Join coaches Sam and Ellie from Chelsea Football Club Foundation for skills practice and matchplay; suitable for beginners and seasoned pros!
Since our first session in October 2025, our walking football sessions have gone from strength to strength. Each session starts with a gentle warm-up, followed by some drills with the footballs. This includes practicing passing accuracy between cones, dribbling and shooting. This gets players to improve their skills, regardless of their level of play, and the improvements week-on-week have been noticeable.
The second half of the session is matchplay, where the skills work is put into practice. The difference between walking football and regular football is, as the name suggests, that you must walk. Running is strictly forbidden! One foot must be on the floor at any one time. Other rules are occasionally introduced, such as players having limited touches or a "magic man" who joins whichever team passed them the ball. After the game, players of the week are announced and players head to the cafe for a coffee and a chat.
Whether you are new to football (like Illa) or making a return (like John), you will be at home in these sessions. We hear from them about how they have found the sessions.
When: Mondays, 10:30 - 11.30am
Where: Court 2, Westway Sports Centre, 1 Crowthorne Road, W10 6RP
Nearest Tube station: Latimer Road
Cost: Free!
Registration: no need to pre-register; just show up! Sign up here
Best for: trying something new, football fanatics and team-building
John says:
"Before starting walking football, I was doing Pilates exercises, as recommended by Parkinson's UK. I had played football many moons ago, but nothing serious or a good standard.
Coaches Ellie and Sam are excellent; very encouraging. All the other players give it 100%, week-in week-out. We all get on very well.
I find it of great benefit, both physically and mentally. I have mobility issues but the sessions help me to forget my symptoms, albeit temporarily."
Illa says:
"For me, as a complete beginner, walking football has helped me build resilience and 'kick out' negativity. I started playing last year and I love it! We have a great team and I have the chance to play on Arsenal and Stamford Bridge pitches.
Everyone should have a go- kicking that ball is thrilling!"
.jpg)
.jpg)
Arsenal vs Chelsea - Parkinson's Walking Football
In April 2026, a Chelsea FC Foundation side took on Arsenal Parkinson's walking football and managed a respectable draw across 4 short games. This was followed by a tour of the Emirates stadium. Rhys and the team at Arsenal were fantastic hosts. We look forward to many more matches in the years to come!
Bill says:
"The class is very inclusive, open to all abilities and ages. We all know exercise is effective at slowing the progression of Parkinson's; the trick is to find an activity which you enjoy. The CFC Foundation Walking Football is fun; it doesn't feel like exercise. For an hour walking up and down the pitch, it is surprising how far you travel. I recorded a session on Strava and clocked almost 10km! Scoring a goal in a friendly match at Stamford Bridge for a Foundation special evening is a story I'll be repeating with pride at every opportunity!"
