What an exciting perspective with this draw result which should give some big matchups from the beginning to the end. USA, current world champion, will face Japan, England, Switzerland and Portugal in Pool A while France will play against Belgium, Ireland, Canada and Australia.

More information, videos and reactions after the draw available soon on this website!

EXCLUSIVE PICTURES OF THE WORLD CUP DRAW

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EXCLUSIVE VIDEO OF THE WORLD CUP DRAW

This level of sports media exposure was a promise made in the French Handisport Federation bid to host the world’s top ten Powerchair national teams. Beyond the symbolism, the presence of the former ’80s French Blues player, who now heads up European football, shows off the rise of Powerchair Football in the great international football family. 8 September 2011 will mark an important date in the early history of the FIPFA World Cup, as from that date, the 2011 FIPFA World Cup competing nations will know their first opponents in the initial phase of the competition.

The Federation Internationale de Powerchair Football Association has also announced there are a few new conditions for organization of the draw, which will result then the entire sports program of the World Cup. For the first draw in the history of the FIPFA World Cup, in Japan in 2007, all the teams competed in the first round in a single pool. That will change in Paris.  FIPFA Head of Sport Adam Parry has to compose two pools of five teams. The top two teams advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for 4 November 2011, in the evening.

Also announced now are the names of the four countries seeded in the draw, selected based on their results at the World Cup in Japan in 2007. Thus, the United States, World Champions seeded 1, will face Japan, seeded four, in their pool. France, finalists in 2007, will face Belgium, bronze medal in Tokyo, in their pool. The other six countries (Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, Portugal and Switzerland) will therefore be drawn to know the full composition of the pools.

The pure hands of Michel Platini and Emmanuel Petit will be the subject of much attention on September 8 at about 19:30, the hearts of players and fans of Powerchair Football will be beating intensely!

No less than 30 players, beginners or experts, and five potential referees participated in the three days of practice, including workshops around the basic exercises (control of the chair and the ball, rotating, basic tactics, understanding the Regulations). Demonstration matches between FIPFA Barbarians and Australian selections took place.

The Australians, already technically efficient despite their being new to Powerchair Football, were able to benefit from the expertise of FIPFA instructors to perfect their game, just days before the first national championship.

They are focusing exclusively on the next World Cup in Paris (2 to 6 November 2011) where the Australians will make their first appearance on the international scene. And they may well surprise many opponents, given that the Wallabies won over the hearts of their trainers when playing in Sydney during this training week.

The APFA and its charismatic President Matthew Cross – who is no stranger to the runaway success of Powerchair Football in Australia - can be proud of having won their bet through this training event: to attract so many players and attract so many political personalities to stand behind their sports team. The Honourable Graham ANNESLY, Member of Parliament of New South Wales and Minister for Sport and Recreation was present at the opening ceremony of the national tournament, and the Honourable Natasha MCLAREN-JONES, Member of the Government New South Wales, watch the inaugural demonstration game. These high-profile supporters witness to the rising value of our sport in Australia. Also present throughout the week constantly alongside the players was the indefatigable Rale Rasic, former coach of the Australian men’s football national squand and now the Patron of this outstanding national team Powerchair Football. He is already proving to be a passionate ambassador. With it, Australia aims to move mountains.

Let the party continue in the heart of Geneva and looking forward to a beautiful and exciting Swiss championship in 2012!

The money means that the WFA can now begin preparations for the big tournament in France this October and Capello commented: “I wish the England Powerchair team much success in Paris and hope that the players enjoy and learn from this tournament experience.”

FA Chairman, David Bernstein, added: “I’m delighted that this grant will help England compete at an international tournament and help raise the profile of Powerchair Football in this country and around the world.”

“We have a long term aim of football for all at The FA and remain committed to providing football opportunities for disabled players.”

The FIPFA World Cup 2011 will take place in Paris, France from the 30^th October until 7^th November 2011. Powerchair Football is a relatively young sport and will be considered for possible inclusion in the Paralympics by the International Paralympic Committee in 2020.

The FA runs eight disability teams with both the Blind and Cerebral Palsy squads playing under the Great Britain banner at London 2012 next summer. The England Powerchair football squad met Fabio Capello and his senior side at Wembley ahead of the friendly against Ghana in March and Head Coach, Allen Harrison, commented: “This donation by the FA is fantastic.  It will not only enable us to attend the World Cup in October but will ensure that the squad can have the best preparation in our quest to perform well at the pinnacle event for Powerchair Football“.

