Sydney FC introduce first Community Powerchair Football Program

Avatar
Sydney FC
Image provided by Sydney FC

Sydney FC’s Foundation has officially debuted a first-of-its-kind Community Powerchair Football Program.

The initiative saw nine young children and adults with disabilities given the opportunity to experience the world of Powerchair Football for the very first time and were joined by Sydney FC A-Leagues stars Rhyan Grant, Elvis Kamsoba and Charlotte McLean for the two-day clinic at Valentine Sports Park, with Sydney FC’s Powerchair team attending on Day 2.

The Program has been funded by the generosity of the donors and sponsors of The Sydney FC Foundation Dinner and is expected to be carried forward each year.

Haley and Mitch McLean’s daughter, Ruby, took part in their first Powerchair clinic and were thrilled by the experience.

“The Sydney FC Foundation Powerchair Clinic did not disappoint,” Haley said via Sydney FC.

“I’ve got so many thoughts and emotions that are impossible to articulate adequately, she had an absolute ball.

“The whole thing was so well done from the location, the staff, the team, the session, and equipment but most importantly the people.”

Sydney FC Powerchair Head Coach Jason Ryan conducted the sessions which consisted of shooting, dribbling and game-play and was impressed with the players and the initiative.

“I had such a great time delivering this development program,” he said via Sydney FC.

“The excitement that the young people brought to the court was infectious and stayed with us until the very end.

“Watching everyone engage with the football and each other was so rewarding.

“I look forward to more clinics and the opportunity to introduce more people to the sport.”

The Sydney FC Foundation will continue to organise and host multiple Powerchair Football holiday clinics across 2022 and 2023.

Powerchair Football is a modified version of football (soccer) for wheelchair and powerchair users.

The sport is played on a basketball court between two teams of 4, including the goalkeeper.

More information can be found at the Australian Powerchair Football Association – https://www.apfa.org.au/

 

Previous ArticleNext Article

Chelsea and Tottenham Arrive in Sydney as Premier League Giants Launch Australian Pre-Season Tour

Avatar
Image Credit: Chelsea FC

Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have touched down in Sydney ahead of their pre-season tour of Australia for the Sydney Super Cup. Both clubs have wasted little time settling into life in Sydney, beginning preparations for a busy week of training sessions, fan events and pre-season fixtures.

The London rivals will each face A-League opposition before meeting meeting in the marquee fixture of the tour at Accor Stadium, bringing two of England’s biggest clubs to Australian shores as they build towards the 2026-27 Premier League season.

For Chelsea, the tour represents the first opportunity for supporters to see new manager Xabi Alonso lead the Blues. Meanwhile, Spurs fans will be eager to see improvements from Roberto De Zerbi’s men following their narrow escape from relegation last season.

Chelsea will open their tour against Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday 28 July, while Tottenham will face Sydney FC on Wednesday 29 July, before the clubs meet in the headline fixture of the tour on Saturday 1 August.

The clash will mark the first time the London rivals have faced each other outside the UK. The tour is another sign of Australia’s growing stature as a destination for elite European clubs during the northern hemisphere off-season

With Chelsea and Tottenham among the Premier League’s biggest global brands, the fixtures are expected to attract strong crowds and give Australian football fans a rare opportunity to watch top-flight English footballers in person.

The tour will also feature the Chelsea Women’s team, which will take on the A-League Women’s All Stars in a showcase fixture on Wednesday 12 August.

Football Victoria marks World Autism Understanding Month with Expanded Inclusion Program

Avatar
Image Credit: Football Victoria

Football Victoria has marked World Autism Understanding Month with a series of practical inclusion initiatives delivered in partnership with Aspect, reinforcing the governing body’s commitment to making football accessible for autistic participants across all levels of the game.

The partnership, now in its second year, has moved beyond awareness into structural change. Environmental assessments have been completed across multiple programs and match days, including at Collingwood City FC and the All-Abilities League match day at Northcote City FC. Each assessment identifies accessibility barriers and provides concrete inclusion principles integrated into the physical and operational realities of football environments.

Ahead of the 2025 Football For All Gala Day, Aspect conducted an environmental assessment of The Home of the Matildas, informing the development of a Visual Story designed to help participants with autism understand the venue and event before arriving. The same approach has been applied to FV’s GO Camps program, giving participants and families the information they need to engage with confidence.

Aspect has also delivered multiple education sessions for coaches throughout the partnership, with a dedicated session for referees held on April 20, the first of its kind, extending autism understanding across match officials and into all parts of the game day experience.

Football Victoria has also joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Initiative, with training and education to be rolled out across the organisation in the coming months, strengthening its capacity to recognise and support participants with non-visible disabilities.

The initiatives reflect a recognition that access to sport is not guaranteed by an open registration form. For many participants with autism and their families, the barriers are environmental, informational and social; and removing them requires sustained investment in education, assessment and design.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend