𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀: Walk, Play, Thrive!

Aim

Supporting our members with equipment and projects to enhance fitness, team play, wellbeing and general health.

Luton Town WFC Ladies was formed in 2023 and is a club dedicated to providing women, aged 40 and above, with the opportunity to enjoy a slower brand of football in a fun, inclusive, and supportive environment. Established to promote fitness, confidence, and social connections, the team welcomes players of all abilities, from complete beginners (including those who have never played) to experienced players, many of whom have now hung up their boots! 

Walking football offers numerous benefits, including improved physical health, mental well-being, cognitive stimulation and a strong sense of camaraderie, whether for fitness, friendship, or the love of the game.

Why are we crowdfunding?

We are crowdfunding to support the growth and sustainability of our club, ensuring many older women can enjoy the benefits that walking football, team sports and exercise in general provides.

Although we bear the ‘town’s kit and name', LTFC do not support us in any way. Currently all our costs: kit, equipment, venue hire, travel, insurance fees etc are paid for by our members and, like most community-based sports clubs, all our coaches are all volunteers. Additionally, from 2025 the club is running well-being sessions to promote physical and mental and general women's health, fostering confidence, worth, self-esteem and a sense of community.

By investing in advertising/promotions, we also want to reach more women, encouraging them to stay active, improve fitness, stay healthy and enjoy the social and emotional benefits that walking football provides through our club.

Crowdfunding will help us support the growth and sustainability of our club and every donation helps create a welcoming and supportive space for older women to play, exercise and enjoy the well-being benefits LTWFC LADIES provides through its walking football sessions.

How we’ll spend the money raised

The money raised will be carefully allocated to ensure the growth, sustainability, and success of Luton Town WFC Ladies. Here’s how we plan to spend the funds:

• Equipment Purchases: these will include footballs, bibs, cones and performance trackers to gauge fitness and performance.
• Travel: Not all our ladies drive, some car share with their families, minibus hire will help us arrive together as a team and save costs.
• Well-being Sessions: Organising sessions focused on mental health, and overall well-being, helping members build confidence and enhance lifestyles on and off the pitch.
• Free Community Sessions: We need to venue costs so we can provide demonstration sessions at venues throughout the county - something we successfully did last year!
• Advertising & Outreach: Promoting walking football to reach more women, encouraging fitness, social engagement, and the benefits of an active lifestyle.
  
   Every contribution will directly support our players, helping us create an inclusive, welcoming environment for women to enjoy football, stay fit, and be part of a strong community.

Community impact

The benefits of exercise on our physical and mental well-being require no justification. Walking football isn’t just exercise though. It’s a path to a wealth of sporting opportunities usually ignored by ageing and retired sportswomen who may never have had the opportunity to play a sport denied to them in their youth or which they considered they were never good enough to play.

Walking football at its purest and simplest form is a great leveller. Its inclusive, allowing players of various skill levels to play together and have fun, plus there are many competitive opportunities for those that want to relive their past footballing glories or to create new ones.

By providing a welcoming space for women aged 40 and above, we help individuals stay active, improve fitness, and boost their mental well-being. Walking football fosters friendships, reduces isolation, and builds confidence, particularly for those returning to sport or trying it for the first time.

 Beyond personal benefits, our team strengthens the local community by encouraging teamwork, supporting well-being initiatives, and inspiring more women to embrace an active lifestyle. Through outreach and engagement, we aim to grow awareness of the physical and mental-health advantages of walking football, ensuring more women can experience the joy of the game in a safe, supportive environment.

‘Story of change ‘

Having been playing walking football for over 18 months, I had mentioned to my friend how much fun it was, along with keeping fit and improving my mental health. My friend became interested immediately and asked if she could come along. FM was socially isolated and felt lonely. I fully encouraged her to come to the LTWFC Ladies and meet the ladies and join in the fun.

FM turned up at one of our sessions and became an instant hit with the ladies, she joined in the warm-up which she really enjoyed, taking in the gentle stretching exercises and light touch football.

FM admits she is never going to be a footballer and has never played the game; she does not understand the rules, but she was learning new skills each week, she is enthusiastic and has become a keen player. FM stated that playing football is so much better than going to a day centre, or joining a knitting club, she plays at her own pace and loves every minute of it. 

FM attended a 50th party thrown by one of the ladies on the team and danced all night, she attended the social event barbecue and danced to the music on the lawn. 

FM states, ‘This has been the best thing that has happened to me for a long time, I love learning the rules of the football, and meeting new friends, I am having an absolute blast, it has given me a new lease of life’.

Getting FM to join the LTWFC has made a significant impact upon her life, her family are in awe of her and her friend’s envy that she has the energy to come along and play  

FM is 74 years old!!!!

How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target and make this project a reality.

1. You could just make a pledge/donation and that will be used to help fund any of our budget aspirations.

2. Make a pledge and we can offer you a free demo session for you and your group at a time and place to suit you - provided it's reasonably local to us.

3. If you are a business, maybe we could consider some form of sponsorship that will be mutually beneficial.

This is a unique opportunity as very little funding/grant or sponsorship opportunities exist for older generation team sports. Gym led exercise classes have their place, but nothing can compare to the sheer rush exhilaration of kicking a ball around a pitch with women of a similar age thinking: "I never knew this could be so much fun."

This project closed unsuccessfully on 23rd April 2025