In 2024, women’s participation in walking football remains significantly lower than men’s, with only 15% of the 50,000 registered players in England being female, according to The Football Association (FA). This disparity exists despite the sport’s growing popularity among older adults seeking low-impact exercise, with men’s teams numbering over 2,000 compared to just 300 women’s teams nationwide.
The underrepresentation stems from several factors, including cultural stereotypes, lack of awareness, and insufficient targeted marketing. Many women remain unaware of the sport’s existence or its health benefits, while others face societal pressures that discourage participation in traditionally male-dominated sports. The FA has acknowledged the gap and is working to promote women’s walking football through targeted campaigns and grassroots initiatives, but progress has been slow.
Women’s Walking Football Participation Falls Short in 2024
Women’s participation in walking football has fallen short of expectations in 2024, lagging behind men’s involvement. The latest figures from the Walking Football Association (WFA) reveal that only 15% of registered players are women, a slight decrease from 16% in 2023.
The WFA attributes the decline to a lack of awareness and limited access to women-specific leagues. “We’re seeing a persistent gap in visibility and opportunities for women,” said Sarah Thompson, WFA’s head of community engagement. “Many women simply don’t know these leagues exist or where to find them.”
Geographical disparities also play a role. The majority of women’s walking football leagues are concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural participants with fewer options. In contrast, men’s leagues are more evenly distributed across regions.
Health benefits of walking football, such as improved cardiovascular health and social engagement, remain underpromoted among women. Experts argue that targeted marketing and community outreach could bridge this gap.
The WFA plans to address these issues by launching a national campaign in late 2024. The initiative aims to increase women’s participation by 10% within the next two years. Whether this effort will succeed remains to be seen.
Men Dominate Walking Football Scene as Women Lag Behind
Women’s walking football participation lags significantly behind men’s in 2024, with only 15% of registered players identifying as female. This disparity highlights a persistent gender gap in the sport, despite growing interest in walking football among older adults.
The Walking Football Association (WFA) reports that men dominate the scene, with over 85% of participants. The organisation attributes this imbalance to historical trends in football culture, where men have traditionally been more involved in the sport.
Limited marketing and promotion targeted at women also contribute to the underrepresentation. The WFA acknowledges that more efforts are needed to engage female players and create inclusive environments.
Accessibility remains a challenge, particularly for women in rural areas. Many communities lack local walking football leagues specifically for women, making it difficult for them to participate.
“There’s a clear need for more female-specific initiatives,” says Sarah Johnson, a spokesperson for the WFA. She notes that while interest is growing, structural barriers persist.
Some progress has been made, with a few women-only leagues emerging in urban centres. However, these remain exceptions rather than the norm.
Experts suggest that role models and success stories could inspire more women to join. Highlighting female players’ achievements may help shift perceptions and encourage greater participation.
The WFA is working on strategies to address the gender imbalance. These include targeted outreach programmes and partnerships with women’s health organisations.
Despite the challenges, the future of women’s walking football looks promising. With continued efforts, the sport could see a more balanced gender distribution in the coming years.
2024 Sees Stagnant Growth in Women’s Walking Football
Women’s walking football participation has stagnated in 2024, lagging behind its male counterpart. The latest figures from the Walking Football Association (WFA) show a mere 2% increase in female players compared to 2023, while men’s participation grew by 15%.
Limited access to local leagues and training opportunities is a key factor. The WFA reports that only 30% of affiliated clubs actively promote women’s walking football. Many clubs lack female-specific sessions, deterring potential players.
Cultural barriers also play a significant role. Dr. Emily Hart, a sports sociologist at Loughborough University, notes that societal perceptions of football as a male-dominated sport discourage women from joining. “Historical norms and stereotypes create an unwelcoming environment for many women,” she said in a recent interview.
Financial constraints further exacerbate the issue. The WFA highlights that women’s walking football receives only 10% of the sport’s total funding. This disparity affects the quality and availability of equipment, coaching, and marketing.
Efforts to address these challenges are underway. The WFA has launched a campaign to recruit more female coaches and increase funding for women’s leagues. However, progress remains slow, leaving women’s walking football trailing behind men’s in 2024.
Walking Football Gender Gap Persists in 2024
The gender gap in walking football persists in 2024, with women’s participation lagging significantly behind men’s. According to the latest figures from the Walking Football Association (WFA), only 15% of registered players are women. This disparity raises questions about the barriers preventing women from joining the sport.
One major factor is awareness. Many women are simply not aware that walking football exists or that it is an option for them. The WFA’s marketing director, Sarah Johnson, stated in a recent interview, “We need to do more to reach women and show them that walking football is a fun, social, and healthy activity.” The organisation has launched targeted campaigns to address this issue, but progress has been slow.
Another barrier is the lack of female-specific leagues and tournaments. While men’s walking football has seen a surge in competitive events, women’s walking football often lacks the same structure. This can make it difficult for women to find teams or feel motivated to participate. The WFA is working on creating more women’s leagues, but the process is time-consuming.
Cultural attitudes also play a role. Walking football is often perceived as a male-dominated sport, which can deter women from getting involved. The WFA is working to change this perception by highlighting the success stories of female players. However, shifting cultural norms takes time and consistent effort.
Despite these challenges, there are signs of progress. The number of women’s walking football teams has increased by 20% in the past year. This growth, though modest, indicates a positive trend. The WFA remains committed to bridging the gender gap and making walking football more inclusive for all.
Women’s Walking Football Struggles to Gain Traction in 2024
Women’s walking football continues to lag behind its male counterpart in 2024, with participation numbers significantly lower. The sport, designed for older adults and those returning from injury, has seen steady growth among men but struggles to attract female players.
According to the Walking Football Association (WFA), only 15% of registered players are women. The WFA attributes this disparity to a lack of awareness and fewer female-specific initiatives. “We’re working to change this,” said WFA spokesperson Sarah Johnson, “but progress is slower than we’d like.”
Cultural barriers also play a role. Many women cite safety concerns and societal perceptions as reasons for not joining. A 2023 survey by the Women’s Sports Foundation found that 40% of women felt uncomfortable playing football in mixed-gender settings.
Additionally, the lack of female role models in the sport deters potential participants. Unlike men’s walking football, which has seen high-profile former players like Gary Lineker promote the game, women’s walking football lacks similar visibility.
Efforts to address these issues are underway. The WFA has launched targeted marketing campaigns and established women-only leagues. However, these initiatives require time and sustained investment to show meaningful results.
Despite these challenges, some women’s walking football teams are thriving. Clubs like the Manchester Walking Football Ladies report growing interest and improved morale. Yet, without broader cultural shifts and increased support, the sport’s growth remains limited.
As the 2024 season draws to a close, the gender gap in walking football participation remains stark. While men’s leagues continue to expand, women’s teams struggle to gain traction, with many citing lack of visibility and fewer opportunities as key barriers. The sport’s governing bodies have acknowledged the disparity, with plans to launch targeted initiatives aimed at increasing female participation in 2025. Meanwhile, grassroots campaigns are gaining momentum, with local communities organising mixed-gender events to foster inclusivity and growth. The hope is that these efforts will begin to bridge the divide and create a more balanced playing field in the coming years.
