A sport that is still not very well known in Italy, but that from today will certainly be more so: ‘Walking Football’ (or ‘Calcio camminato’) was in fact the focus of the event organised at the Coverciano Federal Technical Centre by AIAC (the Italian Football Coaches Association) and the Paralympic and Experimental Football Division of the FIGC, in collaboration with UEFA.

Walking Football is a special version of football, with rules designed to promote the health and safety of those who play it. It can be played by anyone and is perfect for the elderly or those with mobility difficulties who wish to engage in moderate intensity physical activity. UEFA has included Walking Football in its Sustainability Programme, considering it an integral part of its Health and Well-being policy.

In the morning, there was an extensive talk on the topic, introduced by AIAC communications manager Andrea Santoni, and opened by FIGC president Gabriele Gravina: ‘In the home of the national teams,’ he said, ‘we are promoting an important project within the large family of Italian football. UEFA has already shown its stand on Walking Football, and this is an extraordinary opportunity. Walking Football, at the moment, is mainly widespread in Northern Europe and the United Kingdom. As far as Italy is concerned, from 1 January 2025, the FIGC, with the fundamental support of the National Amateur League and the various regional committees, will begin to lay the foundations to provide Walking Football with a structure rooted in local territories, with the hope of arriving at a real championship managed by the LND.'

‘Football belongs to everyone,’ continued Gravina. 'It's in the name of the national competition organised by the Paralympic and Experimental Football Division of the FIGC, which I thank for its valuable work, on a par with AIAC and UEFA. The protection of health and well-being, which are at the basis of the Walking Football activity, are goals that we share, and today we can promote the great football values together.' Presidents Gravina (FIGC) and Ulivieri (AIAC) presented a Federcalcio pennant to the UEFA representatives present at Coverciano, Josephine Thury and Les Howie, and to John Croot, the creator of Walking Football.

Renzo Ulivieri, AIAC president, emphasised that ‘sport should be part of the lives of people of all ages’. ‘I have a particular dream,’ he added, ‘that every team registered in the Italian championships, professional and non-professional, will have its own Walking Football team in the future. It can be done at zero cost, relying on voluntary work. And then it is not necessarily the case that economic considerations have to dominate in the world of football.'

Josephine Thury and Les Howie from UEFA reported that a two-year working group was set up for Walking Football in 2022. A few months later, the results were published, covering the fundamentals of the sport, the basic rules and how to move from theory to practice. There was then space for some video links, with representatives of four European federations that have already started concrete Walking Football programmes: France, Gibraltar, Portugal and Sweden.

In the last part of the talk, the creator of Walking Football, John Croot, spoke about his own experience. Also speaking were the psychologist and psychotherapist Eleonora Ceccarelli, the FIGC Technical Sector teacher Carlo Castagna, and two coaches and players of Walking Football, Elena Proserpio Marchetti and Patrizia Sberti.

Giovanni Sacripante, national head of DCPS added: ‘We are proud to have organised this event together with AIAC, with the fundamental contribution and support of UEFA. The values of Walking Football are same as the FIGC's and our Division's: inclusion, social relations, breaking down any barriers or prejudices, personal wellbeing and safety.’

In the afternoon, on the field named after Enzo Bearzot, there was time for a beautiful and intense technical demonstration, with men's, women's and mixed teams, which was held in good spirits, despite the less than favourable weather.