Our Walking Football Community is Already Making a Difference
In just three days, something special has happened.
Our fundraising campaign for Women & Children First (WACF) has already reached almost 50% of our target, and we still have seven sleeps to go until the inaugural Women’s Walking Football Festival 2026.
That is an incredible reflection of the women, families, friends and supporters who make up our walking football community.
To everyone who has already donated thank you.
To everyone who has shared a post, started a conversation, encouraged a friend or is planning to donate over the coming days ❤️ thank you.
Every act of generosity matters.
More Than Just a Day of Football
On Monday 20th July, 60 wonderful women will come together from across New South Wales for a day of friendship, fun and walking football.
Some have been playing for years.
Some are brand new to the sport.
Many have travelled long distances simply to be part of this unique event.
But while football brings us together, our purpose reaches well beyond the pitch.
This year’s festival proudly supports Women & Children First, a local charity that has spent more than 50 years helping women and children escaping domestic violence, abuse and homelessness across Sydney’s Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore.
Their work provides emergency accommodation, practical assistance, trauma-informed support and pathways towards rebuilding lives.
Closer Than We Think
One of the powerful reminders throughout this campaign is that domestic violence is not something that happens “somewhere else.”
The reality is that among the 60 women joining us on festival day, there is every chance that someone has experienced domestic violence themselves, knows someone who has, or may one day be the person another woman turns to for help.
Perhaps someone in our football family has already found safety because of organisations like Women & Children First.
Perhaps someone reading this today will remember the name, share a post, or know where to seek help when it’s needed.
Sometimes awareness is just as valuable as fundraising.
Simply sharing these messages may help the right person at exactly the right time.
Gift Cards That Change Lives
Alongside our online fundraising, we’re also collecting gift card donations to present directly to representatives from Women & Children First at the festival.
Gift cards for supermarkets, petrol, pharmacies and department stores provide something incredibly important, they give women and families choice, dignity and independence at a time when they need it most.
If you’re attending the festival and would like to contribute, please bring a gift card with you. Every card, regardless of its value, will make a genuine difference.
One Community
Walking football has always been about far more than the game.
It is about belonging.
It is about looking after one another.
It is about creating safe spaces where everyone is welcome.
Over the past two days, our community has shown exactly what those values look like in action.
As we head towards festival day, let’s keep the momentum going.
If you’re able to donate, thank you.
If you’re able to bring a gift card, thank you.
And if all you can do is share our posts and help spread the word, that may be enough to reach the one person who needs to know that help is available.
Together, through football and friendship, we’re doing something much bigger than playing a game.
Women helping women help women. ❤️
