You are invited to Canada's first Parkinson's Walking Soccer Festival. This FREE event is open to people living with Parkinson's, family, carers, healthcare professionals and anyone looking to discover how walking soccer can transform the lives of people living with Parkinson's.

Parkinson's United™ proudly welcome the England Parkinson's Walking Soccer Men's and Women's National Teams to Toronto Walking Soccer Club.

DATE: Thursday September 17, 2026, 10am-2pm.
VENUE: Cherry Beach Sports Fields, 275 Unwin Ave, Toronto, ON M5A 3K8

This visit marks the official launch of Parkinson's United™ and celebrates the growing international friendship between Canada and England walking soccer communities.

The festival will feature:

  • Coaching, training and fun soccer games
  • Participation in friendly mixed Canadian and England teams
  • Walking Soccer exhibition matches
  • Community celebrations
  • Opportunities to meet players living with Parkinson's from both countries
  • Awareness and media events
  • Opportunities for healthcare professionals, clubs and community organisations to learn more about Parkinson's Walking Soccer
Get Your FREE Ticket!

We Need Your Help

Whether you are a business or an individual we would like to ask for support. We need funds for soccer fields, First Aid, PA systems and sports shirts for all participants, plus other items that will help the day go smoothly. Even the smallest amount will help. Thank you!!

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT PAYMENTS BY ZEFFY.Zeffy encourages a donation to their service. Please note that Toronto Walking Soccer Club does not receive ANY benefits from donations.

Meet the England Parkinson's Women's Walking Football Team

  • Ellie Finch Hulme

    Place of Birth: Ashington, UK 
    Date of Birth: 31/12/83 
    Playing Position: left wing


    "I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s aged 29.  Advanced treatment complications have been challenging for me in recent times. Discovering walking football, a year ago has been a lifeline.

    I train locally with the Farnham Town Flares—five minutes away from my home—and regularly join a supportive community at the Sutton Foundation alongside two England teammates.

    I'm nervous and excited for our upcoming Canada trip and can't wait to represent my country alongside some amazing women."

  • Karen Bagley

    Place of Birth: Redhill, Surrey, UK
    Date of Birth: 22/12/1975
    Playing Position: Right Wing/Forward


    "My football journey began with the Sutton United Foundation, where I discovered the power of walking football after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s. What started as a way to stay active quickly became a passion, giving me confidence, friendships, and belief in myself again. Through hard work and determination, I earned the incredible honour of representing England. Wearing the England shirt is something I never imagined possible, and I’m proud to show that Parkinson’s doesn’t define me or stop me from achieving my dreams."

  • Sue Sumners

    Place of Birth: Cyprus
    Date of Birth: 28/03/1963
    Playing Position: Forward


    "Walking Football has rebuilt my life since my Parkinson’s diagnosis three years ago. Sutton United Foundation hasn’t just given me sessions, it has given me a renewed sense of purpose, strength, and friendships. I’m now more active than ever, enjoying activities from boxing to painting. My childhood dream of representing England in hockey ended at 22, yet I’m now heading to Canada to represent my country. It’s surreal — proof that my future is brighter than ever."

  • Joanna Forrest (Eastough)

    Place of Birth: Birmingham, UK
    Date of Birth: 19/01/1980
    Role: Parkinson’s Specialist Physiotherapist

    "I began my walking football journey four years ago as physiotherapist for the men’s England Parkinson’s walking football team. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of helping to build the women’s England Parkinson’s team, supporting the trials and continuing now as team physiotherapist. With more than 16 years’ clinical experience supporting people with Parkinson’s from diagnosis onwards, I feel truly excited, inspired and honoured to bring my knowledge and passion to Toronto, stand alongside these remarkable players, and connect with the wider Parkinson’s community."

  • Julie Norris

    Place of Birth: Guisborough, Yorkshire, UK
    Date of Birth: 15th February 1970
    Playing Position: defence/sub goalie

    "Football gives me freedom from Parkinson’s because when I’m on the pitch, PD doesn’t exist. Being selected to play for your country is every sportsperson’s dream regardless of sport. Being selected for England Women’s Parkinson’s Walking Football team is a privilege; not bad for a girl from Yorkshire who was told from an early age that, ‘Girls don’t/can’t play football.’"

