I knew women’s football had become mainstream over the last decade, but it was only when I began using Instagram that I discovered that women of all ages are starting to play football.

I’ve been following loads of women’s teams, so I now get suggestions for recreational and veteran teams across the South Coast, and more recently I discovered walking football.

We are in Christchurch, Dorset and it’s been amazing to discover all the opportunities for playing Women’s Walking Football in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area.

Where to play Women’s Walking Football

Please check out these details with the organisers before travelling in case this info changes (July 2023).

AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust Walking Football – mixed sessions on Weds 3.30pm up at the Vitality Stadium.  A fun hour of walking football on a springy astroturf over the fence from the pro team training pitch!  A roughly 60 / 40 men / women split, and all very friendly and encouraging to newbies as well as long-time players like me who are otherwise ‘well past it’  – my description!

https://thewfa.co.uk/directory/afc-bournemouth-community-sports-trust/

---

Bournemouth Walking Football Club Women’s Section – Friday nights 7.15pm – 8.30pm at the Littledown Leisure Centre, Castle Lane, Bournemouth

This super-enthusiastic group of women of all ages roughly 30-65 have been so welcoming, coaching from Ed & Alan & Hazel.  Drills followed by coached games, there is also the opportunity to play in arranged matches.  Often accompanied in summer months by live music from the Littledown bar terrace!

Contact: heatherwalkingfc@hotmail.com

https://thewfa.co.uk/directory/bournemouth-walking-football-club-women/

---

Lilliput FC Women’s Walking Football – Mondays 12.30 – 1.30pm at Whitecliff Rec, Poole – another fabulous ‘off-shoot’ group organised by Toko as part of Lilliput FC. Quickly becoming established in its own right, very informal but organised and well worth a visit not just for stunning views across Poole Harbour!

https://www.instagram.com/lilliputfc_womens_walking

---

Wimborne Town FC: Monday Morning Walking Football Session 

Held every Monday morning in nearby Wimborne – contact the club for more info –

New Cuthbury, 16 Ainsley Road, Wimborne BH21 2FU – info@wimbornetownfc.co.uk

---

What is Walking Football?

I began 2023 with a New Year’s Resolution to ‘have more fun’.  I’ve attended nearly all of the above sessions at least once in the last six weeks, and have definitely ticked that box!

And as someone who has played in teams since the age of 16 back in 1983, I thought I’d never play footy again.

It takes a bit of getting used to, as for me the joy of football was in the nipping about, leaping around, chasing, tackling and putting in a cross after a sprint down the wing.

Walking Football is a different experience. The ball cannot go above head height, so crossing is out, no heading, and as you can’t go beyond a fast walk, you have to play the ball to feet usually.  Playing the ball into space can create difficulties for the player who has to stretch to reach a pass.  Tackling rules are quite strict, in effect only from the front not side or behind.

The main challenge is not to run (some people cheat a bit!) and to remember it’s competitive but needs to allow for the age-range of the people playing.  The ‘no-running’ rule is crucial because it is a great leveller. There’s very little ego here, but a lot of skill, laughter and encouragement.

Walking Football – and never played Football before?

The most impressive thing for me is watching how well women play who have just taken it up! You’ll find some great reading of the game, and technical skill levels from 50+ women who say ‘I’ve only ever played in the garden with kids / grandkids’.  There’s help from the coaches and from those who understand the game a bit more, but it’s not patronising.

Needless to say all this fast ‘walking’ is challenging on my legs & feet (obviously crocked from the many hard years of playing football and lacrosse) and at present I’m having to have enforced ‘rests’, saving myself and looking forward to the next time I can join in. My creaking 56 year old body just isn’t doing what my brain says, but at walking football sessions this state of play is pretty much ‘par for the course’.

It really is never too late – join in the Women’s Walking Football Revolution!

Come along and give it a go – see links above for local Bournemouth contact details & venues. Photos are courtesy of the Bournemouth Walking Football Club Womens Facebook page 🙂

For rest of UK – see:

https://thewfa.co.uk

Having a gift for football can get you going in the sport as a youngster, but you need more than that to make it to the top of your game.

Pro players have to be ‘rounded’ and become great at everything to get to and stay in the top flight.

They have to develop fitness, awareness, technical skills, consistent attitude, and work on other (sometimes more natural) aptitudes – like bravery, determination, creativity.

One real joy of watching your team is discovering a new player and what they naturally bring to the team, then over time seeing them develop their game further.

A Natural Gift

Most successful players have at least one strength naturally – a football ‘gift’.  It might appear to be natural, like being a fast runner, or having ‘quick feet’ or a good sense of balance. But most times this is something they’ve found they have an aptitude for and as a result have then worked hard at.

Looking back at my own footballing abilities, I wasn’t great at dribbling.  Probably because as a girl in the 1970s I never grew up around other footballers enough to practice.  But I could put in a good cross, after many hours of running down the wing on my own and putting in balls for imaginary team-mates!  And I learnt how to make the most of a nifty Cruyff turn.

Sometimes this was enough to compensate for my inability to dribble, sometimes it wasn’t! I learnt how my best game was to put in a good through pass, or do a give and go, and I had fitness and speed to make this effective.

Use your brain as well as your feet

Remember that there’s more to being a good footballer than just being the one who is strong ‘on the ball’.  Where you stand or run to help other players out, or keep defenders occupied, can be just as important.  Understanding positional play and what different formations do, can give you great advantages.

So as a young player, make sure you know what you’re good at, but also what you need to work at.

Don’t be afraid to ask people if you’re not sure, and listen to your coaches – but don’t ever think you can’t improve.

Photo credit: https://www.pexels.com/@ashleyrae/

How can your #MountFooty help?

Why not print out your motivational quotes or your list of goals, slot them in the top picture frame, and keep referring to them, to keep focussed and improve your game.