Ricky Stevenson, WFA Chairperson commented “The WFA National Team provides all our players with the inspiration to train hard and progress within the sport.  This support and recognition by the FA shows that the sport of Powerchair Football is developing and we are confident that our team will do the country proud.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Football Association on behalf of the WFA and everyone involved in Powerchair Football in England“.

Few weeks ago, late December 2010, FIPFA has formatted the last version of Official Rules and Regulation document of Powerchair Football.

Please find below the full text version or focus yourself only on the different changes compilated on the Ammendments For Changes document.

Powerchair Football_Laws of the Game Approved October 2010

Ammendments to the Laws of the Game 2010

FIPFA was also represented in Guangzhou by its Asia Zone President; Hiroshi Takahashi. “Our eyes are on the thousands of athletes here for the Asian Paralympic Games. Many of those competing are also quite familiar with Power Soccer (Powerchair Football) and play it already. I hope one day soon we can see our exciting sport widely appreciated in the Paralympic Movement.”

The FIPFA bid document was reviewed by the International Paralympic Committee Governing Board at its meeting in Guangzhou, China at the start of the Asian Paralympic Games. There were many strong points to the bid, but apparently not enough to push through Powerchair Football as the first electric wheelchair Paralympic Sport. Several thousand athletes with severe and multiple impairments who use an electric wheelchair for their daily living take part in this team sport around the world.

For more information, please visit IPC website.

“Can I firstly pass on my thanks to all players who attended the numerous training camps which took place over the past twelve months. I have had the pleasure of working with over twenty players throughout the trials and have been impressed with you all. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the parents and carers for giving up their time to allow and support the players to attend the camps. I must also give a special thanks to the WFA Executive Committee, who provided the funds and support to enable the trial weekends to happen.

I would like to announce the following players whom have been selected to become a training squad of ten players who will begin the team preparations and work towards securing a final selection for a 2011 FIPFA World Cup place:

The hard work now begins as we need to secure a sponsor to enable the team to compete in the 2011 World Cup in Paris.

I must stress that this will not necessarily be the squad which will travel and compete at the World Cup, as we will be constantly be monitoring players performances over the remainder of the season and during training camps as we prepare for the World Cup competition.

The squad will meet at training camps (Venues to be confirmed) on:

Can I finally take this opportunity to wish all players, coaches, parents and volunteers a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

See you all in February 2011″

Allen Harrison
WFA National Head team Coach

With WFA Website news

The Premiership saw some big games and some big results. Aspire PFC picked up tight victories against rivals Northern Thunder and Aspire 2 to pull away at the top of the league and remain undefeated. Sporting Albion leapfrogged local rivals Villa into 3rd and will now try and push on to break the top 2. Celtic Storm look to have weathered their poor start to the season and unleashed some of their best football this weekend, picking up their first 5 points of the season and closing the gap to 3 points at the bottom.

The Championship saw Thunder Blues and Notts PFC continue their good form at the top with an undefeated weekend for both. The Blues have the advantage at the moment but with matches still left to play the title chase looks to be the most competitive in years. Invicta will be hoping to gain some much needed luck in the New Year and aim to gain their first points of the season.

The League One title race is really picking up pace with 3 teams making a mid season charge to assert their title intentions. Bolton are still clinging to top spot but only on goal difference to a wave of Celtic 2 pressure. Percy Panthers are lurking in the background ready to pounce on the top 2 and are ready to cash in on their game in hand. Just 2 points separate the top 3 in this very competitive league.

All the WFA management committee would like to wish all its players, coaches and parents a very happy Christmas and see you in the New Year for even more high quality fast pace Powerchair action!

with WFA website news

FINAL

-> Atlanta Synergy – Tampa Thunder: 4-0 (ENDED)

THIRD PLACE

-> Atlanta Tigers – San Jose Steamrollers: 0-5 (ENDED)

CONSOLATION GAMES

-> Vancouver Lightening – Okanagan: 5-0 (ENDED)

-> North Shore Eagles – Courage Blizzards: 0-2 (ENDED)

SEMI-FINALS

-> Atlanta Synergy – Atlanta Tigers: 8-0 (ENDED)

->San Jose Steamrollers – Tampa Thunder: 0-1 (ENDED)

QUARTER FINALS

->Atlanta Tigers – North Shore Eagles: 3-0 (ENDED)

->Tampa Thunder – Vancouver Lightening: 3-0 (ENDED)

->Atlanta Synergy – Courage Blizzards: 6-0 (ENDED)

->San José Steamrollers- Okanagan: 3-0 (ENDED)