Backingforgame

There have been calls to give more people across Scotland the chance to play powerchair football.

Bruce Crawford is backing the Scottish Powerchair Football Association and Riverside Powerchair Football Club in their calls for the Scottish Government and sportscotland to provide funding.

Powerchair football sees teams compete in the Scottish Powerchair

Football Association (SPFA) Leagues. Players can either compete by having special bumpers attached to their own wheelchairs or, for more serious competition, they can use specially modified sports Powerchairs that are faster and more responsive.

Scotland has six powerchair football clubs with nine teams, all of which are giving disabled people the chance to take part in football. Played by 4-a-side teams on a pitch roughly the size of a basketball court, the sport is open to powered wheelchair users and is currently the only team sport open to disabled athletes who use a powered chair. The SPFA used the opportunity of a stand outside the debating chamber in Holyrood to bring the sport to the attention of more MSPs.

After signing a pledge in Holyrood to support powerchair football in Scotland, Mr Crawford said: “The SPFA is doing great work in giving power wheelchair users in Scotland the opportunity to play football and to participate in a team sport has so many benefits; allowing players to compete locally, nationally and even internationally.

“Powerchair football allows people to develop skills, discipline and friendships as well as giving players a focus that benefits them both physically and mentally.”