WALKING FOOTBALL
THE SLOWER VERSION OF THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

Join us on Friday nights at Petone Memorial Park during Term 2 2023 for Walking Football. 

7:15pm - 8:15pm​​​​​​​

WHAT IS WALKING FOOTBALL?

Although Walking Football shares similarities with regular association football, the two have many differences. The biggest difference is that running is off-limits – this includes jogging! But you can ‘walk’ as fast as you want, as long as “one foot is in contact with the ground at all times”. Walking Football is a bespoke, non-contact sport created in 2011 by John Croot for the older generation, with age-appropriate and very simple rules designed with health and safety as the paramount consideration.

WHO CAN PLAY WALKING FOOTBALL?

Walking Football was conceived as a sport to be played by men over 50 and women over 40. However, Walking Football can be played by any age group! This is due to the lack of contact and no running.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Walking Football offers many health benefits to older people, including reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and strokes. It promotes positive changes in postural balance, blood pressure, cholesterol, resting heart rate, blood sugar levels, and bone density, all of which are indicators of general good health.

BASIC RULES OF WALKING FOOTBALL

• Any running or jogging will usually result in an indirect free kick
• Non-contact
• Above head height restriction on ball
• Deflection above head height by goalkeeper – ball retained by keeper
• No heading the ball
• All free kicks indirect
• No offsides
• No tackling from behind
• No direct goal from kick-offor any dead ball situation
• All free kicks have defenders 3-metres distant
• Players may not play the ball whilst grounded – including slide tackling and slide blocks
• Cornering a player is not permitted – allow the opponent to turn
• No 2 versus 1 tackling at barriers/wall
• No tackling across an opponent at a wall/barrier
• Playing with reckless or dangerous intent is an infringement
• One-step penalty kicks
​​​​​​​• No restriction on passing back or out from the goalkeeper
• Sin Bin time out for three either same or different infringements
• Zero tolerance on abusive conduct

KIT

Players can wear anything they feel comfortable in but we do recommend the following: 
​​​​​​​
• Surface appropriate trainers or boots
• A breathable shirt
• Breathable shorts
• Shin pads
• Football socks
​​​​​​​• Hat, cap, or gloves – as appropriate for the weather