Sussex Walking Sports Day Shines in Eastbourne

Sussex Walking Sports Day Shines in Eastbourne

A fun-filled day of inclusive, low-impact sports brought Eastbourne’s over-50s together! Sussex hosted its first-ever Walking Sports Day for over-50s on Friday 18 July 2025 at The Saffrons in Eastbourne, bringing participants together for a day of activity, connection, and fun.

The event marked a unique collaboration between six local sporting bodies including the Sussex County FA, Sussex Rugby, Sussex Cricket Foundation, Sussex Hockey, Eastbourne Croquet Club, and Padel4All Eastbourne. 

Each organisation hosted walking versions of their sport, giving attendees a chance to get active while discovering new and accessible ways to enjoy sport later in life.

Participants were invited to take part in walking football, walking rugby, walking hockey, and walking cricket, along with introductory taster sessions in croquet and padel, which were all tailored to suit a wide range of mobility levels and sporting experience.

“The Walking Sports Day was all about giving people over the age of 50 a chance to stay active, socialise, and try new sports they may not have considered before,” said Sussex County FA’s Development Intern, Fabian Pettersson. 

“It’s so important to create inclusive opportunities that focus on both physical health and social connection as people get older.

“We had a brilliant sunny day packed with activities, and it was fantastic to see people enjoying sport in such a relaxed and welcoming environment. I’d like to thank Sussex County FA and Abi Knight for the chance to gain hands-on experience in delivering a community football development project through the NextGen Internship Programme.”

Participants praised the event’s friendly atmosphere and the chance to build new friendships while staying physically and mentally active.

Walking sports have seen a rise in popularity across the UK in recent years, offering a low-impact alternative that supports wellbeing and reduces barriers to sport, especially among older adults. Days like this play a vital role in reducing social isolation, promoting healthy lifestyles, and encouraging lifelong engagement with physical activity.

Organisers across all sports agreed the event was a huge success and hope to see Walking Sports Day become a regular feature in Eastbourne’s calendar. With strong community engagement and continued support from local organisations, the future of walking sports in East Sussex looks bright!

If you’re interested in trying out walking sports in your area, visit the websites of the participating organisations.

More photos from the Walking Sports Day event can be viewed via Simon Roe Photography.

For more information on walking cricket please contact the Foundation on foundation@sussexcricket.co.uk.

Article courtesy of the Sussex County FA and image copyright of Simon Roe Photography.