Gemma Darvill, a teacher from Milton Keynes, has been coaching the first England women's Parkinson's walking football team, known as the Parkinson's Pioneers. The team was founded in Solihull and has grown significantly, with membership increasing tenfold in just over three years. The initiative was created to help women living with Parkinson's disease stay physically active and socially connected. Darvill's passion for walking football began after her father, Les Darvill, was diagnosed with Parkinson's at age 58. Joining a walking football team helped him avoid loneliness, and Darvill believes the sport played a crucial role in improving his quality of life. Darvill, who has played football since she was 10 years old, was approached by Annie Booth, the founder of the Parkinson's Pioneers, after she was seen cheering for her father at a tournament. Since then, Darvill has coached the team, which now has over 40 members from across the UK. The team trains in Solihull, a central location that makes it easier for members from different regions to attend. Each session includes social elements, with players staying after training to share experiences and support one another, creating a strong sense of community. Walking football is a modified version of traditional football, designed to be safer and more accessible for people with physical limitations. The game eliminates rules such as offside, heading, throw-ins, and contact. Players focus on walking rather than running, and while the basic tactics are similar to mainstream football, specific rules are in place to ensure safety. A Parkinson's-specific physiotherapist is also part of the team to help with warm-ups, cool-downs, and to address individual needs. Darvill was chosen as the coach of the first England women's national Parkinson's walking football team after the Walking Football Association (WFA) launched trials last year. In August of this year, the WFA and the Football Association announced a partnership, making the FA the governing body for walking football in England, with the WFA as the delivery partner. This collaboration aims to streamline referee registration and unify rules across the sport. Darvill's England team plays six-a-side and includes players aged 36 to 66. The team has held training sessions in Watford, Droitwich, and Bedford and is preparing for a week-long trip to Toronto, where they will join the England men's Parkinson's team in an international showcase. The trip includes friendly matches against American teams and a Parkinson's fundraising day. Both teams are crowdfunding to cover the costs, with Darvill's personal page raising over £400 and a combined page for both teams raising over £17,000. The goal is to raise awareness of Parkinson's disease in Canada and support those affected by it.