Walking Football: Supporting a new way to play

a team posing on a walking football tournament

We all know that football, and by this we mean association football, is the world's most popular team sport. Played by millions of people, its simple formula is the reason it brings joy to so many. Children all over the world are kicking a ball from the time they take their first steps. And once you fall in love with the game, you’re hooked. It fosters teamwork and brings people together. It unites people and communities. It is called ‘the beautiful game’ for a reason.

However, the fast-paced version of the game isn’t for everyone, hence the birth of competitive Walking Football back in 2011. This unique, small-sided game with no contact, unlimited substitution and, crucially no running, is taking the world by storm. It’s easy to see why – it breaks down so many barriers whilst providing social interaction and community engagement opportunities.

With the sport’s values closely aligned with the principles that sit at the heart of kp’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion strategy, we’re delighted kp Featherstone has partnered with The Walking Football Association (WFA) to support its volunteer team to develop the sport.

But what are the benefits of Walking Football? And how has kp’s support enabled both grassroots and national teams to flourish in the UK?

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Fun, friendship and fitness: the benefits of walking football

Walking Football has always been an inclusive and diverse sport with most clubs running mixed sessions in terms of age, ability, and gender. The number of women-only sessions is growing quickly, as is the number of teams to support those living with Parkinson’s .

With the threat of pain, discomfort or injury vastly reduced, people are connecting to local clubs as they realise they can gain a range of benefits.

According to The WFA these benefits can include:

Physical benefits

Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and strokes.
Improvement in blood pressure, cholesterol, resting heart rate, blood sugar levels and bone density.
Promotion of positive changes in postural balance.

Mental benefits

Reduced anxiety and depression, as a result of increased self-confidence and self-esteem.
Increased social inclusion, particularly for those living with a disease such as Parkinson’s ¹

Social benefits

Reduced loneliness, giving often isolated individuals the chance to become involved in a team sport and make new friends.

Ken Davies, Head of Marketing at the WFA, said: “Walking Football has brought a new lease of life and love of the game to so many people in such a short period of time. The health and wellbeing benefits are too numerous to mention. But it might be the mental health benefits that are the most outstanding. People in the later stages of life, who might have otherwise been stuck at home by themselves, are now making new friends and new relationships.”

¹^{Parkinson's is a progressive neurological disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. Find out more at https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/what-parkinsons}

Our first year working together

kp is proud to be a supporter of the WFA. Together we’re enabling more players to get involved in the sport and reap the physical, mental and social benefits.

To kick off our partnership in 2022, a friendly tournament was organised to celebrate the inclusive nature of the sport. With players from the over 40s, 50s and 60s women, over 50s, 60s, 65s, 70s and 75s men, and a debut from the newly formed Parkinson’s England teams, it was a superb way to launch a relationship that is focused on driving up participation and further enhancing the WFA’s inclusion and equality programmes.

Through the kp x WFA partnership so far we’ve been able to support and develop:

Grassroots clubs

15 new Walking Football sessions have been started with the support of a kp session grant. These small grants enable existing clubs to increase diversity and provide fun, safe training spaces to more people and have seen women only, impairment and mixed sessions launched.

The WFA Grassroots awards

To recognise and thank all the amazing voluntary work and achievements at grassroots level, kp supported the WFA to expand its Grassroots Awards to include the women’s and impairment teams clubs and coaches.

The England Walking Football teams

17 mixed and women’s regional teams, which provide the pathway from club to national Walking Football, have benefited from our support.
The England teams now have their kit sponsored by kp, and have recently travelled to matches in France, Guernsey and Northern Ireland.

At kp we take mental health, and wellbeing in general, seriously. I’m proud to be able to demonstrate my commitment, and kp’s commitment to developing diversity, by being able to support an organisation whose values align so closely with ours when it comes to equity and inclusion.

Adam Barnett

President, FP Division

Adam Barnett, President, FP Division, commented: At kp we take mental health, and wellbeing in general, seriously. I’m proud to be able to demonstrate my commitment, and kp’s commitment to developing diversity, by being able to support an organisation whose values align so closely with ours when it comes to equity and inclusion.
“This sport offers so much to so many. From the Parkinson’s team, the impairment teams, the women’s and men’s teams, to the mixed teams, I’d love to see more of our employees all over the world benefit from participation in a sport such as Walking Football”.

Stuart Langworthy, Grassroots Director said "We are so grateful to kp – your partnerhsip has enabled us to support so many people playing the game at different levels, from start-up grants, to regional support, to supporting our England teams."

From the launch event at Burton on Trent, through to the end of the first year of our partnership, there have been so many success stories. We’re excited to see what we can achieve together next!

“Having worked at kp, and with Adam, it is great to see this partnership with the WFA unfold. I’d also urge any of you who are curious about the sport to give it a go!”

Graham Collier

Former kp employee and England Walking Football player

Ready to give Walking Football a go?

Walking Football is changing peoples’ lives, giving them a new lease of life and providing opportunities that most could not even have dreamed of. The physical and mental health and well-being benefits are immense for the more mature generation and people with impairments.

Although now 70, and an integral part of the England Over 60s Walking Football team, former kp employee and England Walking Football player, Graham Collier, is an advocate of the sport and urges kp colleagues to check out clubs in their local area, saying: “Having worked at kp, and with Adam, it is great to see this partnership with the WFA unfold. I’d also urge any of you who are curious about the sport to give it a go!”

It really is an amazing sport, one of the fastest growing in the world with over 150,000 players in England and teams in more than 60 countries, so what are you waiting for? Why not find out what all the fuss is about and get in touch with a club near you!

You can find out more at https://thewfa.co.uk/club-directory/ and https://www.fiwfa.org/