Media personality and former professional player, Mr Andy Harper has agreed to be the Chair of the Local Organising Committee for the 2021 Powerchair Football World Cup to be held in Sydney in October 2021.
Harper, with more than 320 appearances in the former National Soccer League, joins a distinguished committee of FFA, Football NSW, Hyundai A-League club and Powerchair Football administrators and players. Both Sydney based A-League clubs are represented by their CEOs, John Tsatsimas and Danny Townsend and well-respected local sports lawyer Stuart Corbishley also supports the Committee fresh from his work with the 2018 Invictus Games.
The Powerchair Football World Cup will be held at the Quay Centre in October 2021 and will involve around 10 countries from around the world.
On his appointment as Chair, Mr Harper said “I’m thrilled to be involved with this inspirational group of people. Powerchair football is great to watch, certainly, but the character, passion, determination and perseverance of the players and their support networks is really the most outstanding thing. As well as acknowledging and supporting this part of Australia’s football family, the 2021 Powerchair Football World Cup will importantly generate increased empathy for those football lovers amongst us who face acute and very specific challenges every day of their lives.”
Long-time football administrator and former owner of the Central Coast Mariners, Peter Turnbull is excited to be a part of the upcoming World Cup.
“I have been involved all my adult life with football administration and latterly ownership. I have won A-League premierships and Grand Finals plus many local trophies, and have travelled the world for football reasons, but all of that pales in comparison to the immense enjoyment I get from being involved in Powerchair Football.”
“The commitment of the players, officials and volunteers is a joy to witness. It’s an honour to now be involved with our home World Cup in Sydney in 2021. The last World Cup in USA was a huge success with France being World Champions and Australia achieving their best result this far, coming in fourth position. The LOC is a high powered and influential committee that I’m sure will deliver “the best World Cup ever.”
Football NSW Head of Football Peter Hugg added.
“We are pleased to be able to support both this event and all the players that play the game and who will compete for places in the state team and ultimately their country. Football NSW, together with our Hyundai A-League clubs, has continued to provide opportunities for these players and the hosting the World Cup here in Sydney in late 2021 is a natural extension of that support”.
The Local Organising Committee consists of the following individuals
- Andy Harper (Committee Chair)
- Peter Turnbull (Australia Powerchair Football Association)
- Matt Cross (Australia Powerchair Football Association)
- Michael Keyte (Australia Powerchair Football Association)
- Martin Dalrymple (Australia Powerchair Football Association)
- Jacob Cross (Australia Powerchair Football Association)
- Chris Suffield (Australia Powerchair Football Association)
- Stuart Corbishley (Corbishley Law)
- John Tsatsimas (Western Sydney Wanderers)
- Danny Townsend (Sydney FC)
- Peter Hugg (Football NSW)
- Charlotte Ercil (Football NSW)
- Aaron Dibdin (Football NSW)
- Matt Rippon (Football Federation Australia)
Prior to the World Cup, Sydney will get the chance to witness the Australian team in action against the touring national teams of Japan and New Zealand when they meet at the Asia Pacific Oceania Cup to be held at Homebush Stadium from 23rd – 25th October.
This event will serve as both a test event for the World Cup LOC as well as a crucial preparation activity for participating teams.
