Walking soccer creates opportunities for footballers of all ages to play on the same pitch. The Stratford
Sloths are a perfect example with players ranging in age from their 40s to 90s.

The mix includes a father and daughter, Peter and Celeste Mitchell, age 66 and 46 respectively. They
demonstrate how the walking game gives people a new way to enjoy soccer together.

Stratford residents learned of walking soccer after a local man spoke of his father playing in Kent,
England at age 83. Then, Peter sprang into action.

“It sounded fun,” Peter said. “I decided to give it a go, send emails to my soccer friends, and gather-up
who we could, regardless of age.”

While COVID did interrupt play in 2020, the group grew after the lockdowns were lifted, as people were
looking for an activity.

“Walking soccer gave people an opportunity to exercise which they hadn’t been able to do for close to a
year,” he recalled.

The Sloths gave Celeste an opportunity to continue playing at a time in when driving her sons to their
games made it hard for her to commit to an adult women’s league.

“Walking soccer is perfect because the games are on Sunday mornings and the odd weeknight,” she
said.

Peter’s weekly routine also includes work as a referee in competitive local leagues.

He coached Celeste from youth to adult soccer, well into her 30s. They occasionally played indoor games
together, but now walking soccer gives a regular opportunity to be clubmates.

When asked about the difference between her dad as coach and on the pitch, Celeste said, “It’s very
similar,” with a big smile. “You can't take the coach out of the player,” she added.

On any given week they could be on the same side or play against each other, making for an interesting
match-up as they are both central midfielders with similar styles.

“It's the most fun I've had through nearly 67 years playing football,” Peter said.
Peter applies a coach’s eye to walking soccer technique.

“The weight of the pass is crucial because you have less time in walking soccer,” he said. “You can put
your first touch into an area in running soccer and create a bit of space which is a little bit harder in
walking soccer."

“You can actually get closed down quicker in walking soccer than in running soccer – it’s strange.”

Celeste pointed to an understanding of where to move, away from the ball, as being particularly critical
in walking soccer.

“You have to know where you're going with the ball before it comes to you,” she said.

One element they have found to be consistent between running and walking soccer is the quality of
exercise.

“The number of steps I get in and the level of my heart rate compared to when I would play indoor
soccer is not too far below,” Celeste said.

Peter reports Fitbit readings that put his heart rate consistently about 20 beats per minute higher than
in running soccer. While that may be a surprise, he says the speed walking ability of his Stratford
teammates makes for an up-tempo game.

“We have people who can go amazingly fast and that doesn’t seem to be defined by age,” Peter said.
“Some of our older players are the fastest walkers.”

That’s proof that walking soccer is a game for all ages.