We’re in the midst of another great summer of sport – with women’s football front and centre. And with England's Lionesses roaring to victory over Spain at the recent UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, proudly sponsored by AXA the insurance provider, more football fans and newcomers than ever are being inspired to take up football.
Natasha Dowie, Football media pundit & Liverpool FC Women’s Ambassador
As former Lioness Tash Dowie attested at AXA’s recent ‘Play on the Pitch’ event at Liverpool FC, it’s more important than ever for women to keep kicking the doors down. Dowie played for the England Women’s team at youth and senior level as well as for Watford, Fulham, Charlton Athletic, Everton, Liverpool and the Doncaster Rover Belles. Despite being the top WSL goal scorer in 2013 Dowie was overlooked for the England Women’s EURO Squad which was a huge knockback. Undeterred, Dowie was determined to keep on kicking and went on to play football in Australia, Italy, Norway Sweden and the US before returning to the UK. Since retiring from professional football in 2023, Dowie continues to be a force for good in the world of women’s sport and drive growth of Women’s football in her role as Women’s ambassador for Liverpool FC ‘I teach girls about resilience,’ she explains. ‘I tell them if you want to make it to the top: work hard, have fun, and believe in yourself. These are three important principles for those playing at any age or level of football.
And there’s a phenomenon sweeping the country, thanks to the Walking Football Association (WFA) with men’s and women’s Walking Football teams launching up and down the country – offering women over the age of 40 and men over the age of 50 a chance to play a non-contact, slower pace version of football – and there has never been a more exciting time to get involved.
Walking Football offers a multitude of health benefits such as reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, improving blood pressure, postural balance, resting heartrate, lowered cholesterol, blood sugar levels and bone density. More importantly, though, it’s fun, and it fosters local, inclusive and uplifting communities around the UK.
The Kicking Cancer team
There is even a unique and special Walking Football team called Kicking Cancer for those living with, recovered or recovering from the disease.
Emma Kimber (Right) and Sharon Newton (Left), Kicking Cancer Team & Melksham Ladies Walking Football Club
Emma Kimber, who plays for the Kicking Cancer team and Melksham Walking Football Club, started playing 11-a-side football to regain fitness after her treatment for ovarian cancer. After 10 years, as she approached 50, Kimber was looking for a way to continue to play football without the more physical element and that’s when she found Walking Football, enabling her to continue to play the sport she loved and discover a whole new footballing community ‘It’s given me incredible opportunities and a massive amount of confidence – both in my football abilities and beyond that. I just feel generally loved and that’s a really special thing.’
Kirsten Pybus, Dawlish Walking Football Club
Kirsten Pybus, a midfielder for Dawlish Walking Football Club, who is also a cancer survivor, couldn’t agree more. The sport has connected her to her community in ways she couldn’t have imagined. ‘We recently had our Dawlish Walking Football AGM and after the formalities we decided to have a meal and went to our local pub for karaoke,’ she said. ‘Sweet Caroline is always the first song on the list.’ ‘It’s enhanced my life immensely,’ Pybus adds. ‘I’ve got new friends and that’s had a knock-on effect of improving the lives of my family. I’m a much more positive person because of Walking Football.
QUOTE: ‘It doesn’t matter what level of fitness you have, you’ll always be embraced by the Walking Football community. We have people on our team from age 35 to their seventies and eighties. It’s a sport for everyone.’ (Emma Kimber).
Watch the full story of the Kicking Cancer Walking Football team here:
Julia Tibbs, Director and Head of Women’s Development for the Walking Football Association (WFA) & Taunton Women’s Football Club
Walking Football has always been inclusive, but it can be competitive too, especially with the World Nations Cup of Walking Football kicking off in October. And this is the first time ever that women can compete. A group of women from various Walking Football teams around the country have been selected to play under the England banner for the Walking Football Association (WFA) in the 40’s, 50’s & 60’s age groups including the Kicking Cancer Team. Julia Tibbs, the Director and Head of Women’s Development for the WFA, who plays for Taunton Women’s Walking Football Club, feels confident about England’s chances. ‘We’ve got fantastic teams,’ she says. ‘For the Kicking Cancer Team, to qualify you have to come to a trial and we run a series of fitness tests and mini games.’ And Tibbs is determined to spread the word. ‘Anybody new that I meet gets given a fundraising card. I’m very inspired to make this work,’ she beams. ‘The women’s game is so important. It’s growing at a massive rate. My inbox is full of enquiries saying, “Where can I sign up?” It means so much.’ If you want to form new friendships, improve your fitness and build your confidence then head to thewfa.co.uk to find a local team near you and find out about walking football..
The UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, the 14th edition of the tournament, took place in Switzerland from the 2nd July – 27th July 2025.