Lawrence seniors find a new way to keep playing soccer

Paula no longer has to try to outrun twenty-something men to stay in the game she loves. At Sports Pavilion Lawrence, she joins a group of about a dozen seniors who are finding that walking soccer delivers a serious workout, real competition, and enough camaraderie to keep them coming back. Two more free sessions are scheduled later this month, giving other older adults in Lawrence and Douglas County an easy way to try it.

How walking soccer works

The version being played in Lawrence keeps the sport familiar but strips away the parts that make full-field soccer hard on older bodies. Running is not allowed, at least one foot must stay on the ground at all times, and the game removes contact play, offsides, and much of the speed that can turn a casual return to soccer into a strain.

That is why the format has started to attract seniors who still want the rhythm of passing, positioning, and scoring without the wear and tear of traditional league play. The walking version keeps the ball moving and the players engaged, but it lowers the risk of the collisions, sprints, and abrupt changes in pace that tend to limit participation as people age.

Chris Ellis, who referees the sessions, says the sport began in England about 15 years ago and has since become popular in Canada and parts of Europe. Walking football is a small-sided game with no running, minimal physical contact, no slide tackles, and the ball kept below head height.

Why it is drawing older players

For players like Paula, the appeal is practical as much as social. She can no longer compete with younger men in Lawrence’s regular outdoor league, but walking soccer lets her stay active in a way that still feels like soccer instead of a generic exercise class. The exercise is not light, either: players tracked about 5,000 steps in an hour, which is enough to make the session feel purposeful even without the sprinting.

That kind of movement matters for older adults who are trying to preserve mobility, balance, and endurance while avoiding injuries that can set them back. The reduced-contact format also makes the game feel more approachable for people who have not played in years, or who stopped because their knees, hips, or recovery time no longer matched the demands of traditional competition.

The mental-health benefits are just as important. A weekly or recurring group like this gives players a reason to show up, talk with neighbors, and share the sort of steady social contact that can disappear after retirement or after leaving more physically demanding leagues behind.

Why Lawrence is a strong fit

Walking soccer is landing in a city that already has a deep recreational base. In January, more than 2,250 people held memberships to Lawrence recreation centers, a figure that was already more than 75% of the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department’s goal.

The city’s broader soccer energy also helps explain why this format has found an audience. Lawrence groups planned six free World Cup watch-party events in summer 2026 with support from Score Lawrence, adding another layer of soccer-centered activity across town.

How older adults can join in Lawrence

The most appealing part of the program is its low barrier to entry. The sessions are free, they are held at Sports Pavilion Lawrence, and the pace is built for older adults who want movement without contact-heavy play. That makes it easier for people who have been away from soccer for years, or who are looking for a safer way to stay active after traditional leagues stop making sense.

The game’s structure is also forgiving enough to accommodate different fitness levels. Walking football sessions outside formal competition can be adapted to suit participants, which helps explain why local versions can flex a little while keeping the same core rules intact.

For older adults in Douglas County who want a concrete way to keep playing, the path is straightforward. Show up for a free session at Sports Pavilion Lawrence, expect a slower pace than traditional soccer, and be ready for a version of the game that still asks for touch, awareness, and movement.