Powerchair Football is one of the fastest growing sports for electric wheelchair users.
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.
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.
The competition is run weekly at Valentine Sports Park and also features a development squad and Division 2 Legaue.
Please contact annabelm@footballnsw.com.au or 02 8814 4459 for more information on how you can join.
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
2021 FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup: hosted by Australia and held in Sydney in October 2021
Powerchair Football Resources
Australian Powerchair Football Association
NSW Powerchair Football Association
Disability Sports Australia – Powerchair Football