  • Annie Booth

    Place of Birth: Manchester, UK
    Date of Birth: 28/06/1967
    Playing Position: GK and anywhere needed
    Role: Founder England Parkinson's Women's Football Team
    Founder Parkinson's Pioneers Women's Walking Football Community


    "Walking football has given me so many moments of joy and the chance to learn new skills. We’ve built a community where strong friendships grow and people feel truly seen — and that matters. For me, it’s helped me reclaim confidence, movement, and a sense of purpose that Parkinson’s can sometimes dim. Representing England feels like carrying hope, pride, and the strength of our whole Parkinson’s community with me."

"Walking football is my ‘Happy Place’ where I can be Sue and not the diagnosis."

Sue Hulls-Smith, England Women's Team

  • Sue Hulls-Smith

    Place of Birth: Hayes, Kent, UK
    Date of Birth: 18/03/1961
    Playing Position: Defender


    "Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019 I was devastated and thought my competitive sporting days were over. I became isolated and struggled to come to terms with my new life. Walking football has provided a focus for me and a community that supports and nurtures us all. Walking football is my ‘Happy Place’ where I can be Sue and not the diagnosis. Representing my country, again now, at 65 years old, is an absolute privilege."

  • Gemma Darvill

    Place of Birth: St Albans, UK
    Date of Birth: 02/07/1990
    Role: Coach/Manager

    "Football has been a huge part of my life since I was ten years old. Eight years ago, my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson's, and that inspired me to become involved with Parkinson's
    walking football. Seeing the positive impact the game has on so many people has been incredible. To now be the coach and manager of the England Walking Football Parkinson's team is a dream come true, and an honour I will always cherish with immense pride."

  • Chris Stanley

    Place of Birth: Glasgow, Scotland
    Date of Birth:19-5-1962
    Playing Position: Forward/mid field

    "In 2024, I went to a taster walking Football session with Pioneers ladies’ team. Having been a PE teacher for 34 years I loved it. I hadn’t played football but used transferable skills with success. I was very fortunate to be asked to represent the Pioneers at a tournament in Spain, then trialled for the England team and delighted to have been selected. I feel I have found my tribe. I’m humbled to be playing for the first ever ladies English team with PD."

"Discovering walking football a year ago has been a lifeline."

Ellie Finch Hulme, England Women's Team

Meet the England Parkinson's Men's Walking Football Team

  • Richard Dunning

    Place of birth: Hartlepool
    Date of birth: 01/11/1977
    Playing position: Defender
    What walking football means to me: Walking football has given me a purpose again after a diagnosis of PD. It’s given me the opportunity to be part of a team again, lots of great friendships for life, lots of amazing places I’ve visited playing the beautiful game around UK, Europe and the World.

    Getting an England call up, putting that jersey on means everything for me, it’s what dreams are made of. Growing up playing as a youngster, I’m so proud and honoured to represent England, being an ambassador raising awareness whenever I can to promote Sport and exercise.

  • Keith Bibby

    Place of birth: Salford, Greater Manchester
    Date of birth: 04/11/1951
    Playing position: Defence
    What walking football means to me: He started playing walking football with Bury Relics in the Greater Manchester Walking Football League in 2017, and, following trials, was called up into the inaugural England Parkinson’s Walking Football squad in 2022.

    Keith says the England call up was an incredible time in his life, and is extremely proud to represent his country. Keith wrote a poem in December 2022 to commemorate the first official games for the England Parkinson’s Walking Football team in Belfast. He is proud to say the poem is now on display in the National Football Museum in Manchester.

  • Joe Gregory

    Place of birth: St Neots, Huntingdonshire
    Date of birth: 28/11/1958
    Playing position: Defender
    What walking football means to me: Diagnosed with Parkinson's on World Parkinson's Day 11th April 2019, I thought my hopes of returning to playing football were ended with the diagnosis. It has been completely the opposite however, and I now play (walking) football even more than when I was a kid.

    I am humbled and very honoured to represent the Parkinson's community of England by playing for the international walking football team

  • Michael Campbell

    Place of birth: Liverpool

    Date of birth: 28/01/1966

    Playing position: Defender

    What walking football means to me: Walking football has totally changed and enriched my life after my Parkinsons diagnosis in May 2024. I’ve met so many new friends playing locally and nationally with the England team which has improved my life forever. There is nothing quite like the camaraderie and the matchday experience, it’s better than any medication for the condition. Representing England to me is the best achievement I have ever made and it’s an absolute honour to do so.

