My name is Hannah Marriage, and I am welfare officer to Sleaford Academicals Walking Football Club and secretary to the Lincolnshire FA Walking football League. I am also welfare officer of another club and two other leagues, so am kept busy! I discovered walking football through my partner, Gary, who started playing when he turned 50. Whilst this was only 5 years ago, the walking football scene was very different back then and I remember following him around the country to support his efforts and see him play for one of the England Walking football teams (yes, I called myself a WAG!)
Just over a year ago Gary suggested I get more involved and utilise my nursing skills through both welfare and first aid. Our walking football club were extremely supportive too when I took on the role of welfare officer. Whilst this still isn’t a requirement within walking football, we have found in our club that welfare is an important aspect of everyone’s lives regardless of age. I have had the opportunity to reach out and offer support to injured players and be there in general for people who needed some advice and support. The effort that I put into the club, and the other leagues I have supported saw me named the FA New Volunteer of the Year award this year, which was a huge shock and honour! I had to go to Wembley to collect my award, and even got to carry the Community Shield up to the Royal box at the end of the game. The experience is one I will remember for the rest of my life!
Walking football is not a slow boring sport that most people seem to assume from the title. It is actually much faster paced than many people think and is also a lot more technical than normal football. This is due to not being able to run, so there is a much bigger need to be able to control the ball and pass to feet, rather than boot it and then run to receive the ball. For those that have played football before this is what makes the game so appealing to them, as you are still utilising your skills and enjoying the game of football. Walking football is also accessible to those who haven’t played football before and want to come along to socialise with other people. We have many players down in Sleaford who come and play to keep themselves active and interacting with others. The thought of slaving away in a gym isn’t overly appealing to most of our players, whereas the exercise from walking football is fun and enjoyable. It makes it easier to stick with and commit to week in week out.
The physical health benefits are clear, with many saying they have lost weight and feel generally healthier in themselves. The mental health benefits are also shining through in that people are socialising and making new connections, they are enjoying the fresh air and the comradery gives people a space where they can discuss concerns and issues with others. The club is also investing in providing mental health awareness training later this year which will be brilliant!
In the past year we are also seeing the growth of women wanting to play walking football. Currently the women’s game is behind the men’s game in many ways and there is no veteran footballing outlet. Therefore, for women who stop playing 11-aside in their early 30s feel lost and not sure where to go. Walking football has given these individuals a real outlet to keep playing the game that they love and still be competitive. Within Lincolnshire we have grown our walking football women’s division from 1 to 2; offering over 40s and over 50s, with the plans to continue growing and adding age divisions each year. I am also fortunate enough to be part of the women and girls league and so we are hoping to work on offering some form of cross over match day to encourage those women who are still playing normal football but feel near the end of their playing career to consider playing walking football and keep their career going. Any women who are interested in playing should contact their local club and just attend. Everyone is welcoming and I do believe it is one of the few sports that do cater for all abilities, so it doesn’t matter if you’ve kicked a ball all your life, or not. Everyone would be welcome, and the club will help you find the right playing environment for you.
Or if you don’t feel like putting football boots on is for you, but you still want to be involved in some way (like me – full disclosure, I love football but don’t play) then still reach out. Clubs and leagues are always looking for people to get involved and help where they can.