Walk on the mild side?

WSC: Are there any aspects of coaching walking football you would take into a typical coaching environment?

SL: "Having fun is one of the most important aspects at any level.

"We are talking about mostly mature people who never thought they would still be playing sport at their age, so fun and banter on and off the pitch is extremely important.

"At all levels, making sure everyone is warmed up is essential. Passing, first touch, movement and communication are coaching aspects that can always be worked on."

WSC: How do you feel the opportunity to play walking football has impacted the players you work with?

SL: "Walking football is literally giving people a new lease of life - the opportunity to play a game they used to play but with different rules in a safer environment.

"It allows them to link up again with players they used to play with, as well as make new friends.

"Most thought they would never get the chance to play the game at their age so they really make the most of it - and even fewer get the opportunity to represent their country, so they really are proud. They are role models and ambassadors for the sport."

WSC: As England over-40s coach, you must work with a high standard of player. Where do these players come from - are they former pros or top-level players? Do you think that, in future, there will be dedicated walking footballers, or maybe it will be a natural progression for soccer players when they reach a certain age?

SL: "With the women’s over-40s side, most have played 11-a side football and some still do.

"Some who play walking football have played for big clubs. With the men's under- 60s, I have [European Cup winner] Alan Kennedy of Liverpool and Graham Collier, ex-Nottingham Forest.

"There does seem to be some reluctance from ex-pros to take up walking football – maybe they are burnt out or don’t see it as football. That is not necessarily a bad thing, as it gives more opportunities to others who maybe did not make the grade in their younger days.

"I think as the sport gathers pace there may be more interest from ex-pros. People are certainly taking the sport more seriously than it used to be."

WSC: How have your experiences coaching the men’s and women’s walking football teams differed?

SL: "Coaching the women has proved very different but no less enjoyable than coaching the men.

"The women seem more keen to learn and open to being coached. Some of the men have played football all their lives and picked up bad habits that are difficult to change.

"The women’s game is less physical but running is an issue, particularly for younger players just out of the 11-a-side game.

"I love working with both national teams. It is such an honour. The biggest gains, though, can be seen with women at club level.

"Many played hockey when they were younger, because football was not so accessible. For them, they are learning a new sport, new skills and really are playing for fun, friendship and fitness."

WSC: What is the state of walking football in England?

SL: "The game is in a good place and growing fast. More people are realising the health and wellbeing benefits of our sport. "We are currently developing the WFAi - with the i standing for impairment. I have seen first-hand how powerful football can be to people living with long-term health conditions, such as Parkinsons.

"I was fortunate and honoured to be asked to run the We Are Undefeatable Virtual Walking Football team, which was a challenge but one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.

"We hope the sport will soon be recognised by Sport England as 'unique' - and then it will grow further. Maybe one day it will be in the Olympics.

"There is a World Nations Cup in May 2022, which has twice been postponed because of Covid-19."

"They're learning a new sport, new skills and really are playing for fun and fitness..."

WSC: What are the upcoming challenges for the national women's team and the sport itself?

SL: "One of the biggest challenges facing our sport is the standardisation of rules, as some countries have developed their own.

"The biggest issue facing the national team is the lack of credible opposition. We, in England, are leading the way - we now have eight national teams and are way ahead of most other countries.

"So far, we have been to Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Italy, Wales, Crete, Guernsey and Rwanda, and have worked with Spain, the Basque Country, Germany, Ireland, Tanzania, Kenya and others.

"We are developing regional teams so the better players can play with and against better players.

"The issue facing the women's game, in particular, is that there are still only a relatively small number of female-only sessions.

"Most women play in mixed sessions in their clubs, which they enjoy, but most really enjoy playing with and against other women.

"The number of women-only sessions is growing but it needs to continue to grow. A lot of women play for fitness reasons and some are quite young, which makes entering competitions an issue - there needs to be more of an 'open age' approach to women's walking football at club level."

WSC: What advice would you give to coaches either looking to get involved with an existing walking football team or set up their own?

SL: "Go for it. Expect it to be tough at first - some nights you will not get enough players so you might need to adapt, so play 4v4 with small goals and no goalkeeper.

"Use the free WFA guide, affiliate to the WFA and get the free extensive toolkit. Finally - go and have some fun. It is a great social game for fun, friendship and fitness."