FA and WFA merging creates opportunities in Women’s Walking Football

Bournemouth Women’s Walking Football Club has quadrupled its number of members in the last three years.

The club has seen a rise from less than 20 players in 2023 to 80 players this year.

Some members took up the sport after experiencing gender inequality in the past.

Sue Wheeler, 67, a new player, said: “You just didn’t do it. Schools didn’t allow it. You weren’t allowed to kick a football.”

Walking football is open to everyone, whether they have played before or are a beginner.

Many members of the club have had a chance to play in their earlier life, but it was never consistent.

Women growing up never had football clubs that were available to them once they reached a certain age.

But Bournemouth Women’s Walking Football Club has allowed them to become more active without feeling guilty of not conforming to social norms when playing.

Walking football functions on being a community led sport, where men and women play together.

However, women’s walking football is women only, but there’s no equivalent men only category.

Bournemouth Women’s Walking Football is open to those aged 18 above, with their oldest player being 81 years of age.

Unlike traditional grassroots football which is dominated by under 40s, walking football has seen the fastest growth in over 50s and over 65s age brackets.

According to Sport England’s Active lives Adult Survey there has been a 7.2% increase in the number of active 55 to 74 year olds, amongst the nation.

It creates a community that helps with not only physical but psychological health.

Regular player Cat Bowers, 41 said: “It’s a really lovely thing to do with a load of like-minded people.”

And added: “They were all coming together and supporting each other to be more active. We make really good friendships.”

The sessions offer more than just a chance to play football, providing an opportunity for players to stay active and improve their wellbeing.

Walking football allows the women’s group to remain active in a less violent way.

Bournemouth walking football competes in Division one and two of the Hampshire and Dorset league.