Powerchair soccer is gaining in popularity as more disabled wheelchair users take up the sport – and in Telford one club has been given a financial lifeline from a leading county firm.
The TTC Group (www.ttc-uk.com), national driver trainers from Telford, has sponsored Telford Powerchair FC giving the sports organisation financial stability for the first time since they started up in the town last year. Club chairman Julian Harrison said: “Having the financial stability means that this club will now be able to concentrate on giving disabled people, who thought competitive sport was beyond them, the chance to be part of a team. “This helps to raise their self esteem and achievement levels. It also impacts on their independence as it improves their co-ordination, cognitive and social skills.”
The TTC Group is meeting all the club’s costs for the next year and has provided new club shirts for the players. “We run a very successful business in Shropshire and enjoy helping well run organisations which need a helping hand. We hope Telford Powerchair FC goes from strength to strength,” said Jenny Wynn, MD of the TTC Group (left in picture) which runs courses across the country for drivers who commit motoring offences. The company aims to reduce casualties through educating motorists.
Lee Carter, chairman of AFC Telford, said: “We are extremely proud of our affiliation with Powerchair FC and are pleased to do whatever we can to offer support, advice, guidance or facilities to Julian Harrison and his team of outstanding volunteers. “We are also extremely grateful for the financial and moral support that the TTC Group continue to offer to all things connected with AFC Telford United including their support of this thriving project.
Telford Powerchair FC has 12 players who train on Friday evenings from 6pm to 8pm at Telford College in Wellington and who play regular matches in the Wheelchair FA Championship League and Birmingham Ability Counts League. They are backed by the Shropshire FA, AFC Telford Utd and Telford and Wrekin Council. Because of the club’s popularity, they are due to enter at least one additional team in next year’s leagues. “There has been a dramatic growth in the club with still a few months to go until the end of our first year. We already have eight new players and four players trying out the game with a view to joining which was beyond our earlier expectations,” said Julian.
The club, which has achieved Charter Standard, has bought five new Powerchairs from donations and fund raising events and have just been bought 2 new Powerchairs by Shropshire Cerebral Palsy Society.
New members should contact manager Andy Pike on 07837771883 or email telfordpfc@yahoo.co.uk or visit www.clubwebsite.co.uk/telfordpfc
Power Soccer was first played in France in the 1970’s and is now a worldwide sport for people with disabilities. The game is played on a regulation basketball court involving two teams of four players using powerchairs equipped with footguards to attack, defend and spin kick a 13 inch football into the opposition goal in two 20 minute sessions.
The Wheelchair FA work closely with the FA and football clubs to develop more clubs and playing opportunities across England.
For more information please contact club chairman Julian Harrison on 01902 843491, manager Andy Pike on 07837771883 or publicity co-ordinator Elaine Adams on 01952 505026.
