About us
About Us
Steppers Community Interest Company Vision and Mission Statement:
“Empowering women of colour through walking football.”
The Steppers Women of Colour Walking Football Team is committed to fostering physical well- being, mental resilience, and community engagement among women of colour. Through the inclusive and supportive environment of walking football, we aim to break down barriers, promote health, and build lasting connections. Our mission is to thrive towards creating safe spaces where women can grow and flourish, both on and off the pitch.
Background
Steppers is dedicated to promoting physical and mental well-being among Women of Colour (WoC) aged over 40 in London and the Southeast through walking football. This is achieved by providing supportive and welcoming spaces for women to play.
We emerged in Covid when it was recognised that WoC were particularly isolated and needed support and encouragement to take part in physical activities.
We have witnessed firsthand:
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The need for WoC only space for team games, at a time, place and cost that makes it genuinely accessible.
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The well-documented mental health benefits, including reduced anxiety, depression, negative mood, improved self-esteem and cognitive function.
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The well-documented physical health benefits of regular and safe exercise, including combating cardiovascular issues, hypertension and diabetes, which are particular problems in our communities.
This is achieved by:
1. Weekly Sessions: Steppers organises weekly walking football sessions in the Finsbury Park area of London, focusing on fitness, flexibility, football skills, and overall health. These sessions are attended by WoC from across London, spanning ages 40 to 70.
2. Inclusivity and Support: Steppers thrives to ensure that their sessions are inclusive, supportive and focussed on the safety of members . WoC of all skill levels, fitness, and abilities can thrive, regardless of personal circumstances.
3. Competitions and Tournaments: Steppers actively participates in matches and tournaments with other women’s walking football teams at local, national, and international levels.
4. Breaking Barriers: Steppers works to overcome barriers faced by WoC in team sports. They keep membership costs low, fundraise for training and kit expenses, engage in community outreach, and collaborate with cultural initiatives.
The tangible benefits are fitness, well-being, confidence, enjoyment, teamwork, outreach, and anxiety alleviation.
Our Purpose
Purpose: Steppers Women of Colour Walking Football Team was created to increase representation and participation for Women of Colour in walking football. The term “Women of Colour” encompasses women from racial and ethnic backgrounds that have historically been underrepresented and marginalised, including those of African, Caribbean, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, Pacific Islander, and Indigenous descent.
Steppers seek to address racial inequalities in walking football by providing supportive and empowering spaces for Women of Colour who have been disproportionately affected by systemic racism and structural barriers to participation. We recognise that these barriers have led to a lack of representation in walking football, and we are committed to challenging them through fostering community, promoting well-being, and increasing visibility.
