Powerchair Football
Powerchair Football is a competitive team sport designed and developed specifically for electric wheelchair users. These participants include persons with quadriplegia, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, head trauma, stroke, spinal cord injury and other disabilities.
Powerchair Football combines the skill of the wheelchair user with the speed and power of the chair itself, to participate in an extremely challenging game similar to able bodied football. The game is usually played in an indoor centre. Two teams of four power chair users attack defend, and spin-kick a 13-inch (33cm) soccer ball in an attempt to score goals.
The game originated in France in the early 70’s. Since then many countries created their own version of the sport which led to an international meeting in Paris, France 2005. As a result, the international organisation, “Federation International de Powerchair Football Association” (FIPFA) was established in 2006. Since establishment of the sport in Australia has now competed internationally at the 2011 World Cup, 2013 APO Zone Championship, 2014 COPA America Zone Championship, the 2017 World Cup and the 2019 APO Zone Championships which they also hosted. Quay Centre, Sydney Olympic Park played host to the 2023 FIPFA Powerchair World Cup. The World Cup saw France take the title of Champions in the Grand Final against England. The Australian Poweroos ended up 6th.
The Australian Powerchair Football Association (APFA) is the national governing body for powerchair football. If you are interested in playing visit their website for more information.
How to Play Powerchair Football
The NSW Powerchair Football Association (NSWPFA) runs the NSWPFA Premier League which hosts clubs that are aligned with A-league and NPL clubs in NSW. Clubs compete against one another during the football season which includes teams such as the Central Coast Mariners, Hills United, Newcastle Jets, Sydney FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Powerchair Football Events
- APFA National Championships: this tournament is held annually and sees each state compete for the title.
- Club Championships: Held in January each year
- FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup
Details & Contact
- Program Coordinator: Annabel Meadley
- (02) 8814 4459
- annabelm@footballnsw.com.au
football4all EOI
This form allows Football NSW to collect expressions of interest for anyone with a disability to participate in any of the Football NSW inclusion programs, including AWD (Athletes with a disability) Futsal league, football4all club programs, Paralympic 7-a-side Football and Powerchair Football.
The information provided will assist Football NSW to continually develop new programs and the growth of inclusion football programs.
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