Football Canterbury Launches 2026 Walking Football Hub at Cooke Park

Football Canterbury is set to elevate its Walking Football offering in 2026, officially unveiling Cooke Park in South Strathfield/Belfield as the new home of its growing social football program.

The centrally located venue on Chisholm Street will provide a purpose-built base for Walking Football participants from across Sydney, with strong numbers already travelling from multiple regions to take part each week.

Cooke Park offers an all-weather synthetic surface, surrounding seating, and a modern community precinct featuring barbecue facilities and a children’s playground, alongside a grass field adjacent to the main pitch, creating a welcoming environment for players and families alike.

The Walking Football program itself continues to thrive as a social, mixed-format competition held on Saturday afternoons from 1:30pm to 4:00pm.

With no formal team registrations required, players are split into sides on the day, catering for both social participants and those seeking a slightly more competitive environment.

The season runs through to the end of August, with participation costs set at just $90 for the full season, including insurance, making it one of the most accessible football programs in the region.

Beyond the weekly competition, the program also provides pathways for players to take part in Walking Football tournaments across Australia, with opportunities to represent Australia at overseas Masters events.

Football Canterbury Operations and Programs Manager David Cooper said the move represents a significant step forward for the program’s growth and accessibility.

“Football Canterbury is very excited to have a new home for our Walking Footballers,” said Cooper.

“Cooke Park now gives Walking Footballers their own space and we hope that this venue’s very central location in the inner southwest of Sydney will become a hub for walking football and attract people from all parts of Sydney.

“We worked closely with Strathfield Council, who are keen to see the venue used for community-based programs and as such we are exploring opportunities for additional football programs such as All Abilities to use the facility.”

Registrations for the 2026 Walking Football season are now open, for more information on how to register click here.