The Wheelchair Football Association (WFA) are delighted to announce global pharmaceutical company, PTC Therapeutics, as our lead partner for the association on an initial one-year agreement. 

As part of the relationship, PTC Therapeutics will also become the lead sponsor for the WFA National League.

With immediate effect, divisions in the WFA’s National League structure will be known as the PTC Therapeutics Premiership, and the PTC Therapeutics Championship. PTC will also become the official sponsor of the WFA National League play-offs, scheduled for July 15^th, 2023.

PTC Therapeutics are an established global biopharmaceutical company that delivers transformative therapies for people living with rare diseases. For 25 years, PTC have been harnessing their scientific platforms to create new therapies that address the underlying cause of the disease.

PTC are committed to providing access to best-in-class treatments for patients with little to no treatment options. This mission underpins their focus on the discovery, development, and global commercialisation of clinically differentiated medicines for those with rare diseases.

WFA National Development Manager, Adam McEvoy, said: 

“I am absolutely delighted that The WFA have secured a new lead partner for the association and national league. This highlights how the sport is continuing to grow in stature and profile and is an exciting new progression for The WFA. PTC Therapeutics do many brilliant things for people with rare conditions, and it is a great link to bring two organisations from different fields who actively support people with high levels of physical impairment, together to strengthen their respective goals.”

PTC Therapeutics’ Senior Director, Marketing – UK & Ireland, Karen Hobdell, said:

“At PTC, we are committed to improving the lives of people with rare diseases. Sport and physical activity can support individuals who are affected in many ways, and we are very excited to be able to partner with The Wheelchair Football Association and make a valuable contribution towards access and inclusion in sport. “

For more information on PTC Therapeutics, visit their website: https://www.ptcbio.co.uk

Today, The Wheelchair Football Association (The WFA), are asking our community to ‘Unite For Access.’

An estimated 22% of the UK population are disabled, making disabled people the largest minority group in the UK. Still, many disabled sports fans feel that attending live sports is not possible, due to the environmental and societal barriers that disabled football fans face, which make matchdays inaccessible. 

The most recent Level Playing Field Fan survey found that 28.5% of disabled sports fans considered the attitudes of others to be a barrier when attending live sport, and over a quarter of disabled fans, 36.5%, said they are unable to attend certain sports or sporting venues due to lack of accessibility.

Today The WFA are proud to participate in Level Playing Field’s new national campaign, ‘Unite For Access’ – a celebration of accessibility and inclusion for disabled sports fans. 

Level Playing Field is the leading charity advocating for disabled sports fans in England and Wales, and our dedicated ‘Unite For Access’ day is one of many happening up and down the country over two weeks.

As an Association dedicated to enhancing opportunities for individuals with physical impairments, we believe that all people should be able to attend live sports, regardless of disability. 

We know that talking about disability can be daunting sometimes; it’s a complex subject matter. That’s why we invite all supporters, disabled and non-disabled, to engage with us on this important campaign and to ensure access and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do.

If you want to know more about the work of Level Playing Field, please visit www.levelplayingfield.org.uk, or find them across social media by searching Level Playing Field. 

It is with great sadness and shock that we have to write these words. We are all devastated by the news that Steve Baxter passed away on January 1st.

Steve was an integral part of the sport of powerchair football. Not just for the many roles he performed, but as a friend, colleague, voice of experience and a man of great integrity. His commitment and dedication to powerchair football saw him take on numerous roles within the sport. Known by most as a well-respected match official, Steve worked hard and was often under the radar in supporting many other aspects of the game.

As a match official, Steve was respected globally through his roles with The WFA and EPFA, where he trained and developed match officials throughout England and across Europe. As a FIPFA official and more recently as EPFA’s Head of Refereeing, Steve supported countless international tournaments, guiding and mentoring aspiring international referees with distinction.

Steve was crucial in establishing powerchair football activity across the South East of England over more than a decade. He supported the foundations of Brighton & Hove Albion PFC in Sussex, before establishing provision in Hampshire with Solent PFC (formerly Warsash Wasps & Portsmouth PFC) and most recently, shared his knowledge and experience to guide families with the creation of Surrey-based Farnham PFC.

Since its formulation in 2014, Steve operated as the Chairperson of the South East Powerchair Football League (SEPFL), a period of service that has enabled hundreds of players to experience, learn and develop their abilities within our game. Working closely with Himesh Shah as League Treasurer, Steve helped source vital funds to ensure the competition’s sustainability and together supported the SEPFL becoming a charity. Now one of England’s largest regional league competitions, the SEPFL supports 14 teams and more than 70 players of all ages and experience levels.

