Understanding Participant Experiences of Walking Football in Australia

This report was commissioned by Football Australia to examine participant experiences of walking football; a small-sided, low-impact, modified football program for over 65s. Walking football is non-contact and requires participants to always have one foot on the ground, and focuses on passing rather than speed and running. Walking football aims to promote physical activity among older Australians and to provide physical, social, and mental health benefits. This report includes qualitative research analysis of in-depth interviews with 53 walking football participants. These participants were 70% male and ranged in age from 42 to 81 years. Their perspectives are reflective of participating in walking football across NSW, ACT, Queensland, Victoria, and WA. This report finds that walking football is certainly an attractive option for participating in physical activity, and the modified structure is indeed perceived as slower and safer for participants, regardless of skill level. Despite the welcoming nature of walking football in relation to skill level, the game typically appears to draw in those with prior football experience. While this demonstrates the capacity for walking football to enable those who used to play football to stay active as they age, there is a potential to increase involvement from those without football experience. The small number of people who do play walking football without any football experience certainly note that their lack of skill or knowledge does not restrict them in any way, but it was random luck that they found out walking football existed.