National Walking Football Programme launched for people with Parkinson’s

The Football Association of Wales is proud to announce an exciting new initiative in collaboration with Sport Parkinson’s, Parkinson’s UK, EFL in the Community, and the FAW Area Associations. This pioneering programme aims to develop a national network of football clubs dedicated to supporting individuals with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions through the power of football.

With funding from the FAW and Sport Parkinson’s, the programme will establish nine dedicated walking football hubs across Wales. These hubs will provide a supportive and inclusive environment for adults with Parkinson’s, allowing them to stay active, socially connected, and engaged in the game they love.

Garen Williams, Director of Sport Parkinson’s, emphasised the impact of this initiative, stating: “Sport Parkinson’s is proud to collaborate with the Football Association of Wales to support the growth of walking football for people living with Parkinson’s across Wales. 

“Through this grant initiative, we aim to establish dedicated walking football hubs, providing opportunities for people with Parkinson’s to stay active, connected, and engaged in the game they love. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to promoting inclusive sport and improving the well-being of individuals through football.”

This programme is part of a wider effort, aligning with the EFL in the Community’s initiative in England to establish 14 similar clubs, bringing the total to 23 across England and Wales. The initiative is further strengthened by expert training, advice, and monitoring, ensuring both physical and mental well-being benefits for players.

A recent training day at Cardiff City’s House of Sport provided club leaders with crucial insights into supporting individuals with Parkinson’s. The session covered a range of topics, including:

• Understanding Parkinson’s: symptoms, prevalence, and impact of physical activity.
• Practical training and person-centred principles.
• First-hand experiences and overcoming barriers to participation.
• Creating a positive customer journey and logic model.
• Monitoring and evaluation of programme effectiveness.

The nine football hubs have been carefully selected using insights from Parkinson’s UK and the Wales National Exercise Referral Scheme to ensure accessibility and effectiveness. Each club will receive funding for six months of football sessions and work closely with local health services to create referral pathways.

Dai Carpenter, FAW Grassroots Disability & Inclusion Manager, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating: “We’re delighted to partner with Sport Parkinson’s, EFL in the Community, Parkinson’s UK, and our Area Associations to create a genuinely national programme. Football has significant physical and well-being benefits, especially for the Parkinson’s community, and this funding and training package will enable clubs to develop a strong network across Wales. We’re also excited to work with EFL in the Community to capture the impact of these new clubs, both on and off the pitch.”

Debbie Cook, Director of Community at the EFL said: “EFL in the Community, the FA of Wales and Parkinson’s UK all share the common goal of increasing access to walking football programmes for those living with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions. This funding will have a significant impact in communities by providing sessions for a group that could otherwise face barriers to accessing appropriate physical exercise. 

“Across England and Wales, EFL Football Club charities continue to offer a huge range of programmes that help create healthier, stronger and thriving communities.”

The initiative showcases the collaborative efforts of EFL Club Community Organisations, JD Cymru Premier, JD Cymru North, JD Cymru South, and grassroots clubs, demonstrating how football can be a unifying force for positive change. 

All clubs are set to begin their sessions in April 2025, welcoming both men and women to participate and experience the life-enhancing benefits of football.

This programme is a testament to FAW’s ongoing commitment to making football accessible to all, promoting inclusion, and supporting the well-being of individuals through sport.