Walking football: an inclusive way to stay active

Breast Cancer UK are all about inclusive ways to stay active, which is why we’re proud to partner with the Walking Football Leagues Alliance for accessibility in sport.

Discover how Derek Murr’s passion for making sports accessible became the foundation for decades-long involvement in walking football, and how his thoughtful approach aligns the mixed-gender sport with health awareness.

Health and fitness focus

The original idea of walking football was as a solution to a gap in recreational sports for middle-aged adults. As Derek explains, most people typically stop playing regular football around the ages of 40–50, and this sudden lack of physical exercise can lead to both physical and mental health challenges.

“People’s fitness can often decline, along with psychological issues because they’re no longer playing in a team, and missing that great camaraderie with other people,” he says. “So, the initial idea behind walking football was simply to promote fitness, wellbeing and social connections.”

Derek has always actively promoted the health aspects, even on the national stage, hence his involvement with the Walking Football Leagues’ Alliance and their Walking Football Cup competitions. Still, he notes that as people became more involved in the activity, it naturally became more competitive.

“People wanted to play against other teams, so the sport has definitely evolved,” says Derek. “But you have to remember that it’s a walking activity, and people are not allowed to run. Basically, you can ‘walk’ as fast as you can, but one foot must always be on the ground. Some people of a certain age seem to forget that we aren’t running – when playing in a Walking Football Leagues’ Alliance competition, teams will find we’ve got some of the best walking football referees in the UK.”

However, despite that evolution, walking football remains a flexible activity. There is the competitive route with organised leagues and tournaments, along with the option to simply meet a couple of times a week to socialise with others and stay fit.

Personal longevity

Derek’s own life journey, spanning 76 years, exemplifies the sport’s potential for lifelong participation. He now represents the upper end of the age spectrum that walking football can accommodate.

“Walking football is a wonderful sport because it can fit into anyone’s age; we can have 16-year-olds playing alongside people in their 60s,” he explains. “It’s also a non-contact sport, and open to both men and women. While more demanding sports mean people must give it up after a certain age, this one lets people just keep on going, so it provides continuity for people who want to keep active. The idea being everybody is walking at the same pace!”

Derek’s experience reflects those possibilities. When visiting his doctor, he takes pride in saying he is still playing sports, with walking football allowing him to maintain this active lifestyle. However, he is also realistic about the future, acknowledging that at some point, physical limitations may require him to stop.

“I’ve seen how ageing affects people, even in the walking football community,” he says. “Many of the original players who started the sport with me can’t take part any longer because of various health issues – aches and pains, prostate cancer, knee problems and so on. I went to one of the original venues a little while ago and could recognise only one or two of the founding members still playing.”

Charity partnership

Derek’s thoughtful approach to sports accessibility extends to the association’s partnership with various charities, including Breast Cancer UK. This Summer marked the first Breast Cancer UK WFLA Inter League Cup, which took place at Coleshill Town FC on Sunday 15th June 2025.

“It was in October 2024 that I decided, as part of a team organising national walking football competitions, to approach both breast cancer and prostate cancer organisations for sponsorship for our 2025 competitions,” he says.

Rather than going after the traditional commercial sponsors, Derek felt the organisation should partner with charities with direct relevance to the people involved in the sport.

“I had personal knowledge of people who had suffered from or were still battling either breast cancer or prostate cancer,” he adds. “I wanted the sponsorship partnership to go beyond simple logo placement, with a more active commitment to supporting cancer organisations.”

Why Breast Cancer UK?

Lydia Ferguson Ray, Senior Philanthropy Officer at Breast Cancer UK, says: “Breast Cancer UK is incredibly proud to sponsor the annual Walking Football Leagues Alliance competition as a way to help raise important awareness about breast cancer prevention through regular physical activity. Walking football has become so popular among our supporters for the accessible and inclusive nature of the game. We see it as a powerful reminder that even small steps can make a big difference to our health and happiness.”

Breast Cancer UK estimates that at least 30% of breast cancer cases in the UK can be prevented by making lifestyle changes, and being active alone can reduce your risk of breast cancer by around 20%. The sponsorships focuses on cancer prevention awareness for both men and women, recognising that as a mixed-gender sport, walking football can reach diverse audiences with important health messages. Derek is passionate about sports organisations’ responsibility for promoting wellbeing beyond physical fitness.

“I think we’re taking steps in the right direction,” he says. “People really appreciate the initiative and say this approach is exactly what sports should be doing. After all, you have to keep yourself fit because you never know what’s around the corner.”