Player Story: Janette Hynes MBE – Giving Women a Voice Through Walking Football
Women's WFA North East regional manager, Janette Hynes MBE, shares her journey from professional footballer to walking footballer. As co-founder of Active Connextions, Janette tells WF4W what motivates her to help women rebuild their lives and develop a sense of purpose through walking football.
When people ask me about my journey, they often think it began with walking football. The truth is, it started much earlier – on the streets of Middlesbrough, where as a little girl all I wanted was the same opportunity as the boys. I loved football so much that I even cut my hair short and asked people to call me “Brian”, after Brian Clough, the amazing manager for Nottingham forest and many more!! I thought I might be able to play in the lads teams hoping it would give me the chance to play.
Football has shaped my life ever since.
I went on to play at a high level, including professionally with Fulham Ladies, where I was fortunate to learn from outstanding coaches such as Jenny Archer. My playing career taught me that success isn’t just about talent; it’s about hard work, curiosity and always being willing to learn. I was the first player at training, watching the coaches, writing notes and asking why every session was planned the way it was.
After football, my career took an unexpected turn. Following the death of my father, I trained as an Occupational Therapist because I wanted to understand how I could help people rebuild their lives. Working within mental health services opened my eyes to the power of meaningful activity, belonging and purpose. Rather than seeing illness, I saw people with potential who simply needed someone to believe in them.
That belief led me to create pioneering mental health football programmes at a time when very few people recognised the role sport could play in recovery. The work eventually led to me being awarded 7 national and 8 regional awards and an MBE for services to disability sport - an honour that recognised not just my work, but the courage of the people who trusted me enough to join me on that journey.
Today, my passion is women’s walking football.
When I returned to the North East from London in 2024, I saw something familiar. Hundreds of women in their forties, fifties, sixties and beyond who had always wanted to play football but had never been given the chance. Many had raised families, worked hard all their lives or simply believed football wasn’t for them because no opportunities existed when they were young.
I knew that had to change.
Through Active ConneXtions, and working alongside the WFA - Stuart Langworthy in particular, who guided me in my walking football journey in coaching and setting up teams like stokesley walking football clubs and now giving me the opportunity of becoming the North East women’s manager - I was able to create opportunities for women across the North East to play, train and compete in a supportive environment. We established regional teams, created a pathway into the England selection and, perhaps most importantly, built a community where women encourage one another rather than compete against each other off the pitch.
Watching someone kick a football for the first time at the age of sixty is every bit as rewarding as watching an international player. The smile is exactly the same. So is the pride.
For me, coaching has never been about winning trophies. It’s about helping people understand the game, believe in themselves and enjoy being part of something bigger. When people understand their role, they grow in confidence. That confidence often spreads beyond football into everyday life.
Walking football has also reminded me of something I learned throughout my career: people need connection. Whether someone has lost a partner, retired, experienced illness or simply feels isolated, football has a remarkable ability to bring people together. The conversations before training, the laughter during sessions and the friendships formed afterwards are just as important as the football itself.
None of this would have been possible without the support of my husband, Simon, who shares my passion for community work and now works alongside me delivering walking photography and walking football projects. Together, we’ve seen first-hand how physical activity, creativity and friendship can transform lives.
Looking back over my journey, I realise football has always been much more than a game. It has been the thread that has connected every stage of my life – from the little girl desperate to play, to the professional footballer, Occupational Therapist, community leader and now coach.
If I hope to leave one legacy, it is this: that every woman, regardless of her age or ability, knows there is a place for her in football.
Because it’s never too late to discover the joy of the game.
Janette Hynes MBE Founder, Active ConneXtions CIC Occupational Therapist, UEFA Coach
Find out more about Janette and her work with the North East Regional team, Stokesley plus other work in the community at her website.
Photos courtesy of Simon Thurlow
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