Steve also supported the administration of the game nationally, stepping in to fill the role of WFA Secretary when the organisation was in need. Initially a temporary appointment, he remained with The WFA for over six years. In a position which involved handling some complex and challenging issues, Steve’s calm demeanour and sensible, respectful attitude ensured he fulfilled the role with great skill and always worked in the best interests of the sport – a hallmark of the person Steve was.

Steve’s loss will be felt by many parts of the powerchair community. A man of astounding principle, fairness and dedication, Steve also leaves us with memories filled with laughter and fun. His proudest moment in the sport undoubtedly came when he supported his son Gregg to make his debut for England at the EPFA Nations Cup 2019, before becoming a European Champion.

The role of a ‘player parent’ is an underestimated one in the sport, and Steve’s dedication to Gregg shows the love he had for his family. We join with EPFA and FIPFA to send Jacquie, Gregg, Amy, Danielle, and the wider Baxter family our heartfelt condolences.

by Ryan Sipple

Every year, December 3rd represents International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD), a day dedicated to highlighting the challenges faced and the obstacles overcome by the millions of people worldwide living with a disability.

At The Wheelchair Football Association (WFA), celebrating diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values and we are unequivocally committed to providing inclusive opportunities for people to access the sport of powerchair football. 

This IDPWD, we want to showcase Farnham PFC – England’s newest powerchair football club, providing far-reaching disability football opportunities in the county of Surrey. 

Upon moving to Surrey in late 2019, Hannah Grieg acknowledged the lack of powerchair football opportunities in Surrey, explaining that the nearest activity was Reading, Portsmouth or Crystal Palace, all of which were equally challenging to access. Getting in contact with The WFA, Hannah explained that her 9-year-old son had played powerchair football occasionally with the Jorvik Warriors in York and how beneficial the social and sporting elements were to him. She explained that “travelling for over an hour to access training just wasn’t possible”.

Following the lengthy disruption to football caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, opportunities for disabled people to access sports in Surrey were limited, so Hannah wanted to explore the possibility of creating a powerchair football club within the area.  With liaison and guidance from The WFA, Hannah introduced Andrew Hall to the project, who brought a wealth of knowledge, having coached football locally for many years.

Andrew’s invaluable advice helped guide the project and formulate a working plan to establish provision. An essential step in that plan was enlisting the assistance of the local County Football Association. In this instance, Surrey County FA’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Eve Roberts, played a crucial role.

Steps were then taken to gauge local interest, locate equipment and identify a suitable venue for The WFA to deliver a taster session. Despite having stringent COVID-19 restrictions in place, the initial festival delivered in July 2021 was an overwhelming success. Three further festivals supported by The WFA in August 2021, November 2021 and March 2022 helped shift the narrative from singular powerchair football opportunities to the foundation of a thriving club. Following these sessions, with the assistance of Eve Roberts, a committee structure was established with roles for willing volunteers.

Adam McEvoy, WFA National Development Manager, said:

“Farnham PFC are the perfect example of how a powerchair club can flourish and grow in a relatively short time.

By creating a solid club structure, utilising willing parents and working with local partners, the Club has grown from strength to strength thanks to everyone’s collective efforts. From nothing to securing a venue, equipment, and funding, Farnham are now competing in their local regional league in less than 18 months, which is fantastic. We are confident that the Club will continue to provide excellent opportunities for people in Surrey for years to come.”

Since her initial enquiry, Hannah, Andrew & Eve have been key drivers in creating Farnham PFC. Currently serving as the Club’s Welfare Officer, Hannah is responsible for managing and reporting safeguarding concerns and putting procedures in place to safeguard people at the Club. Eve operates as the Farnham PFC’s Chairperson, overseeing the Club Committee and assisting in securing grants, and Andrew is Club Treasurer, responsible for organising the Club’s Constitution, Bank Account, and general finance. 

Ryan Sipple, WFA National Development Officer, said: 

“Despite the significant disruption caused to disability football by the COVID-19 pandemic, the collective effort of everyone at Farnham PFC has demonstrated the cohesive power that football has to bring people back together. 

Help and guidance from surrounding teams and players have supported Farnham with coaching, funding and equipment, showcasing the very best of the powerchair football community. A particular thank you is owed to Steve Baxter, Gregg Baxter, Tom Kelly & Bobby Williams, who have all supported Farnham PFC over the last 18 months.”

Sue Barnley, Farnham PFC Club Secretary, said:

“We struggled to find an inclusive sport that my son Harry could participate in. Having heard about a  Farnham-based Powerchair Football Festival in July 2021, we immediately got involved and have loved it ever since. Now, we have weekly training sessions with eight other people who regularly attend. Most of our players haven’t had an opportunity to participate in a team sport before, so it’s amazing to see them all coming together and improving week after week.”

