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Organizers ask Los Angeles Council to back citywide walking-soccer leagues for older adults
Summary
Organizers and councilmembers highlighted a local "walking soccer" league for adults 60 and older, asked the City Council to adopt a city-supported initiative and described the program's growth and health benefits.
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield highlighted a new walking-soccer program at Canoga Park and presented players and organizers to the Los Angeles City Council, where program founder Dr. Ben Drieling asked the council to adopt a citywide initiative to support walking-soccer leagues for older adults.
"What began with four people is now about 100 participants across three sites," Dr. Ben Drieling said, describing a league he started for players aged roughly 60 to 94 that removes high-contact elements and organizes teams by national origin. "Walking soccer promotes balance and physical improvement, and also creates an important sense of community supporting mental well-being."
Blumenfield said the program provides a social and physical outlet for older Angelenos and asked colleagues to recognize the league’s contribution to community health. Jeremy Alrightge, identified in the meeting as a parks director who has worked with the program at Lanark/Canoga Park, attended the presentation and was thanked by Blumenfield for supporting the site.
Councilmember Soto Martínez and other speakers praised the program’s benefits for aging residents and encouraged councilmembers to visit a practice. Dr. Drieling said teams had represented Los Angeles in a national event in Mallorca, Spain, and that the league fields teams representing national backgrounds including the United States, Israel, Peru, England and Ukraine.
Supporters asked the council to explore city sponsorship or logistical support — for example, assistance with permitting, facility access or city-sponsored leagues — before upcoming large international soccer events in the region. No formal motion or vote on a city program or funding for walking soccer was recorded in the meeting transcript.
Organizers’ requests focused on coordination and limited city support rather than a specific funding request; Dr. Drieling offered to coordinate volunteer organizers and local partners.
The council recognized the program with public presentation of certificates to players and organizers and invited members to attend practices.
The presentation concluded with a general invitation to councilmembers to visit Lanark Park at 9 a.m. for a demonstration.
