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Optegra Announced as 2024/25 National League Sponsor for The Wheelchair Football Association

We’re delighted to announce that Optegra Eye Health Care will be the official sponsor of the 2024/25 National League, supporting both the Premiership and Championship divisions.

This partnership is a significant milestone in The Wheelchair Football Association (WFA)‘s mission to develop Powerchair Football in England, aligning with our shared commitment to improving lives.

Through their sponsorship of The WFA National League, Optegra is extending its support to the Powerchair Football community, contributing to the league’s development and helping to create more opportunities for players with disabilities to compete.

Optegra, established in 2007, is a well-regarded eye care provider offering a variety of eye procedures across its 19 hospitals and clinics in the UK. As well as providing the latest vision correction technologies – from various laser eye surgery procedures to lens replacement and implantable contact lenses – Optegra also works closely with the NHS across England to provide cataract surgery to thousands within just a few weeks of referral, using the highest quality lenses.

The eye hospital group brings together leading-edge research, medical expertise, and state-of-the-art surgical equipment. Its top ophthalmic surgeons are renowned for their areas of expertise, offering excellent clinical outcomes and outstanding patient service.

The WFA National League, now approaching its 19th season, is the top level of Powerchair Football in England. The league has grown significantly since it began in the 2005-06 season and now features 24 teams in the Premiership and Championship divisions. The Premiership, the top tier, consists of 12 teams that compete in a round-robin format, playing each other twice during the season. The Championship operates in a similar manner and serves as the second tier of competition.

At the end of each season, the top two teams from the Championship are promoted to the Premiership, while the bottom two teams from the Premiership are relegated. A play-off match between the 3rd-placed team in the Championship and the 10th-placed team in the Premiership decides the final spot in the top division for the following season. The league structure is supported by six Regional Leagues, providing a pathway from grassroots participation to elite national competition.

The 2024/25 season of the National League will proudly be referred to as the Optegra National League, with the divisions officially named:

  • 2024/25 Optegra Premiership
  • 2024/25 Optegra Championship

Optegra’s involvement with The WFA’s National League aligns with its broader goal of improving lives. The partnership will help increase awareness of the benefits of adaptive sports and support the inclusion of people with disabilities in competitive activities. With Optegra’s support, The WFA National League is set to continue its growth, offering more players the chance to develop their skills and compete at the highest level.

Dean Williams, Chairperson of The WFA, added:

“My sincere thanks to Optegra for their wonderful commitment and support – it will have a significant impact on our aspirations to grow and, in turn, on those we serve. This is truly a meeting of shared values, and we are so proud to have Optegra with us. Welcome to the family.”

Mat Pickering, Managing Director of Optegra Eye Health Care, said:

“Having met the team at The WFA, it is clear that we share the same values and commitment to improving the lives of as many people as possible, in as many ways as possible. I am constantly aware of the vital role our hospitals and clinics play in their local communities, and we take that responsibility very seriously. And as we have recently opened an NHS cataract clinic in Nottingham, it is wonderful to support this local community, where The WFA’s National League is based. I am proud that we are able to support The WFA this season, and send good luck to all the teams.”

For more information on Optegra and its services, please visit: www.optegra.com

To learn more about The WFA’s National League, please visit: https://thewfa.org.uk/national-league/

To stay connected with Optegra across their various social media channels, please visit the links below:

    Optegra Eye Hospitals

    Optegra’s hospitals and clinics provide a modern, calm and comfortable environment in which our patients can feel relaxed and well cared for through a patient-led, personalised treatment plan.

    As centres of eye excellence, they offer facilities with the most advanced surgical and technical equipment. Each location is staffed by a professional clinical team with leading NHS-trained Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeons who are all Fellows of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. The Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) at each hospital ensures compliance with the best clinical practice.

    Locations:

    Optegra have dedicated eye hospitals across the country in the following locations: