In sports, competitive integrity is paramount. The FIPFA Classification System is strategically designed to maintain this integrity by ensuring that athletes compete on an even playing field, where their skills and strategies, not their impairments, dictate the outcome of a competition.

Purpose & Principle: At its core, the purpose of this system is to minimise the influence of impairments on the outcome of competitions. Success in Powerchair Football, under the purview of this system, is determined by an athlete’s sporting ability, dedication, training, and strategic acumen.

Classification Process: The process involves a meticulous evaluation of athletes, classifying them into specific sports categories based on the degree of activity limitation their impairment entails. This ensures that athletes don’t have an undue advantage merely because their impairment offers them less resistance in athletic feats. Instead, victory on the field should be a testament to an athlete’s physiological and psychological attributes, honed skills, rigorous training, optimal nutrition, and the innovative use of legal technical aids, such as bespoke equipment designs and appropriate strapping.

Objectives of the Classification System:

1. Determine Eligibility to Compete: Before entering the competition, every athlete undergoes a thorough assessment to determine their eligibility. This assessment gauges the extent and nature of the athlete’s impairment and its impact on their performance in Powerchair Football.

2. Group Athletes for Competition: Post the assessment, athletes are grouped into specific classes that align with the nature and impact of their impairments. This ensures that each athlete competes against others with comparable activity limitations, thereby ensuring a fair and balanced competition.

The FIPFA classification system is more than just a procedural requisite. It’s an embodiment of the spirit of sportsmanship, crafted to ensure that athletes shine through their talents, skills, and strategies. It safeguards the essence of competition, making sure that every match, every move, every goal in Powerchair Football is a genuine reflection of an athlete’s or team’s prowess and dedication.

To delve deeper into the rules, intricacies, and guidelines of this system, kindly click the link below to access and download the complete Classification Rulebook.