  • Garen Williams

    Place of birth: Bridgend, Wales

    Date of birth: 30 December 1971

    Playing position: Striker

    What walking football means to me: Walking football has become a hugely important part of my life since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s. It has given me a way to stay active, competitive and connected with others who understand the condition. Representing England has been an enormous privilege and has taken me around the world, creating friendships and unforgettable experiences. Pulling on an England shirt reminds me what is still possible while living with Parkinson’s.

  • Andy Hobbs

    Place of birth: Birmingham

    Date of birth: 19th April 1965

    Playing position: Goalkeeper

    What walking football means to me: There has always been circumstantial evidence that exercise slows the rate of progression of Parkinson's, and increasingly this is being supported by clinical research. To anyone newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s, I would say that if you concentrate on exercise, diet, and stress management, your quality of life will be significantly better until science comes up with the answers. Being selected to play for England was one of the proudest moments of my life, and proved beyond doubt that with adversity comes opportunity.

if you concentrate on exercise, diet, and stress management, your quality of life will be significantly better

Andy Hobbs - England Men's Team

  • Chris Lambert

    Place of birth: Blackburn

    Date of birth: 28/05/72

    Playing position: Centre forward

    What walking football means to me: I first heard about walking football on Twitter and found northern lights in Liverpool i was hooked and then was fortunate to join the England squad and the rest is history

  • Laurence Wilson

    Place of birth: Harrow England

    Date of birth: 21/05/1959

    Playing position: Midfield

    What walking football means to me: Really enjoy playing with my " band of brothers". We all share a common bond which makes our journey together a special one.

  • Simon Forrest

    Place of birth: Birmingham England

    Date of birth: 16 March 1968

    Playing position: midfield or forward

    What walking football means to me: To meet so many like minded people who want to support each other as a community whilst also demonstrating the positive effect sport can have on slowing down Parkinsons has been lifechanging.To play football and represent my country has been an honour.

  • Nick Taylor

    Place of birth: Whalley, Lancashire

    Date of birth: 3rd October 1969

    Playing position: Left midfield/striker

    What walking football means to me: Walking football gave me something I didn’t realise I’d lost: purpose, belonging and the feeling of being part of a team again. It has helped me to control my symptoms and has given me friendships and memories that Parkinson’s cannot take away. Representing England means everything. Pulling on that shirt is an enormous privilege - proof that Parkinson’s may change what you can do, but it doesn’t define what you can achieve

  • Brian Quinn

    Place of Birth: Liverpool England

    Date of Birth: 31/08/1958

    Playing Position: Defence/holding midfield

    Role: Tour Captain

    What walking football means to me: Walking Football - who knew?  The gift that keeps on giving.  Just when I thought life was pretty grim, I played my first game of WF, at the age of 63  I was captured by it immediately.  It has become my central framework around which I fit my life.  My teammates are like family, sharing ups and downs of this chronic progressive disease, and our football fortunes.  The icing on the cake - representing England and being asked to captain my country.  The cherry on the icing - playing competitive football in my late 60s in front of my kids and now grandkids. Just let me pinch myself again!

  • Seth Gillman

    Place of Birth: Clapham, London.
    Date of Birth: 22nd December 1965.
    Playing Position: Anywhere apart from in goal!
    Role (if applicable): Kit Manager
    What walking football means to me: Walking football has made a huge positive difference to my life. I have met amazing people and travelled to incredible places. I benefit both physically and emotionally from the sport and now can’t imagine my life without it. I am immensely proud to represent my country and want to spread the word about how much walking football can help people with Parkinson’s to stay active and hold back the symptoms of the condition.

  • Kevin Ramsey

    Place of Birth: Sunderland

    Date of Birth: 03/11/1969

    Playing Position: Goalkeeper
    What walking football means to me: Walking football has given me purpose, confidence and a real sense of belonging while living with Parkinson’s disease. It keeps me active, challenges me, and reminds me that diagnosis does not define what I can achieve. Being part of this team means friendship, pride and hope. Representing England is a huge honour and shows that, with support and determination, we can still do amazing things.

It has helped me to control my symptoms and has given me friendships and memories that Parkinson’s cannot take away.

Nick Taylor - England Men's Team