Stephen, for me it is attitude and values of the player. Sessions become unsafe when players get frustrated either with the ref or each other. Would also stress need for a first aider playing or refereeing the session.
Morning Kevin I think a questionnaire is a must and I would ask them to disclose any medical conditions that you need to be aware of together with any need for med's like inhalers etc. Think about a disclaimer so that they are aware of the risks involved and include contact details for next of kin etc.
At our age group the need for 1st aiders and access to defibrillator would be ideal and i would go as far as encouraging a safety briefing for all, including new members.
Once the health and safety has been addressed then assessing ability will go a long way to ensuring you not only keep new members but retain them.
If you can establish information such as when they have last played, last taken part in sport, who they played for, what league, position played etc. Once you are ready to start I would encourage a coaching session with very little competition. Just start with the basics and include a good warm stretching, walking drills without and then with the ball.
Many of the principles in coaching within football still hold for WF but may just need toning down. It is during these basic drills that you can soon assess a players ability and if these are continued then players will improve. You can step these up by slowly introducing competition and team building into drills such as shuttles with a ball etc. If managed correctly this will also instill good principles for walking football as you look to ensure players are discouraged from running.
That the venue/pitch has been risk assessed by a responsible person. That someone qualified in first aid and has knowledge of the close proximity of a difib and post code of the venue is on site. The person conducting the session has basic knowledge of an adequate warm up and cool down. Also ideally has a sound understanding of the rules and is able to reasonably manage people. Finally all participants personal details are securely kept but are able to be accessed in case of an emergency.
Also I agree with Len regarding a first aider. Our group is fortunate in having its own defibrillator which undoubtedly saved the life of a visiting player who suffered a heart attack during a game
