Walking Football is aimed at the over 50’s although most players are over 60. The modified rules, principally no running and no physical contact, lend itself to both men and women to return to or take up a sport that offers significant health benefits in a safe from injury formant. With Football being the largest participation sport in the country with over 1.2m, many drop out playing in their late thirties onward. Walking Football offers the opportunity to re-engage and get active

Started 10 years ago in the UK it has attracted participants worldwide with 100,000 plus registered players in the UK and international tournaments held regularly. In Australia it receives little priority from the Football Associations across the country and is therefore being developed by its own self-funded federation – WFFA.

There is significant evidence based research to demonstrate the health benefits including

•         improved Cardio Vascular Fitness and weight loss

•         reduced hypertension

•         Helps control diabetes, particularly Type 2

•         Better agility

•         Greater mobility

•         Positive mental outlook and mental health

There are demonstrated case studies of improvements in Dementia and Parkinson’s disease sufferers.

The specific aims of this campaign are to

·        Raise awareness of the sport. Very few people are aware of walking football and therefore promotion is a key aim to increase participation. Experience shows that when someone attends their first session they are ‘hooked’. This in turn will increase participation and the new players will spread information by word of mouth

·        To improve standard through coaching and skill development which will attract better players and raise quality in sides which will also expand the player base

·        To support state based trials and coaching and development of national teams. The better the national teams the more the sport will attract high standard players which in turn will attract more participants. There is also a need for the elite players who are unable to self-finance be supported so they can travel to international events

The benefits of Walking Football are huge. Inactivity in Australia came at a cost of nearly $1b in 2013. 10 years later this figure has increased vastly. The older population is the most in active thus getting it playing a competitive sport prolongs life, increases the quality of life and reduces health budgets.

Walking Football is endorsed by Diabetes Australia and Dementia Australia. Paul Wade, ex Socceroo captain, is the sport Ambassador and often travels to tournaments to lend his support for a cause he loves.

https://www.walkingfootballfederation.au/