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National League – Overview

The Wheelchair Football Association’s national league was established for the 2005-06 season, with six teams competing at three-weekend events. The WFA has worked with the FA to develop the sport and provide a complete player pathway from grassroots participation to national league competition and international selection.

Now in its 17th season, the national league competition comprises Premiership and Championship divisions with 24 teams competing over 11 weekends. The national competition structure is supported by six regional league competitions and a play-off process which sees teams promoted and relegated within the pyramid.

The Premiership is the top division of the National League and is made up of twelve competing teams. The league operates on a round-robin format, with each team playing each other twice over the course of the season. The team with the most points at the end of the season is crowned the league champions. The bottom two teams are automatically relegated to the Championship.

The Championship is the second tier of the National League and is also composed of twelve teams. The league operates on the same round-robin format as the Premiership. At the end of the season, the top two teams are promoted to the Premiership. The team that finishes 3rd is drawn into a one-game play-off fixture against the team that finishes 10th in the Premiership, the winner confirms their position in the top tier of National League football for the following season. 

In addition to the Premiership and Championship, there are also Regional Leagues that provide opportunities for teams to compete at a lower level. These leagues are structured geographically and are designed to give players from all parts of the country the opportunity to play powerchair football at a competitive level.

Overall, the WFA National League in England is a highly competitive league that provides players with the opportunity to showcase their skills and compete at a high level. With the support of PTC Therapeutics, the league is poised to continue growing and providing opportunities for players with disabilities to excel in sports.

The partnership between PTC Therapeutics and The Wheelchair Football Association is focused on raising awareness of the benefits of adaptive sports and promoting the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in sports. PTC Therapeutics is committed to supporting initiatives that improve the lives of patients and families affected by rare diseases, and the partnership with the National League structure is an important part of this commitment.

PREMIERSHIP

CHAMPIONSHIP