Looking for a high-octane, energetic and fun team sport to play as a power wheelchair user?
Then Powerchair Football – AKA Powerchair Soccer – could be the sport for you.
Open to anyone who can independently control a power wheelchair (there are no attendant controls), Powerchair Football was developed in the 1980s in France and has been played in Australia since 2010.
Powerchair Football Australia National Director of Operations Jason Ryan says it’s one of the most inclusive sports available.
Played in dedicated sports powerchairs, which can reach higher speeds and with a lower centre of gravity – so less chance of tipping over – Powerchair Football powerchairs also have a special foot guard which players use to “kick” the larger Powerchair Football ball. Games and training take place on an indoor futsal court, which is a smaller, hard-floored soccer pitch with the same markings as a soccer pitch.
Mr Ryan says it’s one of the most inclusive sports out there.
“It’s the best sport around. My son plays, he has a neuromuscular condition that means he is limited to a powerchair for his day-to-day mobility, and that was the target for players of this sport initially,” Mr Ryan says.
“However, I see the sport as one anyone can play. Whatever your ability, if you can drive a powerchair, you can play the sport. Boy, girl, young, old, able or disabled, anyone can play.
“That’s why I think the sport is so awesome – it’s a sport that can make true community, can be expanded and played in everytown, everywhere.”
How does powerchair football work?
Currently Powerchair Football have teams available in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia, with plans to expand the sport nationwide.
In many teams, players starting out can borrow a specialised football powerchair – this also protects their everyday chair from any damage. In others, the guard is attached to the everyday chair. Once committed, buying a custom football powerchair is usually the next step, Mr Ryan says.
“They are a pretty basic system, high-performance motors with standardised controls and the seating can be quite adaptable,” he says.
“I advocate for that in my role, if someone is speaking to me about buying a chair or NDIS-approved chair, they should engage an Occupational Therapist for the seating system.
“You are spending a large amount of funding on the chairs and also spending a long time in the seat – up to six hours – so if you have limited core supports we need to ensure you’re safe.”
At this stage, NSW teams have loaner chairs with the longer goal to make them available in all states.
The first step is coming along to a come-and-try session. Here, you’ll learn about manoeuvring the chair, rules of the game and meet your team mates. Powerchair Football is suitable from children upwards – Mr Ryan’s son Joshua started playing when he was aged 3. It’s also suitable for people who use communication devices – while they can’t be used on the pitch during a game, there isn’t a need for constant verbal communication while playing. Players using respiratory supports can also play.
Then, the wider world of Powerchair Football beckons.
“You can progress through years and can go from development, to team, club, then representing your state, country and playing in World Cups with world travel ahead of you. The next Powerchair Football World Cup is in Argentina in 2026.”
But closer to home, Mr Ryan says Powerchair Football can expand your own sense of confidence, community and connection.
“One of the biggest benefits of playing a sport is the social connection. A lot of participants, like in other sports, lose their sporting desire. Usually those moving from teenage to adulthood, become distracted and don’t play as much, leading to social isolation,” he says.
“In particular those with a disability often feel isolated. They might attend a mainstream school but can’t participate in all activities, often leading to feeling different and excluded. If for any reason, participants aren’t attending school, higher education or work, social isolation can become even worse.
“The friendships people have made through Powerchair Football I know have extended into socialising, like going into the city with support workers and staying in apartments together. One mum told me she has just seen her daughter’s confidence explode everywhere – it starts on the pitch but then it positively impacts so many areas of life. You develop real friendships and a massive social network.”
For Joshua, he says Powerchair Football is the highlight of his week, where he can “do everything, not just a couple of things”. Teammate Daniel O’Brien says the sport is full of “adrenaline and it’s basically become a second-nature to me – it just feels awesome”.
When it comes to NDIS funding, Mr Ryan says Powerchair Football aligns with goals around community participation, as well as developing stamina and resilience. Your local club will be able to help with letters of support and reports to go to your NDIA planner, he adds.
And while it’s not yet a Paralympic Sport, there are dreams of getting it as an exhibition sport at the Brisbane Paralympics in 2028.
To find your local Powerchair Football team, search for your state on Facebook or contact the Australian Powerchair Football Association https://www.apfa.org.au/
