A new women's walking football club, operating under the Bristol City banner, will begin accepting members this May - targeting women aged 40 and over who bring experience and want a competitive, high-standard environment in which to develop further. Trials are scheduled at Backwell School on the 21st and 28th of May, from 6:45 to 8pm. The initiative is part of the club's broader 'We Are City' project, a Robins Foundation effort designed to widen meaningful participation in football across diverse communities.
What Walking Football Actually Offers - and Why It Matters for Women Over 40
Walking football is not a reduced version of the game. It operates under a distinct set of rules that eliminate running, reducing the physical impact on joints and cardiovascular strain while preserving the tactical, technical, and social dimensions that make the sport compelling. For women over 40, this distinction is significant. The physiological changes associated with perimenopause and menopause - including reduced bone density, changes in muscle recovery, and joint sensitivity - can make high-intensity physical activity harder to sustain safely. Walking football removes those barriers without removing the challenge.
Structured physical activity during and after midlife carries well-documented benefits: improved cardiovascular health, maintenance of muscle mass, better mood regulation, and a reduction in social isolation. Organised group participation adds a layer of accountability and community that informal exercise rarely provides. A club environment - with regular sessions, defined goals, and the identity of representing a known institution - amplifies those benefits considerably.
A Club Built Around Competitive Ambition, Not Just Participation
What distinguishes this new Bristol City Women's Walking Football Club from recreational alternatives is its stated focus on quality and competition. Kirsty, one of the founding participants, has been direct about the intent: "This brand new team is aimed at experienced women's walking football players who want more from the game - higher standards, stronger competition and the opportunity to be part of an ambitious squad. We hope to build a competitive environment where talented players can challenge themselves, develop together and proudly represent Bristol City."
That framing is deliberate. Many women's recreational programmes at this level are designed around access and inclusion - essential goals, but ones that can leave experienced participants feeling under-challenged. This club positions itself differently: it is recruiting women who already know the game and want to be pushed further. National competitive fixtures are part of the plan, placing Bristol City participants against some of the strongest women's walking football groups in the country.
The 'We Are City' Framework and What It Represents
The new club sits within the Robins Foundation's 'We Are City' project, which uses Bristol City Football Club as a focal point for community engagement across a broad range of individuals. The project reflects a wider shift in how professional football clubs are thinking about their social footprint - moving beyond youth development and male-centred programming to build genuine connections with communities who have historically had limited access to the club's identity and resources.
For women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond, formal affiliation with a professional club carries real meaning. It offers infrastructure, visibility, and belonging - three things that grassroots women's programmes have often struggled to secure. The Bristol City association also brings with it a level of organisational support and credibility that independent groups rarely access.
How to Get Involved
Trials are open to women aged 40 and over with prior walking football experience. Both sessions take place at Backwell School:
- Tuesday 21st May - 6:45pm to 8:00pm
- Tuesday 28th May - 6:45pm to 8:00pm
To register interest or confirm attendance, contact [email protected]. Given the competitive focus of the programme, prospective participants are encouraged to get in touch promptly. This is a rare opportunity for experienced women in the Bristol area to find a structured, ambitious environment that takes their participation seriously - and expects a great deal from it in return.
