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News: Powerchair Football kicks off in Southampton
2008-04-15
6 enthusiastic young people were put through their paces by Sam Bull from the Wheelchair Football Association (WFA). Sam is the WFA National League Secretary, but also plays for Aspire Powerchair Football Club that are based at the ASPIRE centre in Stanmore, Middlesex. Sam, who has represented the WFA England Team said of the day “The sport of Powerchair Football has grown massively in the last 18 months. The number of teams and opportunities to start playing Powerchair Football are increasing and events like this are a great way to showcase the sport and recruit new players for the future.”
The project came together after close work between Sian Parsons from University of Southampton, Peter Hull – Sport Hampshire and IOW, disability officer, Sacha Nicholas, Hampshire FA County Development Manager and Julia Tucker Blackford, Assistant Partnership Development Manager for Southampton School Sport Partnership.
Peter Hull added ‘Football is probably the most popular sport in this country loved by people of all ages, whether as a spectator or player. However, because of the nature of the game people who use powerchairs have been unable to play the beautiful game - not any more! This Festival was the first step in setting up an opportunity for powerchair users, who want to play football, to be part of something exciting. If the enthusiasm and enjoyment on the day was anything to go by I believe the game has a big future in the county’.
Sacha Nicholas, Hampshire FA County Development Manager said “This was an excellent opportunity for young people who have not had the opportunity to play football before in a format relevant to them. We are very hopeful this will become a regular activity and that we will play teams from other counties in the near future.”
Julia Tucker-Blackford added ‘With the Governments ambition to ensure all young people between the ages of 5-16 are participating in 5 hours of physical activity a week, it is essential that we are providing opportunities for all young people. I am very excited about the prospect of Southampton having a powerchair football team based at this fantastic facility. If you’re reading this and you’re a powerchair user yourself please come and give it a go, or if you know a powerchair user please let them know so they can be part of this exciting sport’.
Taster sessions for all ages and abilities will be held on:
Monday 28.04.08 - 4.30pm-6pm
Monday 30.06.08 - 4.30pm-6pm
Monday 21.07.08 - 4.30pm-6pm
Monday 18.08.08 - 10.00am - 12
Regular Weekly sessions from Monday, 8th September, 4.30pm-6pm.
For more information, please contact Julia Tucker-Blackford
Tel: 023 8029 4174
Email: Julia.tucker-blackford@redbridge.southampton.sch.uk
If your Club has any news that you would like to be added to the WFA site, please email it to:
admin@thewfa.org.uk