Walking Football for Clubs & Organisers: How to Start, Run & Support Your Team | Champion Her Game

Walking Football for Clubs & Organisers: How to Start, Run & Support Your Team

Thinking about starting a walking football group or supporting a team?

Whether you're a coach, volunteer, player or organiser, creating a space for women to play can have a huge impact — not just on fitness, but on confidence, connection and community.

This guide covers everything you need to get started, from finding a venue and funding, to creating a welcoming environment and choosing the right kit.

How do I start a walking football group?

Starting a walking football group doesn't need to be complicated.

Most sessions begin with a small group of players and grow over time.

A simple starting point:

Find a small group of interested players
Secure a local venue or pitch
Set a consistent day and time
Keep the first sessions relaxed and beginner-friendly

You don't need everything perfect from the start — consistency and a welcoming environment matter more.

Where can I host a walking football session?

One of the first steps is finding a suitable space to play.

Common options include:

Goals Football Centres
Powerleague
Local leisure centres
School or community pitches
Indoor sports halls

Many venues offer flexible bookings, making it easy to start with one session per week and build from there.

Are there grants available for women's walking football?

Yes — there is increasing support for grassroots football, particularly for women's participation.

You can explore funding through:

The Football Foundation
Sport England
The FA

These organisations often support:

facility hire
equipment
new community sessions

Funding can help reduce costs for players and make sessions more accessible.

How do I create a welcoming environment for beginners?

For many women, the biggest barrier to joining isn't ability — it's confidence.

Creating the right environment can make all the difference.

Simple ways to support this:

Keep sessions beginner-friendly
Avoid pressure or overly competitive setups early on
Use inclusive, encouraging language
Reassure new players that it's okay not to know everything

The goal is to create a space where people feel comfortable showing up — everything else builds from there.

What should a walking football team wear?

Clothing plays a bigger role than many organisers expect.

It's not just about performance — it's about how players feel.

Key considerations:

Comfort – breathable fabrics that don't cling
Confidence – many players prefer darker colours like black
Fit – relaxed options often feel more inclusive than tight sportswear

Choosing the right kit helps players feel more at ease, especially when starting out.

What kit do I need to get started?

You don't need a lot to begin — but a few simple items can make sessions run more smoothly:

Footballs
Cones or markers
Bibs to separate teams

👉 Explore training bibs for sessions →

Bibs are especially useful in early sessions, helping keep things simple and flexible without needing full team kits straight away.

When should we introduce teamwear?

Many groups start with casual sessions and introduce teamwear later.

This often happens when:

the group becomes more regular
players want a sense of identity
sessions feel more established

At this point, introducing simple, comfortable teamwear can help build a stronger sense of belonging.

👉 Explore training tops for teams →

What about match or game tops?

For more structured sessions or teams entering leagues, game tops can add a sense of identity and pride.

The key is to keep the same focus:

comfort
confidence
inclusivity

👉 Explore game tops →

How do I choose kit that works for everyone?

One of the biggest challenges is making sure all players feel comfortable in what they're wearing.

Look for:

a wide range of sizes (e.g. Small to XXL)
fits that aren't restrictive
styles that don't feel overly “performance-focused”

Many women prefer options that feel more relaxed and less revealing — especially when returning to sport.

Should sessions be casual or competitive?

Walking football can be adapted to suit your group.

Many organisers start with:

casual, social sessions
beginner-friendly games

As confidence grows, some groups move towards:

structured training
league matches

Starting simple helps build confidence and encourages more players to join.

How do I grow a walking football group?

Growth often happens naturally once people have a positive experience.

Simple ways to build your group:

Encourage players to bring a friend
Share sessions in local community groups
Work with local clubs or organisations
Keep sessions consistent

A welcoming environment is the biggest driver of growth.

Designed for real players and real environments

Champion Her Game training tops and teamwear are designed with real experiences in mind.

Designed by women who have played the game — and still do — we understand the importance of comfort, confidence and feeling like you belong.

Whether it's a first session or a growing club, the right kit helps players feel part of something.

Ready to support your team?

Whether you're just starting out or building a regular group, creating the right environment makes all the difference.