Frequently Asked Questions

  • What do I need to wear and bring to play?     

    It is recommended that you wear:

       Surface appropriate trainers or boots
       A breathable shirt
       Breathable shorts
       Shin pads
       Football socks
       Hat, cap or gloves (as appropriate for the weather)

    It is also recommended that you bring a water bottle.
    Please do not wear watches or other jewellery that could potentially cause injury to others or yourself.

    When playing at Littledown, astroturf boots are recommended (and can be readily purchased from sports retailers including Sports Direct, Amazon etc).

  • Is walking football safe to play?

    The rules of walking football are designed to make playing as safe as possible. Walking football is a non-contact game, and it is against the rules to tackle from behind and the side. Heading the ball is also not permitted.

  • What are the rules of walking football?

    BASIC RULES
    These guidelines set out the basic rules of play:

       Any running or jogging will usually result in an indirect free kick
       Non-contact
       Above head height restriction on ball
       Deflection above head height by goalkeeper – ball retained by keeper
       No heading the ball
       All free kicks indirect
       No offsides
       No tackling from behind
       No direct goal from kick-off or any dead ball situation
       All free kicks have defenders 3-metres distant
       Players may not play the ball whilst grounded – to include slide tackling and slide blocks
       Cornering a player is not permitted – allow opponent to turn
       No 2 versus 1 tackling at barriers/wall
       No tackling across an opponent at a wall/barrier
       Playing with reckless or dangerous intent is an infringement
       One-step penalty kicks
       No restriction on passing back or out from the goalkeeper
       Sin Bin time out for three either same or different infringements
       Zero tolerance on abusive conduct

    Full sets of rules for the FA and WFA organisations can be downloaded directly

    Walking Football Association - Laws of the Game

    Football Association - Laws of the Game

  • Am I fit enough to play?

    If you are unsure you are fit enough to play, please discuss playing walking football with your GP.

  • How do I get to Littledown?

    Public Transport:
    Bournemouth Station is served by both Cross-Country and South Western Railway.

    The Royal Bournemouth Hospital is just across Castle Lane from Littledown and is served by buses to/from all parts of the region:

    Morebus Services:
    * X1 & X2:  Town-centre / Christchurch / Lymington
    * X3:  Town-centre / Ringwood / Salisbury
    * X6:  Poole / Ferndown / Verwood / Ringwood
    * 14:  Poole / Alderney / Wallisdown
    * 15:  Poole / Parkstone / University / Winton

    Driving:
    Three hours of free parking is available at the BH Live Active Leisure Centre (seven days a week). An automatic number plate recognition system is in effect so should you wish to remain longer, please follow the instructions on the car park signage; this will infom you of the required charges that apply. Please follow the instructions carefully as fines are issued regularly.
  • What is the club's code of conduct?

    On and off the pitch, I will:
       Always play the game fairly and in the right spirit.
       Be aware of the impact of bad language, keeping spectators and members of the public, including children, in mind.
       Avoid criticising match officials. Accept that they make honest decisions and confronting them will not change it.
       Never verbally abuse a match official, player or spectator based on their appearance, race, religion, gender, or sexuality. Doing so could lead to dismissal from the field, suspension and possible police action.
       Never physically assault a match official, player or spectator. Doing so could lead to dismissal from the field, suspension and possible police action.
       Always win, lose or draw with dignity, and be prepared to shake hands with match officials, opposition players and manager at full-time.

    I understand, if I do not follow the Code of Conduct, I may expect to:
       Be cautioned, sin binned or sent off by the match officials, depending on the nature of the offence.
       Be asked to apologise to whoever I have offended or abused.
       Be disciplined by Bournemouth WFC, including being substituted, dropped, given a formal warning or suspended from training or matches depending on the nature of the offence.
       Be disciplined by the County Football Association, including being fined or suspended for a number of matches depending on the nature of the offence.
       Be handed a permanent exclusion by the FA or County Football Association, if the offence is deemed serious enough.

  • What is the club's privacy policy?

    Bournemouth Walking Football Club's Privacy Policy informs our members about the types of data the club collects and how the data is used.

    We currently collect and process the following information:
    Personal identifiers, emergency contacts and characteristics (for example, name and contact details including postal and email addresses).

    The personal information BWFC processes is provided directly by the member for at least one of the following reasons:
    • So we might communicate with the member via telephone and email
    • So we might communicate with the member's emergency contacts
    Please read our Privacy Policy

  • What is and where can I find an ICE Form?

    The In Case of Emergency (ICE) Form is a form that is to filled in and kept by the member themselves. The form provides the opportunity to list relevant personal and medical information. The form is to be filled in by all members and participants and brought to EVERY event. Due to the nature of the content, the form is to be held only by the member and kept personally, for example, in their sports bag. That way, if an adverse event occurs, appropriate medical information is readily available to emergency medical services.

    cloud_download Open ICE Form
  • What is SPOND?

    Bournemouth WFC uses SPOND to support the organisation of club events and attendance. SPOND is a free App available for iOS and Android devices and can also be used via the SPOND website.

    SPOND enables players to book their place in a session and also to message about an event or message other users. To apply to join the BWFC SPOND group, please click here.

    For an overview of SPOND'S Account Management, GDPR, Safeguarding and Privacy policies, please go here.

    You can delete your SPOND account by following the instructions here

  • Where do I register with the club?

    To register with Bournemouth Walking Football Club, please Register Here. All registrants must agree to abide by the club's code of conduct (see above - also found on the registration page).