Sports Academy

WFA England Powerchair Football Training Camp

Back Row - Adam Parry (Percy Hedley Sports Academy), Allen Harrison (Percy Hedley Sports Academy), Ricky Stevenson (Nottinghamshire FA),
Front Row - Sam Bull (Aspire PFC), Rob Thompson (Northern Thunder), Jon Bolding (Aspire PFC), Edward Common (Northern Thunder), Faye Stevenson (Northern Thunder), Daniel Blake (Northern Thunder)

The weekend of the 22nd and 23rd September 2007 was the final training camp for the WFA England Powerchair Football team prior to departure for the Powerchair Football World Cup in Japan in October.

The WFA England squad took up residence in Percy Hedley Academy for Disability Sports for the final preparations and last minute training before taking part in this inaugural event. This weekend was the final weekend of five training weekends which have taken place over the last three months to best prepare the team and squad.

The eight players who will represent England were picked from a total of over 80 National League players and this includes five players from the North East who all play for the Northern Thunder Powerchair Football Team.

Allen Harrison from Percy Hedley has led the preparations in his role as head coach and was supported by Adam Parry (Percy Hedley Sports Academy) and Ricky Stevenson (Nottinghamshire FA) and had this to say about the final weekend.

'As we reach our final stages in preparation for the World Cup the intensity and excitement from the players has moved to a new and higher level. We all know the dreams and aspirations of playing football for your country will soon become a reality'.

The preparations for the World Cup event have been hit by a number of issues along the way, most of all concerning the funding required.

Adam Parry who has been responsible for generating the funding for this trip had this to say about the fundraising.

'With the sport not being a disability discipline of the FA it has not been an easy task for the Team to generate this funding. It was only due to an 11th hour save by several companies, most noticeably Invacare UK who donated a massive £20,000 that these players are going at all'.

Invacare UK, along with Different Travel, The Percy Hedley Foundation, The Community Foundation and the FA have all contributed support and money to this cause which has enabled it to take place and with these issues now over, it is up to the players to deliver and bring home the World Cup Trophy.

You will be able to follow the results of the England team and watch all of the games live by visiting http://web-jpfa.jp/wc/en/.

For further information about the Powerchair Football World Cup, or about the WFA, please contact Adam Parry, Sports Development Officer at the Percy Hedley Sports Academy on 0191 268 7116 or via e-mail at a.parry@percyhedley.org.uk.

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