A New Era for Walking Football Australia: Introducing the Revised WFFA Mission
What began as a passion shared by three forward-thinking walking footballers in Australia, has now grown into a national movement that is bringing people together from all walks of life, literally.
Walking Football, a modified version of the game we all know and love, offers a low-impact, high-fun alternative for older Australians. It’s not just about sport; it’s about staying active, building friendships, and strengthening mental well-being. But the path to national recognition and support hasn’t been an easy one.
From a Shared Idea to a National Federation
In the early days, these three enthusiasts were working independently in their own states, Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia, playing, running local sessions, building player bases, and advocating for the sport. They quickly realised that while pockets of walking football were thriving, there was no united voice or vision to guide its future, no one, Walking Football Australia.
Determined to change that, they joined forces. Through tireless volunteer work, countless conversations, and a shared commitment to community and health, they helped form the Walking Football Federation Australia (WFFA), a not-for-profit organisation built by the community, for the community.
Bringing the Vision to Life
In 2022, representatives from every state came together and unanimously agreed: Walking Football in Australia needed its own governing body. From that point on, the WFFA became more than an idea. It became a movement.
This federation was created to unify, coordinate, promote, and grow Walking Football in a sustainable, inclusive, and impactful way. And today, we’re proud to unveil our revised mission statement, a clear and inspiring articulation of who we are and why we exist.
Our Mission
The Walking Football Federation Australia (WFFA) exists to unify, promote, and develop Walking Football as a safe, inclusive, and sustainable sport for older Australians.
As the national governing body of Walking Football Australia, we are committed to fostering physical activity, social connection, and mental wellbeing through a low-impact, enjoyable version of football.
We work in collaboration with clubs, communities, and sporting organisations across the country to ensure consistent governance, high-quality programs, and opportunities for participation at all levels.
Through leadership, advocacy, and innovation, we strive to grow the sport, uphold its values of fair play and respect, and create a welcoming environment for all.
Our Purpose in Action
The WFFA isn’t just about statements and strategies, we’re about action. We are:
Building a governance structure that includes voices from every state and territory.
Partnering with local clubs, councils, government, and international Walking Football bodies.
Promoting fair play, wellbeing, and inclusivity in every session and tournament.
Providing training for coaches, referees, and volunteers to elevate the game experience.
Advocating for Walking Football Australia as a tool for healthier ageing and stronger communities.
Creating the Next Level of Competition
As Walking Football continues to grow across Australia, the WFFA is also creating stronger opportunities for players who want to take their game to the next level.
A major step in that development is the introduction of the WFFA Cup, National State & Territory Walking Football Australia Championships, bringing representative teams together from across the country to compete in age and gender categories aligned with the international game.
The WFFA Cup will provide a genuine state and territory representative pathway, giving players the opportunity to train, compete and represent their region at a national level. Importantly, it will also form part of the broader pathway towards Foreveroos national representation, with players able to showcase their skills, teamwork and understanding of the game in a high-quality competitive environment.
By creating this additional level between local participation and international representation, the WFFA is helping build a clearer and more sustainable player pathway while strengthening connections between Walking Football communities across Australia.
Join the Movement
If you’re passionate about community sport, if you believe in ageing actively, or if you simply want to be part of something meaningful, Walking Football Australia is calling.
Together, we are creating a future where every older Australian has the opportunity to stay active, make friends, and fall in love with the game, at walking pace.
Whether you’re a player, organiser, supporter or future coach, there’s a place for you in the WFFA.
Let’s walk it forward.
