Table of Contents
Introduction
Today’s post is something I had on my computer for the last couple of months on the sport I play. This was originally published to bring awareness to powerchair football, a regular sport I participate in outside of work alongside other activities but I hope you enjoy the post!
Bit About Myself
For those that don’t know, I’m a disabled individual with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy which is a muscle-wasting condition caused by the lack of a protein called dystrophin – all muscles relying on dystrophin, including, most limbs (arms, legs, etc), heart and lungs muscles are impacted by the condition.
Despite the condition, things like working full-time, driving, and participating in sports have never been a problem for me thanks to the advancements in technology, support, and treatments available. One sport, known as powerchair football, has been one of my sporting passions for just over a decade now and is a regular commitment outside of working hours.
So, what is Powerchair Football?
Powerchair football is one of the most played disability sports in England/the UK. The game is played in a 4 vs 4 setups with a keeper, middle player and two outfield players/wingers. Like football, the game aims to score more than the opposing team to win. What makes this game possible is its equipment, the powered chairs specially designed to hit and pass the ball.
Rules of the Game
Since the game is 4-a-side, the rules have been changed to ensure the game can flow. Some rules, such as 2-on-1 ensure that two attackers can’t be on the ball at the same time and the usual contact and dissent rules remain to ensure players remain sportsmanlike. And of course, yellow, and red cards are given out to players who repeatedly break the rules and show misconduct during the match.
Nottinghamshire Powerchair Football Club
Very recently, the team I play for, Nottinghamshire Powerchair Football Club (NPFC) just finished their season (2021/2022) in the MDUK National Premiership League as supported by the Wheelchair Football Association.
We were able to finish 4th out of the 12 teams competing and won the team of the season award which is a great achievement to celebrate for us (since we’re always finishing 7th)!
We’ve got a great team of 5 players (now 6 for the 2022/2023 season) but always looking for more talented players to refine and improve our table positions year on year!
Playing the game has always been a passion for me ever since I started over a decade ago (2010). The sport has continuously changed and evolved, giving me more reasons to continue developing and growing as a player. For the past couple of years, the sport has also been featured on BT Sport for the yearly FA Disability Cup, showcasing the exceptional skill of the players involved in the sport.
Development
It has also been great for me in terms of developing key skills and building up my confidence, both socially and professionally. Being part of a community has helped me to come to terms with my disability too (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy) as everyone else is going through similar scenarios/is in similar circumstances.
Please Support My Team!
If you wish to support our team, please contact the club at info@npfc.org.uk or visit linktr.ee/npfc for more information on how you can support us. Any other support i.e., sponsorships, kits or even equipment is always welcomed and highly appreciated so please get in touch!
I’m also happy to answer any questions you may have about me or the sport of powerchair football in the comments below or over email via ‘info@dynamicdouble.co.uk’, so don’t be afraid to ask!
Please consider supporting my blog too as all support goes towards helping me grow and continue to share content with you all!
