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Women’s walking football 5 months on and the positive impact it is having on player’s health and wellbeing
Ray Lewis1 Mar - 07:20
Maintaining fitness, mobility and social connections
It has been 5 months since the inaugural women’s walking football session was held on 28th August 2024 and we are steadily growing our membership.
On Tuesday 25th February, 12 ladies played out a six-a-side game at the Alan Higgs centre. See:. Alwyn referees the games and also gives coaching, to help players improve their football skills and get ready for the game.
The players are relishing playing and all say walking football is helping them with their mental and physical wellbeing. As shown in the testimonials below, they say the weekly sessions are very inclusive and welcoming and help them to meet up with a group of lovely ladies who have fun, work together, encourage each other and provide a sense of belonging that is invaluable to them.
Every member will have their own story to tell and we have included several below:
• Kirstie said: “Walking football has had a huge impact on my physical and mental well-being and I can’t recommend it enough. I’m in my mid 50s and I’ve noticed a big difference in my fitness, mobility and energy levels since I joined Alwyn and the team a few months ago. The low-impact nature of the game means I can keep moving, improve my endurance and stay active without worrying about injury or overexertion. It’s helped me feel stronger and more confident in my body again. However, the biggest benefit has been for my mental health. The friendships I’ve made, the laughs I’ve had and the sense of belonging have been invaluable. Walking football has given me something to look forward to on a Tuesday evening and a way to relieve stress, and a space where I can just enjoy the game without any pressure or expectations. I love it! “
• Deb said: “The Tuesday sessions are great fun. Working from home can be isolating so it’s really great to meet up with like-minded ladies & play ‘The beautiful game’. I know that exercise for me also helps my wellbeing. As I close in on the big 6-oh it’s nice to know that I can start new adventures & improve my fitness & health at the same time.”
• Angela said: “I started ladies walking football in November 2024 shortly after my mother passed away. I needed an activity to help me with my mental wellbeing as I felt at a bit of a loss. The walking football is brilliant fun, very inclusive and welcoming and is the first group activity I have taken part in for many years. The exercise is helping my mental wellbeing and the social interaction has been both comforting and very welcome. It has improved my fitness and I really look forward to going out on a Tuesday evening (even when it’s freezing cold) to meet up with a group of lovely ladies who have fun, work together, encourage each other and improve our football skills. I feel so much better physically and mentally having participated and appreciate the coaches patience, advice and encouragement. All in all, one of the best things I have done in years and would thoroughly recommend others to come and join in.”
• Katie said: “Joining the team has given me my first ever experience of playing a sport. It has improved my fitness level no end, given me an opportunity to make friends which I struggle with, hugely improved my ability to work as a team player and improved my overall mental wellbeing. I look forward to each session and the social interaction as well as developing skills.”
• Luca said: "I have been going to the walking football women's sessions since autumn 2024. The weekly sessions are helping with my physical recovery from long term chronic illness and are improving my mental health and well-being. I played football most of my life, but since getting ill three years ago I've been struggling to return to exercise. I was not sure I would play football ever again. So being able to play walking football safely within my current health limitations is amazing. I look forward to the weekly sessions. It is a great, welcoming environment, where I have the opportunity to continue participating in sport despite my illness. After each session I feel more positive and feel like I belong to a team again. Thank you.”
• Hannah said: “I play for this team because I spend half my week in the midlands and I wanted to play more football. I really like the way the club has grown out of a successful men’s section; and I like that there is a real sense of being part of a club. The sessions are always brilliant and it’s great seeing the improvements week on week. I value walking football for my physical health but also my emotional wellbeing, it gives me a fantastic outlet and reconnects me with the sport I loved in my youth. You put so much care into the team and that’s really special especially to players who are new to the sports I’m proud to be part of a team that’s growing and developing week on week.”
On Tuesday 25th February, 12 ladies played out a six-a-side game at the Alan Higgs centre. See:. Alwyn referees the games and also gives coaching, to help players improve their football skills and get ready for the game.
The players are relishing playing and all say walking football is helping them with their mental and physical wellbeing. As shown in the testimonials below, they say the weekly sessions are very inclusive and welcoming and help them to meet up with a group of lovely ladies who have fun, work together, encourage each other and provide a sense of belonging that is invaluable to them.
Every member will have their own story to tell and we have included several below:
• Kirstie said: “Walking football has had a huge impact on my physical and mental well-being and I can’t recommend it enough. I’m in my mid 50s and I’ve noticed a big difference in my fitness, mobility and energy levels since I joined Alwyn and the team a few months ago. The low-impact nature of the game means I can keep moving, improve my endurance and stay active without worrying about injury or overexertion. It’s helped me feel stronger and more confident in my body again. However, the biggest benefit has been for my mental health. The friendships I’ve made, the laughs I’ve had and the sense of belonging have been invaluable. Walking football has given me something to look forward to on a Tuesday evening and a way to relieve stress, and a space where I can just enjoy the game without any pressure or expectations. I love it! “
• Deb said: “The Tuesday sessions are great fun. Working from home can be isolating so it’s really great to meet up with like-minded ladies & play ‘The beautiful game’. I know that exercise for me also helps my wellbeing. As I close in on the big 6-oh it’s nice to know that I can start new adventures & improve my fitness & health at the same time.”
• Angela said: “I started ladies walking football in November 2024 shortly after my mother passed away. I needed an activity to help me with my mental wellbeing as I felt at a bit of a loss. The walking football is brilliant fun, very inclusive and welcoming and is the first group activity I have taken part in for many years. The exercise is helping my mental wellbeing and the social interaction has been both comforting and very welcome. It has improved my fitness and I really look forward to going out on a Tuesday evening (even when it’s freezing cold) to meet up with a group of lovely ladies who have fun, work together, encourage each other and improve our football skills. I feel so much better physically and mentally having participated and appreciate the coaches patience, advice and encouragement. All in all, one of the best things I have done in years and would thoroughly recommend others to come and join in.”
• Katie said: “Joining the team has given me my first ever experience of playing a sport. It has improved my fitness level no end, given me an opportunity to make friends which I struggle with, hugely improved my ability to work as a team player and improved my overall mental wellbeing. I look forward to each session and the social interaction as well as developing skills.”
• Luca said: "I have been going to the walking football women's sessions since autumn 2024. The weekly sessions are helping with my physical recovery from long term chronic illness and are improving my mental health and well-being. I played football most of my life, but since getting ill three years ago I've been struggling to return to exercise. I was not sure I would play football ever again. So being able to play walking football safely within my current health limitations is amazing. I look forward to the weekly sessions. It is a great, welcoming environment, where I have the opportunity to continue participating in sport despite my illness. After each session I feel more positive and feel like I belong to a team again. Thank you.”
• Hannah said: “I play for this team because I spend half my week in the midlands and I wanted to play more football. I really like the way the club has grown out of a successful men’s section; and I like that there is a real sense of being part of a club. The sessions are always brilliant and it’s great seeing the improvements week on week. I value walking football for my physical health but also my emotional wellbeing, it gives me a fantastic outlet and reconnects me with the sport I loved in my youth. You put so much care into the team and that’s really special especially to players who are new to the sports I’m proud to be part of a team that’s growing and developing week on week.”
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