Walking Football
Supported by Suffolk's Most Active Partnership
Think your playing days are over? Think again!
Walking Football is a relatively new format of football aimed at encouraging older adults to play again, on a regular basis.
The game comprises of the same rules as standard football, except players are not permitted to run. As a result, the game relies less on physical attributes such as speed, power and stamina - and more on accurate passing, good positional play and strong tactical knowledge.
This particular format engages an age group that isn’t normally associated with playing the game, and gives footballers over 50 years old the opportunity to rekindle their playing days and stay active. Walking Football is not played as you might stereotypically think - it is very adaptable, can be played at any level of skill, speed and is open to all ages and abilities.
It can be played indoors or outdoors depending on weather and available facilities, variations and game adaptations can be made to suit participants’ needs and capabilities. Play the game you love but reduce the chances of injury. It's a great way to keep fit, learn skills, have fun and socialise all at the same time!
Rules / Guidelines
• Players are prohibited from sprinting, running or jogging while the ball is in play
• Anyone doing so is penalised with a free-kick awarded to the other team
• No slide tackles are allowed
• Played with a size 4 Futsal ball (if available) indoors or use a traditional ball outdoors
• If the ball goes off the pitch over the touchline, the game is restarted via a kick, roll or throw-in (to allow for different physical capabilities) Note: It is strongly recommended to use a roll or kick in for indoor facilities
Suffolk FA are committed to the development and growth of Walking Football in the County, and we have been helping new clubs start up across Suffolk with advice from members of our development team.
Funding for ten new Walking Football Centres in the county has been made made available through Suffolk County Council's Most Active Partnership programme. If you are interested in establishing a Walking Football Centre in your area, please contact Kirsty Smith, whose details are shown alongside.
The sport is continuing to grow and develop and alongside the popular demand for recreational walking football, we’re now recognising the increased demand for a competitive element to this slower-paced version of the beautiful game. So, whether you’re looking for a social kick about or to find your old competitive edge, in Suffolk we have something to suit you.
Below is a list of the locations, days and times that Walking Football is currently taking place in Suffolk along with names of contacts for each venue in the county.
Get In Touch
Kirsty Smith - Football Development Officer (Growth)
01449 616606 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) / 07432 735985
Sundays 9am-10am.
Venue: The Nest, Common Lane South, Beccles NR34 9RH
Contact Jonathan Blankley 07523 034244 or alized2020@outlook.com
Wednesdays 7pm-8pm.
Contact Gary Rampley 07716 188800.
Bury Leisure Centre, Beetons Way, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3TT. Wednesdays 5-6pm.
For more information contact Charlie via email keepactive@acleisure.com before attending.
Three weekly sessions:
Mondays 7pm-8pm and Wednesdays 5.30pm-6.30pm at the Victory Sports Ground (IP33 3BT) and Thursdays 7pm-8pm at Skyliner Sports Centre (Moreton Hall Estate, IP32 7QB).
Contact Darren Brown 07772 781404 or Darren.Brown@SportingTrust.org or see our 'Community Football' page on our website
Mondays 7pm-8pm
Summer: Running from Blackhouse Lane, Great Cornard CO10 0NL; Winter: running from Great Cornard Sports Centre CO10 0JU
Contact: Martyn 07572 020712Thursdays 6.30pm-7.30pm.
Contact Sam Barton 01394 270278.
Felixstowe Beach Walkers
Tuesdays 1.30pm – 3.00pm
Summer venue (July 1st - September 30th) Stennetts Playing Field, Trimley St Mary, Felixstowe IP11 0TW.
Contact Richard Lord valandrichard@btinternet.com
Mondays 6pm-7pm
Contact Kelly Blackburn at Hadleigh High Leisure Centre on 07979 951748 or email hadleighhigh@ssleisure.co.uk
Fridays 6pm-7pm.
Contact Peter Betts 01440 701237 or peterbetts@thenewcroft.co.uk
Sundays 9.30am-10.30am
Holbrook Academy, Ipswich Road, Holbrook, Ipswich IP9 2QK
Open to players aged 18+ of mixed gender; all abilities welcome. First two sessions free, then £2 per session (£10 initial joining fee)
Contact Simon Page 07912 609549 or rosetintedblue@hotmail.co.uk
Activ Walking Football (Outdoor All-weather surface)
Thursday 10.30am-12.00 noon
Gainsborough Sports Centre, Ipswich, IP3 0SP
Returns September 2nd, 2021
£5 per session
This session is a social as well as physical activity, run by local charity ActivLives.
Walking Football is an adapted version of the game which provides a great way for older independent adults to keep playing a team sport. This session is played outdoors on the all-weather surface. We play rules similar to small-sided football, but without the running. Players are not permitted to run at any time, with or without the ball. We play the game without any ‘intentional’ physical contact, so there is limited potential to ‘tackle’. Despite all of this, the games are certainly not slow! It provides a challenging and fun work out for most of us (Players are covering between 2-2.5 miles in a session!).
Suitable for both female and male participants.
This session is targeted particularly at participants who are 55 years and over, and who do not feel able (for whatever reason), to play regular small-sided football. This age restriction does not apply to female players. The session consists of a group warm up, refereed game and a stretch cool down. It is led by one of our experienced Activity Leaders.
We have access to the new changing and showering facilities, which are adjacent to the all-weather pitches.
£5.00 per session
Local bus route and off-road parking available.
We always welcome new participants – If you would like more information about this, or any of our other ActivSport groups, please call us on 01473 345350 or email mike@activlives.org.uk
Fridays 2pm-4pm.
Age Range – Over 55
Cost - £6 per session includes tea/coffee & biscuits afterwards. An annual £5 membership cost is payable at the end of September.
Contact Alan Franklin on 01473 744730 or Glen Parker on 01473 744497.
Mondays 8pm-9pm
Contact David McGregor 07770 874563 or themaccas2@ntlworld.com
Monday evening (Men's) - 7.00pm - 8.00pm
Wednesday morning (Ladies) 10am – 11am
Thursday evenings (mixed) 7.30pm - 8.30pm
Sunday mornings (Men's) 10am-11am
Venue: Kesgrave Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, IP5 1JF
Contact: Noel Wilson, 07846 241518
Thursdays - 8.30-9.30pm
Venue: Ipswich School Sports Centre, The Street, Rushmere St Andrew, Ipswich IP5 1DE
Cost: £3
Age: 45+
Contact: Dave Collins 07498 350707 or email dave.afckesgrave@gmail.com
Thursdays 7pm-8pm
Contact kessinglandfc@hotmail.com
Kirkley & Pakefield Walking Football
Monday - 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Open Aged
Paul Beharier 07737398462 or via Briscotech@btinternet.com
Wednesdays 3pm-4pm.
Contact Barrie Atkins 01502 513549 or email the club via their website www.kproyalsfc.co.uk
Second Sunday of the month from 10am. Next dates are January 14th, February 11th, March 10th 2024, etc
Contact: Alan Gadney 07789 766101 or email gadders1@btinternet.com
Venue: Ormiston Denes Academy, Yarmouth Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 4AH
£5 per session
Facebook page: Pacemakers Walking Football Club
Wednesdays 8pm-9pm
Contact Laura Worsley 07801 532059
Mondays 8pm-9pm, Tuesdays 2pm-3pm and Thursdays 2pm-3pm.
Contact Mike Powles 07379 089890