Since Sue’s introduction to powerchair football, she has worked tirelessly to support the establishment and growth of the club. As well as being a player parent, Sue is the Club’s Secretary. Within this role, she carries out and delegates all the administrative duties that enable the Club and its members to function effectively. Sue has also played a vital role in locating a suitable, accessible venue to train as well as working to secure critical funds and grants.

This invaluable work helped Farnham PFC secure funding from the National Lottery, enabling the Club to set up secure storage facilities for its powerchairs within the school where training takes place. For more information about their recent National Lottery funding, read the article below: 

https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/life-changing/project-farnham-powerchair-football-club

Tom Barnley, another key figure at the Club, plays a key role in maintaining and managing all of the sports-specific powerchairs used in the sport. This involves general maintenance, ensuring all the chairs are charged, operational and safe to use. When competing at the South East Powerchair Football League, Tom drives the van, which collects all powerchairs from their secure storage, transports them to the League venue and returns them after.  

Farnham PFC currently has a live Go Fund Me Page dedicated to raising funds towards equipment, venue hire and chair transportation. For more information or to donate, visit the link below: 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/farnham-powerchair-football-club-startup-campaign

This funding has allowed Farnham PFC to deliver weekly training sessions. Training is held every Saturday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Farnham Heath End School, Hale Reeds, Farnham GU9 9BN. Coaching is delivered by Dave Howard, Farnham PFC Captain and Kelly May, a Teaching Assistant at Heath End School.

Barney – Farnham PFC Player:

“I love Powerchair football – it’s so nice not to be the only one in a wheelchair, and I really like being in a team. I’m improving and look forward to going to train every weekend!”

Siri – Player Parent:

“Barney has been playing Powerchair football for about six months now. It’s been fantastic for him to partake in a team sport. Before this, he was the token mascot or cheerleader- now he’s fully involved. It’s been great for building key skills such as teamwork and communication. It’s been great seeing him grow in confidence.

I love attending the league matches – it’s truly inclusive and diverse with players of all ages, disabilities and genders playing together.”

Becky – Player Parent:

“Archie only started powerchair football earlier this year and as one of the team’s youngest members. We thought it might take him a while to settle in, however, he has taken to it so quickly and to see his beaming face every time he plays is incredible. Archie has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, so he rarely has the opportunity to play team sports competitively; powerchair football has changed this entirely. He now trains and competes with similarly abled people in an incredibly supportive environment; for him and us, this means the world.”

To support Farnham PFC or get in touch, follow the links below:

The South East Powerchair Football League (SEPFL) has been running since 2013 and is the second-largest regional league in the country. The SEPFL has around 70 players in 14 teams across the South East of England, with clubs stretching from Bournemouth to Norwich.

We are delighted to announce several award sponsorship opportunities at The Wheelchair Football Association’s (WFA) 2023 End of Season Awards evening. This highly-anticipated event will celebrate the incredible achievements from our 2022/23 season. 

Taking place on Saturday, July 15th, in the Toyota Suite at Derby County FC’s Pride Park Stadium, our awards evening promises to be a night of excitement and celebration, with a range of prestigious awards up for grabs. 

The Wheelchair Football Association is delighted to announce Skiggle as one of our National League pitchside sponsors for the 2021/22 season.

The only charity of its kind in the UK, Skiggle gives people round-the-clock access to disability care products and equipment, providing help & support when it is urgently needed. Skiggle’s growing charity has a community of individuals across the UK who are willing to help others by providing and sharing consumables and equipment in times of need. So whether you’re running out of specialist feed, continence products or suction catheters, Skiggle has a passionate community ready and willing to come to your aid. 

Charity Development Manager at Skiggle, Helen Taylor, said: “We’re really excited to kick off this partnership with the WFA. Skiggle is a great fit for the Powerchair Football Community, and we welcome the opportunity to introduce more people to the charity and increase our reach across the UK. This will allow us to provide our services to a larger audience and to be there to help more people when they need it most.

“Not only will the Skiggle branding be visible to all players, coaches, parents, and carers attending the matches, it will also reach those people watching the matches from home on the WFA’s social channels.

“Our values are similar to the WFA in that life comes before a disability and we’re passionate about people with disabilities being able to enjoy the same quality of life as anyone else. That’s ultimately why we started Skiggle and that’s what drives us every day to continue to build, invest in, and believe in our unique charity.”

WFA National Development Officer, Ryan Sipple said: “We’re delighted to announce Skiggle as one of our National League’s Pitchside Sponsors. Skiggle are an incredible Charity that strive to provide people with round-the-clock access to disability care products and equipment.”

