Football is the most popular team sport for adults aged 55+, bringing both health and social benefits. This specially adapted form of the game has a unique ability to engage older adults and those who are less able to take part in full-paced football – enabling the continuation of football’s benefits into later life. It is vital to ensure that there are playing opportunities for everyone who wants to be involved in football, with age not being a barrier.

 

Walking football is a huge area of growth for the Kent FA. We recently ran two Walking Football Cups (one for 50+ and one for 60+), which saw 23 teams compete across the two competitions. These competitions showcased the appetite for the competitive side of this sport. The development of this new structured league led by a committee of representatives seemed like the obvious next step for the growing sport in the County.

The league will consist of ten teams competing in the 50+ division and a further thirteen teams in the 60+ division. Both of these divisions will be split into East Kent and West Kent Conferences. The teams in the same conference will play each other three times each followed by a playoff with the league standings reflecting the fixtures. The team that comes out on top after the playoffs will be awarded the inaugural Kent FA Walking Football League trophy.

 

Darry Haden, CEO, comments, “We are thrilled to be part of the first-ever Kent FA Walking Football League. This is a great milestone for the sport locally and for the Kent FA to be offering this provision. If you are interested in playing walking football either competitively or recreationally, there are sessions all over the county. To find out more about these opportunities, check out our website, or contact our Football Services Assistant, Harry Burgess on Harry.Burgess@kentfa.com.”