From this demonstration players and coaches went back to their clubs with renewed enthusiasm to improve their clubs, improve the league structure and improve their skills with the hope that the next time they see their new friends from the EPFA would be on court representing their country.

Since this demonstration the Association of Irish Powerchair Football (AIPF) has been formed to govern the sport of Powerchair Football in the whole island of Ireland with the support of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) . We are currently in the second year of the national league which sees 8 teams from all around the country meet monthly. Along with the league the AIPF run an annual cup and shield competition which provides a good opportunity for newer clubs to play teams they may not play in the two tier league. Numbers are growing every month and teams are becoming more and more organised with many linking up with mainstream football clubs and availing of their support, facilities and expertise.

Just over two years after the EPFA/FIPFA demonstration the first Ireland Powerchair Football National training session will take place in January 2011 in preparation for the World Cup to be held in Paris in October 2011. A big fundraising drive has started nationally and top of the range chairs have been purchased by the Kingdom Rebels Club and while we are newer to the game than some of the more established nations we hope to surprise a few people and show what our boy and girls in green can do in Paris 2011.

Recent developments in the AIPF have seen a more professional structure with clearer roles and expectations for what is still a volunteer group. Sub committees have been formed to fund raise for the World Cup, look at the travel, logistics and look after the players. While looking at Paris 2011 the AIPF are committed to continuing developing and growing the sport all over the island of Ireland and are looking to spread the game to areas of the county that do not have a team. We aim to run a number demonstrations similar to the one provided by the EPFA in 2008 with our own national team players in the run up to the world cup. Development packs and coaching resources are being developed to help these new clubs get started. Irish Powerchair Football has come a long way in the past two years and we all look forward to seeing the best Irish players pit their skills against the worlds best at the World Cup!

With Liam McDonough

The workshop is a great opportunity for you to discover our game and so gain a basis to help get you started. If you cannot attend, look out for more feedback on the website.

For more information about this event, contact:

international@fipfa.org

communication@fipfa.org

Singapore FIPFA Instructional Wkshop_Information

The remarkable “Association of Help for Disabled Children in Zamość” called “Step-by-Step” hosts a club, as part of its holistic approach to the conductive education, health and development of disabled children and young people in the region. You can see their sports performance on the morning of Saturday, 5 December 2009 in the photo gallery slide show on the FIPFA home page, or you can go Step-by-Step .  Powerchair Football development is one of the many aspects of the technical cooperation ongoing between the Association in Zamość and the “The Percy Hedley Foundation” in the United Kingdom, a centre of excellence in Powerchair Football.

FIPFA President Herve Delattre and Secretary General Robert Thomson were invited by “Step-by-Step” founder Dr. Maria Krol. Maria and her assistant Kinga Rybczyńska organised an information session on the scope, purpose and related aspects of the growing sport of Powerchair Football at the time of a national Boccia gathering.  Thirty representatives and athletes from centres around the country attended the session, which was an opportunity to provide insight into Powerchair Football as a sport that is open to and widely played by athletes with the most severe physical impairments of both sexes and all ages. The short and informal session included the showing of the video introduction to FIFPA and the sport of Powerchair Football. The technical and institutional requirements of Powerchair Football were explained to the gathering of of the nine Polish centres. They were especially interested to hear about the new developments with regard to the Paralympic movement. Numerous questions were asked about who plays Powerchair Football, how integration goes with both male and female athletes, younger and older, with severe and often multiple impairments. Much discussion arose concerning adapting electrically powered wheelchairs in everyday use compared with especially designed sports chairs.

The meeting organisers gave a full description of the opportunities for disability sports and related disciplines in Poland. Clearly, the cost of acquiring a chair is relatively high in relation to purchasing in Poland, where there are many financial and social obstacles to integration.

Disability sport is only one of the many aspects of “Step-by-Step” – more interesting insights into its work have been recognized by an inter-governmental body.

FIPFA looks forward to greater involvement of Polish clubs and athletes in international competition, we will warmly welcome a Polish national organisation of power chair football into the activities of FIPFA.

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Over the 2 days the FIPFA delegates discussed Powerchair Football and the ways in which FIPFA could support Singapore with the intention of running a clinic later in the year.

Following the discussions the FIPFA delegates moved to the Handicap Welfare Association where they witnessed a Powerchair Football training session and passed on some hints and tips as well as helping to referee the game between the participants.