The Skiggle website connects to an emergency SOS alert system where members can put out a call for urgently needed care essentials. Completely free of charge, Skiggle facilitates and filters each request out to members within the closest geographical area to the SOS in the hope that someone can provide help from their own surplus supply of disability care products.

The Emergency SOS service is one of the key ways that Skiggle offer support for disabled individuals, carers and families.

The Skiggle online marketplace is a safe, fully regulated place where disability and care products can be rehomed and distributed free of charge, and larger items can be bought and sold appropriately. 

Skiggle can also help with wanted items; post your advert for all members to see. Skiggle offers support for disabled adults, children, carers, and families. They also provide support to those living with cancer, dementia, autism as well as veterans.

Looking for advice or support? While there are charities that help disabled adults, the Skiggle Facebook forum is a popular and friendly space where families and carers can chat, ask questions, and recommend products and services to each other.

The Wheelchair Football Association would like to extend a huge congratulations to Frome Falcons PFC, Jenny Rutter and Cath McNicol for their respective achievements at the 2021 England Football and McDonald’s Grassroots Awards.

The England Football and McDonald’s Grassroots Awards are for people who make a positive difference. It’s to celebrate those who put their heart and soul into the grassroots game across England. The awards are split into ten different categories which anybody can nominate through the online nomination portal. County FAs select a local winner for each section from the public’s nominations. These form a shortlist for our national winners, awarded by a National Judging Panel. 

The South West the club were recognised as the ‘Grassroots Club of the Year’ for their work on inclusivity, community and growth

Frome Falcons are the first and only Powerchair club within Somerset that provide a shining light on the diverse ranges of disability football we have within the county of Somerset.

The club has grown from strength to strength over the years with the club now having to incorporate a waiting list for players to be able to come and play. Jenny Rutter, Alex Johnson and all of the parent volunteers are a fantastic team of dedicated, passionate and enthusiastic individuals making this Frome Falcons a beacon for disability football within Somerset.

In addition to the club award, the Falcons’ Head Coach, Jenny Rutter, was also presented as the ‘Disability Coach of the Year’.

Jenny does a tremendous amount of work, not only Frome Falcons but also the Powerchair Football landscape within the entire region. She has demonstrated time and time again how important Powerchair is, offering unique opportunities to those who thought that football wasn’t necessarily an option for them to take part in.

From starting and developing Frome Falcons to recently becoming Chair of the South West Powerchair Football League, Jenny has become a reliable, caring cornerstone of Powerchair Football.

On receiving the awards at a training session last month, Jenny said: “It was such a surprise to be presented with not one but two awards in front of all our members. Our committee have worked so hard to expand Frome Falcons so that as many people can be playing the sport of powerchair football as possible. These awards are for the players, coaches, volunteers, committee members and parents/PA’s that make up our football family. We are all so pleased and would like to thank Nick Hawkins and Somerset FA for their recognition”.

“Cath McNicol is a very worthy winner of the North Riding FA Grassroots Football Volunteer Award 2021. The application we received for Cath clearly highlighted her passion for the game she loves so much.

Cath shows all the values we look for in an Awards winner, demonstrating inclusivity, determination and respect. Without individuals like Cath, there would be no grassroots football; she is a real hero of the game.”

The Muscle Help Foundation are a small multi-award winning, family-centred charity delivering virtual experiences in the UK that empower called ‘Muscle Dreams’ for children & young people (8-28yrs) with the muscle-wasting disease, Muscular Dystrophy (MD).

The launchpad for The Muscle Help Foundation (MHF) charity was a standalone project called pole2pole – an ambitious goal was set to journey to both the North & South Poles, two of the most extreme & inaccessible places on earth, with the aim to raise awareness & funds for Muscular Dystrophy. Michael and his expedition team reached the North Pole in April 2002 and the South Pole in January 2004. In so doing, Michael made history by becoming the first disabled person in the world to successfully lead expeditions to both Poles. What makes this achievement all the more remarkable is that in 1984, aged just 18yrs, Michael was himself diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy – today, he is a full-time powerchair user.

Rooted in the idea that well-executed, shared experiences can be powerfully transformative, Muscle Help Foundation delivers what it calls Muscle Dreams for children, young people and young adults (8-28yrs) in the UK with the muscle-wasting conditions and allied neuromuscular conditions – these highly-personalised, restorative experiences are uplifting, joyful and often cathartic.

Muscle Help Foundation is a small, multi-award-winning, family-centred charity with a national reach. It has a singular focus to deliver 657 Muscle Dreams, that’s one life-changing experience for every muscle in the human body.