When Melanie Cohen laces up her boots later this month, it won’t just be another kickabout.
It’ll be England duty.
Mel, a familiar face at Lewes Walking Football and Newhaven Women is heading to Spain to represent the England Women’s Kicking Cancer team at the Walking Football World Nations Cup 2025.
That sentence alone says everything about how far this sport has come, and what it can mean.
The Team with a Purpose
The WFA England Women’s Kicking Cancer team isn’t your typical national squad.
It wasn’t built on scouting networks or league tables. It was built on courage.
As Mel explains: “I went for trials in the summer and got into the team which was set up by Julia Tibbs, who told me it was ‘to provide women with the opportunity to play alongside other women either living with or survivors of cancer. It will provide a brilliant support network within the WFA Football Community.’”
It’s a simple but powerful idea: bring together women whose lives have been touched by cancer, and give them a space to move, play, and belong again.
This isn’t just football, it’s a kind of therapy in motion.
The ball moves slowly, but the impact moves mountains.
Why “Kicking Cancer” Matters
The phrase “kicking cancer” isn’t just a slogan, it’s a mindset.
The team’s Instagram bio sums it up beautifully:
“Inspiring women living with, in remission from, or survivors of cancer.”
Each player brings her own story of treatment, of recovery, of finding herself again. Together, they turn those stories into strength, laughter, and friendship.
Walking football provides the perfect vehicle for it.
It’s low impact, but high connection. The slower pace opens the door to those who might have once closed it, physically or emotionally.
And it’s not just about sport.
- Embrace the health & social benefits of Walking Football with our “Walking Football – Is My Therapy” design perfect for players, supporters, & anyone who believes in the therapeutic magic of this socially inclusive, low-impact sport that gifts its players.
Last update on 2026-08-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Walking Football Limited is also an Amazon Associate and earns a commission from qualifying purchases
It’s about visibility, showing that women who’ve faced cancer can still be fierce competitors, teammates, and role models.
As one post from the team put it:
“Fun, friendships, unity, understanding, support, teamwork, hope and belief.”
That might as well be the team sheet.
Kicking Cancer – Women’s Squad
From Trials to Team: How It All Began
It started with Julia Tibbs, Head of Women’s Development at the WFA, who recognised that walking football could offer more than a game, it could offer a community of healing.
Trials were held across the regions. Mel was scouted through her club, Newhaven Women’s Walking Football, who encouraged her to attend. She made the cut, joining a squad of women from across England, each with a story that could fill a book.
They trained, they bonded, they laughed.
They learned each other’s styles, habits, and quirks. They discovered that even at walking pace, there’s no slowing the human spirit.
Mel explains:
“It’s a brilliant support network. I’m so proud to represent the team, and to be part of something that’s making a difference.”
The World Nations Cup – Spain Awaits
The FIWFA World Nations Cup 2025 will be held in Spain this October.
It’s the global stage for walking football, where teams from around the world gather to celebrate the game, compete, and connect.
The England Kicking Cancer squad will play exhibition matches, possibly against Spain’s own “Kicking Cancer” team and others who’ve been knocked out of the main draw.
They won’t be chasing trophies.
They’ll be chasing meaning, representing England, raising awareness, and proving that life after cancer isn’t defined by limits, but by what you choose to do next.
And if that happens to involve nutmegging someone from Portugal or scoring a cheeky tap-in against the Netherlands… all the better…
FULL STORY at source: https://leweslenny.substack.com/p/kicking-cancer-how-walking-football
FOLLOW TEAM ENGLAND HERE: https://www.facebook.com/thewalkingfootballassociation
ALL THINGS WORLD NATIONS CUP HERE: https://spainwalkingfootball.com/world-nations-cup/
GET MORE WALKING FOOTBALL NEWS HERE: https://walkingfootball.com/blog
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
