Following much discussion with many members surrounding the deteriorating conduct and aggressive style of play that has developed at Tuesday morning walking football sessions and Thursday morning running football sessions in Tavira, the Committee of EA Football Club has decided to promote and launch a walking football session on Thursday mornings at the Pavilhao Municipal in parallel with the current ‘running’ football session. Two pitches, one for running and one for walking.
This new walking football session is intended for members and their guests who want to play the sport as it should be, with the emphasis on fun, friendship and fitness. We recognise that there are players of many different abilities and these differences must be observed and respected.
Most of us have passed milestone birthdays and as the age profile of our members continues to increase it is prudent and necessary to adapt our sessions to account for this.
So we need to temper aggressive and over physical behaviour at all sessions, both in Tavira and Olhao. Olhao has taken the lead on this and their session numbers have increased whereas numbers in Tavira continue to fall, both on a Tuesday and a Thursday. This is what we are trying to address.
In this rebrand of EA Football Club-organised walking football in Tavira, the aim will be to emphasise and strongly reinforce the values that make walking football such an enjoyable past-time for those in their twilight years wishing to extend their footballing life.
Walking football sessions on Tuesday and Thursday mornings will hopefully have an independent referee allocated not only to officiate but also, through explanation where appropriate, to help players interpret and understand the nuances of the application of our Laws Of The Game.
Where no independent referee is available then one of the players will need to step off and referee a fifteen minute session. It is expected that all members will volunteer for this role. Also players should at all times respect the referee and the decisions they make.
Those familiar with football leagues across Europe will regularly see mistakes being made by professional referees and VAR so you can expect the odd one at walking football sessions as well. The point is that we accept the referee’s decision and move on.
Needless to say, player safety and well-being is vital and it is the responsibility of each player to ensure that their actions are not damaging physically or mentally to an opponent.
On behalf of the Committee I can confirm that the start date of the new ‘Thursday Walking Football At Tavira’ session will be Thursday, 25th September 2025, the session commencing at 9am.
The Committee intends to administer and manage attendance at the session, and to communicate with attendees, via a WhatsApp group.
If you are interested in joining the session, please could you email me at with your name and (WhatsApp) contact number.
Equally, if you know of anyone who may be interested but does not use the club’s social media, please pass on to them this information.
New Season. New Laws. Better Observed.
We hope that the commitment that we are giving will encourage new members to join and past ones to come back to the sport that we all love.
Best regards
Paul Burn
Club Laws Of The Game and Referees Lead