We're working in partnership with the Wheelchair Football Association (WFA) to provide local powerchair football playing opportunities.

For many, powerchair football is the only truly inclusive active team sport. It caters for people who use a wheelchair or those who have severe mobility impairments, and we are looking for people to express interest in taking part in new taster sessions, which will help to determine dates and venues. There are no age restrictions, and powerchairs are provided for the players.

Powerchair provision is a completely mixed offer, allowing both youth and open-age players from all genders who have a physical disability to engage in the game. Essex County FA Development Manager, Karl Sear, is looking forward to hearing from new participants: “Whether this is an offer you have engaged in before or not, this is a fantastic opportunity… give it a try!”

“We want more people to be in a position to access powerchair football as it’s not something which many people will have seen before. A club can be set-up with adapted electric wheelchairs, as well as with attachments for players’ own wheelchairs. We hope to be able to offer more opportunities during the coming months.”

During powerchair matches, the participants use a larger ball in teams of up to eight players. Normally, it’s competed for on a standard five-a-side pitch for two 20-minute halves, with four players used at any time. Tackling is only allowed using bumper contact and, if the ball leaves the pitch, play is restarted. Powerchair football has previously been popular locally.

Interested in attending some upcoming taster sessions, delivered by specialist Wheelchair Football Association coaches? Please complete this short expression of interest form. For more information about powerchair football, visit the WFA website.