Saturday saw the launch of the Essex Women's Walking Football League at Chelmsford's Melbourne 3G facility. Six teams took part in the Central Venue League festival that will link to a set of league fixtures to follow once a month between now and the end of July.

Teams included Great Wakering Women's Walking Football with two teams, Clacton Rhinos Women's Walking Football, Billericay Town Women's Walking Football, Parringdon Pirates and Leyton Orient Women's Walking Football.

The league has been a work in progress for the last few months which has seen a committee work tirelessly to ensure opportunities for fixtures were accessible and a great environment for the female player.

Secretary Debbie Leitch has played an instrumental part in ensuring the league was ready to go the week of International Women's Day! Speaking about the launch, she said "After months of hard work, watching all the teams playing today made it all worth it. The weather was fantastic, the pitch was great, we couldn't have asked for more! I'd like to thank Emma, Karl and the Essex FA team, the committee and all the teams who participated. We couldn't have done it without you. Women's Walking Football is now on the Essex map and will only get bigger and better. If you would like to get involved and / or take part in walking football, get in touch and we will put you in contact with your nearest club"

The results from the launch weekend fixtures can be seen in the table below. 

Game 1	GWWWFC Whites 0-0 Billericay Town
Game 2	GWWWFC Greens 1-0 Leyton Orient
Game 3	Clacton Rhinos 0-1 Paringdon Pirates
Game 4	GWWWFC Whites 0-0 GWWWFC Greens
Game 5	Billericay Town 1-0 Clacton Rhinos
Game 6	Leyton Orient 0-0 Paringdon Pirates
Game 7	Clacton Rhinos 2-0 GWWWFC Whites
Game 8	GWWWFC Greens 1-1 Paringdon Pirates
Game 9	Billericay Town 0-1 Leyton Orient
Game 10	GWWWFC Whites 0-2 Paringdon Pirates
Game 11	Leyton Orient 0-0 Clacton Rhinos
Game 12	Billericay Town 0-1 GWWWFC
Game 13	Leyton Orient 2-0 GWWWFC Whites
Game 14	Billericay Town 0-0 Paringdon Pirates
Game 15	GWWWFC Greens 0-0 Clacton Rhinos

 

Three of the teams had been supported by The FA's Just Play initiative that supports Women's Recreational programmes with set up costs and equipment packs. If you are interested in setting up a team or signing onto a Female Just Play initiative, then please contact Emma.Burden@EssexFA.com.