Powerchair Football Competitive Debut

Hull and East Riding’s first powerchair football team, the Electric Eels, are preparing to make their competitive debut in April this year as they join the North East Powerchair Football League.

The side, consisting of young male and female disabled people between the ages of eight to 19, has only been in existence since last year but has already attracted a number of youngsters who are keen to get involved in sport, following the London Paralympics last year.

Played with a 33cm ball, powerchair football is a 4-a-side game for players of all ages and abilities.  Two teams battle it out against each other by scoring goals using their powerchair to move the ball around.  Powerchairs are fitted with special guards to protect players when they collide.

Get Involved

Having had only five training sessions since they were formed, the Eels are aiming to make their competitive debut at a tournament organised by the Wheelchair Football Association in Middlesbrough on 6th April.  In preparation the team will be having training sessions every second Saturday from now until the start of the tournament.

Team member, Kai Gill, comments: “I think powerchair football is a fantastic sport so when the chance came to play for the Electric Eels I didn’t hesitate to join the team.

“At the first session I met so many inspirational people and I’ve really enjoyed all our training sessions.  It’s great to see everyone play as a team and support each other.”

Kai continued: “We’re really excited to be making our competitive debut.  Hopefully joining the powerchair football league will raise the profile of our team and more young people with a disability in the Hull area will be encouraged to try the sport.  I’d like to see more people join the club and help put Hull on the map for powerchair football.”

Powerchairs don’t come cheap so the team is always on the look out for sponsorship and fundraising ideas.  If you would like to help them or are interested in joining the team, contact the club manager, Andy Fox, on 07778 321618.

Allied Mobility is please to support the Electric Eels powerchair team.

Check out a video of the team in training here – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBDKbJIr_c0&feature=player_embedded#!