If you’re a new participant, before you book please email us to check availability of places.
For prices or to book a session click here… 
Are you looking for something that’s not only good for you, but fun and social too? Then come along with your friends or make some new friends at one of our friendly walking footy sessions. Our activities offer so much more than just a game. Not only does it provide a great variety of physical exercise that helps increase endurance, boost cardiovascular fitness, reduce blood pressure and build muscle strength; it also has a massive psychological benefit. By boosting your positive feelings it can help keep illnesses such as depression and dementia at bay. As we always advise in this context, it’s not getting old that makes you stop: it’s the stopping that makes you get old.
Walking football has democratised our wonderful team sport like no other format of the game. The game is for all ages; ladies and gents; beginners to veterans. Our sessions provide informal and fun matches; slower paced games with no running and no contact. The games are played in the right spirit, with respect and thought for others, so there’s no need for referees. Instead at the sessions we have fully trained and qualified supervisors that ensure you have a great time free from any concern. Leading the event they make sure the sessions run appropriately, safely and where everyone has the opportunity enjoy themselves.
Established in 2015, Sporting now has over 50 regular players in three weekly sessions. We are affiliated with The FA, and align ourselves with the aims, standards, and playing rules of the separate Walking Football Association (WFA); the organisation that pioneered and developed this format of the game long before the FA recognised it.
The WFA offer a: “Uniquely real walking football experience. No running and no contact. Promoting duty of care and increased inclusive participation.”
WFA Website
WFA YouTube Channel
Inclusion
Sporting offers all age sessions that are open to anyone: any age, any gender and any ability. In particular the Wobbly Walking Futsal sessions offer a very much slower paced game for those with a temporary or permanent impairment, either physical or psychological. Age wise we have players that are in their teens, right through to one who is in his eighties!
All sessions run with our enhanced ‘respect’ game rules, which include no overhead height and utmost consideration to others when shooting (power and height). At the same time however, Wobbly players must of course be physically capable and medically safe.
Game format
We play indoor 5-a-side (or thereabouts, depending on numbers) ‘Fast Futsal‘ – a slightly modified version of the game that keeps the ball moving, and we apply a ‘MiniFutsal™‘ format (small pitch) which reduces the temptation to run and focuses play on skill and strategy rather than physical attributes. We also have a few special rules to reduce the risk of injury: no overhead ball, all free kicks are indirect and shooting is only allowed in the opposition half.
Regular activities
Sporting run three weekly activities where players join as club members and attend one of the regular sessions. However, players can become a member of more than one regular session, or ‘Pay and Play’ attendance at an additional session (by prior arrangement).
Mondays – ALL AGE
Victory Sports Ground sports hall, 7-8pm
Normally four scratch teams each week – round robin game format
Currently this session has a place!
Wednesdays – WOBBLY WALKING FUTSAL
Skyliner Sports Centre sports hall, 5-6pm
Two scratch teams each week
Currently this session is full.
Thursdays – ALL AGE
Skyliner Sports Centre sports hall, 7-8pm
Normally four scratch teams each week – round robin game format
Currently this session has a place!
Competition
Our aim was and remains to build community and fellowship through playing regular fun games, but for a slightly more formal experience we hold an annual all-comers tournament structured as a round-robin festival. Player entry fees, along with monies raised through sales of food and drink, and local business contributions are donated to charity. The light hearted annual festival has proven very popular with a mix of regular members, players and teams from other activities we run, and associated friends and family. We also occasionally entertain a few like-minded walking football clubs from across the County with friendly matches. These test the more competitive in our groups who opt to do this.
Tempted?
Here are a few more reasons to give walking football a go; it’s a list made up from our members’ feedback.
- Improve mood/sense-of-wellbeing
- Meet new people/make new friends
- Start playing football again
- Bring back memories
- Be part of the game I love
- Stay feeling young
- Advised to start playing by a healthcare professional
- Improve/maintain mental health
- Improve/maintain physical health and fitness
- Try something different/new
- No longer able to play or enjoy regular football
- Have fun and be part of a team
- Have time to yourself
- Boost confidence and have a sense of achievement
- Be good at something and develop skills
- Play competitively
Hear what Roy Hodgeson thinks of walking footy.
How ‘walking football’ is helping men with mental health problems.
Take a look at one of our sessions below.
If you’re a new participant, before you book please email us to check availability of places.
For prices or to book a session click here…