'He's Running, Ref!' An Ethnographic Study of Walking Football

This paper explores the experience of playing walking football (w/f) in the south of England. Ethnographic research was carried out at a local authority leisure centre and non-league football club. Data were accumulated through an ethnographic approach which consisted of participant observation, informal conversations with walking footballers and facilitators and documentary collection. The research period ran throughout 2015–2016 for a period of 18 months. The data, which were analyzed reflectively using insights from feminist scholarship, suggest that players experienced a number of benefits from participation. Whilst some previous studies have sought primarily to measure physiological benefits, this study is suggestive of less tangible health gains. In particular, players reported an increased appetite for life and positivity engendered by playing w/f, together with enhanced levels of social engagement. They reported feelings of social connectedness, enjoyment and inclusion as members of a supportive community. However, there is some evidence of conflict over the philosophy and purpose of w/f/, especially in relation to the spirit of the game and the competitive tournament environment. Further work around these areas is recommended.