might not have anticipated.
“Training your body to respond to different situations and challenges means that you will be far more able to keep your balance during situations off the pitch.”
6. Boosts confidence
“Being part of a team can really give someone a sense of purpose and boost their confidence,” recognises Ingram. “Also, the challenge of doing something new and slowly being able to see that you’re making improvements week on week can be really affirming.”
Taking part in walking football can often act as a gateway into other things.
“It’s a really great way for people to get moving and involved in something, and opens up a whole world of possibilities,” says Ingram. “It might give people the confidence to get involved with other activities.”
Many local Age UK services across the country host welcoming Walking Football sessions and other activity groups. To find out what’s going on in your area, visit Age Uk or call the Age UK Advice Line on 0800 169 6565.
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