Further information can be found by visiting the following websites:

• Singapore Disability Sports Council
• Muscular Dystrophy Association (Singapore)
• Handicap Welfare Association

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• To define an international development program for Powerchair Football, incorporating all available FIPFA resources.
• To work closely with the NOPFs and the Regions, in order to appropriate promotional events; demonstrations, international player clinics, etc…

Fipfa promotional video

The Commission shall meet at least once every two months via a Skype conference. When this is not possible due to time differences, meetings with only certain member can take place.

The Commission shall meet at least once a year during the first three years. This meeting can take place during a FIPFA zone or world competition and shall develop a 4-year plan that will be updated every year.

The Commission shall update the Secretary General on a regular basis (at least after each meeting) who will forward this information to the Executive Council.

The budget for each year shall be developed and provided to the FIPFA Treasurer at the latest mid-December of the previous year. All expenses must be justified and signed by the President of the Commission.

Each Commission member shall provide the President a summary of their actions for the annual final update that will be forwarded to the Executive Council at the end of each year.

The Director of the Commission shall be in close contact with the Zone Presidents and their Development Head if appointed.

2008 – 2012 objectives:

In coordination with the General Secretary and the Communication Commission, the goal of the Development Commission is to create a variety of tools, materials, and processes designed enhance the expansion of Powerchair Football.

These resources will be available to the Zone Presidents as well as to any person soliciting the assistance of FIPFA during promotional events.

Goal: Finalize all said resources by the end of December 2008.

By the end of April 2008

1. Finalise, in coordination with the Communication Commission, the cover of the promotional DVD.
2. Finalise, in coordination with the Communication Commission, the FIPFA presentation leaflet.
3. Prepare guidelines that will carefully describe each promotional event and/or action offered by the FIPFA Development Commission.
4. Participate, in coordination with the Communication Commission, in the development of the new FIPFA website.
5. Finalise the guidelines for promotional events.

By the end of September 2008

• Once the EC has validated our proposals, distribution of the videos and leaflets to all countries that might be interested in the development of Powerchair football.

By the end of December 2008

• Finalize, in coordination with the Communication Commission, the content of the “Universal Info Kit”.

By the end of 2009

• Purchase materials for use during demonstrations: universal foot guards, foot guards from various wheelchair manufacturers, balls, goalposts, demo Powerchairs, universal info kit, speed testing kit …

By the end of 2012

• Organise one player’s clinic per zone per year starting in 2009.

• Promotional Video DVD
• Promotional leaflet
• Website
• Universal info kit
• Informational guidelines for promotional events

You are an affiliate member or an associate member? You need help, please use this form for a request.

• Form to request FIPFA support for a promotional event
  My Fieldset

  1. Your Name(required)
  2. Email(valid email required)
  3. Website
  4. Message

   

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Attendees:

• 1 representative of the Swiss Federation – Canton of Geneva
• 1 coach of a club playing Foot-fauteuil as it was previously played in France.
• 2 representatives from another club wanting to start Powerchair Football (Vevey and Vessy).

Executive summary:

• There is a very strong desire of the Geneva Handisport Federation to start Powerchair Football.
• There is very strong support from one of the two Directors in charge of the institutions housing the two clubs in attendance.
• There is a project to start Powerchair Football as quickly as possible, as a casual activity at first, then in the mid-term potentially for competition.
• There is a desire from the Federation to become a FIPFA associated member starting this year (2008).
• The leaders in Switzerland are requesting FIPFA’s assistance, to help them set up the sport.

FIPFA’s proposal:

• Once they are registered as an associated member, FIFPA organizes a promotional event in Switzerland in 2008, with the support and the logistics available in the country.
• Objectives:
  o Day 1 – organize a demo with athletes from affiliated countries (demo game, group explanations, discussion with the public). A large number of people are expected to be present, such as athletes, future coaches, future referees, federation officials, family members, etc…
  o Day 2 morning – mini initiation clinic (Athletes – Coaches – Referees). Separate clinics assisted by FIPFA members.
  o Day 2 afternoon – Re-group of all (athletes, coaches, referees) and evaluation of the clinic.
• Proposed dates for the event:
  o Arrival of FIPFA delegation in Geneva – 31-Oct-2008
  o Demonstration and clinics – 01 and 02-Nov-2008
  o Departure of FIPFA delegation – 03-Nov-2008
• Organisation of the event:
  o The Swiss Federation organises logistics for everyone (accommodation, food, gym, etc…)
  o FIPFA provides guidance for the clinics.
  o Finances (FIPFA pays for their delegation – the Swiss pay for the rest) – a budget request will be submitted.
• After the event:
  o Evaluation with the Development Commission and the FIPFA members in attendance.
  o Adjustments of the mini clinics offered in Switzerland for future events.
  o Invitation extended to the Swiss who are interested in participating in coaches and referees clinics.