Walking Football may be slow paced but it is the fastest growing sport in the country and is now seeing a boom in female players.

Gloucester's Stuart Langworthy is manager of the England Over 60s team and said the women's game has exploded since the Lionesses triumphed at the Euros 2022.

There is already a local cohort- the Abbeymead Women's  team launched in Spring 2021 and plays at Abbeydale Sports and Community Centre on Mondays.

Now Stuart is on the hunt for Gloucestershire businesses to sponsor a new raft of women's teams in the South West.

The founding member and former chairman of Abbeymead Rovers Football Club, said: "Walking Football is one of the fastest growing sports in the country - maybe the world - with over 140,000 playing now in England and it is played in over 60 countries.

"The female game is exploding. Before Covid it was growing rapidly but since then it has been massive and the success of the Lionesses has had a major impact.

"It's difficult to put a number on it but the WFA (Walking Football Association) would estimate that rarely a week goes by without one or two new sessions starting up."

Walking football is traditionally aimed at Over 50s and gets its name because any player that runs concedes a free kick to the other side.

There is also a ban on slide tackles and the ball must never be kicked above head height.

Impairment Walking Football is also seeing a huge growth with almost 20 sessions in England and an England Parkinson's Team.

Former teacher Stuart, who had actor Simon Pegg in his class, started playing nine years ago following a hip replacement and is now manager of England Over 60s, assistant manager of Women's Over 40s and director with responsibility for grassroots - all of which are voluntary roles.

Punchline sponsors two of the mens kits for the SW regional teams  and other local businesses are now being called to step up and support the three new women's teams for Over 40, Over 50 and Over 60.

Sponsorship is needed for the playing kit (£500/team), facility hire (£630), equipment (£700) and training kit (£720/team).

Stuart said: "Walking Football is such an inclusive game - it is great for people in terms of physical and mental health and well-being. It is encouraging people to get up, get out and get active - and to have fun whilst doing so.

"It really is changing people's lives.

"For women, in particular, most were not able to play the sport at school, so they are coming to football late.

"For some to be able to represent their region or even their country is a massive honour."

Trials for the South West Women's Walking Football teams are taking place on February 12, 1-4pm at Weston Super Mare FC.

For more details about the trials or sponsorship opportunities contact stuartlangworthy@thewfa.co.uk or SW Women's co-ordinator Tim Richens on timrichens@thewfa.co.uk