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The FA Regional & National Emerging Talent Programme

The FA disability football performance programme has a clear vision: to develop winning England teams.

The FA talent pathway for Powerchair Football was established in 2018 alongside The WFA, to support the identification and development of those with elite potential.

The aim of the programme is to support the transition of youth players within the WFA League structure through to the England Powerchair Senior Squad (enabled through the provision of a range of performance services provided to individual players, e.g. sports psychology, sports nutrition, etc.), to compete on the world stage.

Staff from the England Senior Squad, The WFA and The FA’s Para Football Talent Programme attend league dates to view players to assess their technical, physical, social and psychological traits. 

England talent days are delivered by the WFA and support development in areas of the country with little or no provision. Any players with potential seen here are encouraged to access regional league activity.

Regional Emerging Talent Programme

The Regional Emerging Talent Programme (RETP) for Powerchair Football is an initiative designed to identify and develop promising young players in the sport of powerchair football, with the aim of nurturing their skills and providing them with opportunities to progress to higher levels of competition. Organised by The FA and supported by The WFA, the programme involves a series of regional-based training camps.

Open to players between the ages of 12 and 21, participants are selected based on their potential to succeed in the sport, as well as their commitment to training and competition. Throughout the programme, players receive guidance from experienced powerchair football coaches and are exposed to a range of training drills and tactics designed to help them improve their skills and build their confidence on the pitch.

The aim of the Regional Programme is to provide an insight into life as an elite athlete and to try and replicate an elite environment for younger players, with up to 30 players in this programme across the North, Midlands and South.

Players demonstrating progress and potential in a Regional Emerging Talent programme are selected to be part of the National Emerging Talent programme.

Selection and Nomination Process

The selection process for the Regional Emerging Talent programme for Powerchair Football involves several stages designed to identify young players with the potential to excel in the sport. The process may vary slightly from region to region, but generally includes the following steps:

  1. Club Nomination: Potential participants are nominated by their respective clubs to participate in the programme. 
  2. Applications are reviewed by a selection committee, comprised of WFA and FA staff. The committee may consider factors such as the applicant’s age, ability, previous experience in powerchair football, and overall potential to succeed in the sport.
  3. Successful applicants are invited to attend one of the three RETPs.

Overall, the selection process is designed to be as inclusive and accessible as possible, with a focus on identifying and developing talent from diverse backgrounds and regions. While the competition for places in the programme may be strong, those who are selected will have the opportunity to receive top-class coaching and support, as well as the chance to represent their region at high-profile powerchair football events.

National Emerging Talent Programme

The National Emerging Talent Programme (NETP) for Powerchair Football is a development programme designed to identify and develop young athletes with the potential to represent their country in international powerchair football competitions. 

The NETP provides young players with access to specialised coaching, training, and development opportunities that can help them improve their skills and abilities in powerchair football. The programme typically involves regular training sessions and camps, as well as opportunities to compete in regional, national and international tournaments.

One of the key differences between the NETP and the Regional Emerging Talent Programme (RETP) is the scope of the programme. The NETP is typically run at the national level and is focused on identifying and developing players with the potential to represent their country in international competitions, whereas the RETP is typically run at the regional level and is focused on identifying and developing players who have the potential to progress to the national level.

Another difference between the two programmes is the level of support and resources provided to participants. The NETP is typically better resourced and provides more specialised coaching and training opportunities, whereas the RETP may have more limited resources and focus more on developing basic skills and introducing players to the pathway. 

Overall, both the NETP and RETP are important programmes for developing young talent in powerchair football, and they play an important role in ensuring that the sport continues to grow and thrive at all levels.

League football runs parallel to the FA Powerchair Talent pathway, as this continues to provide players with their regular football alongside their involvement within the pathway.