History of Powerchair Football (PCF)
1970’s
The early forms of Powerchair Football were first played in the 70s, where teachers in France introduced an old basketball and boards for sidelines to their students who used power chairs. From here French Powerchair Football underwent many changes to become the highly competitive, three division, 30 team, sport that it is today. Separate to France, Power Soccer was developing in Canada, before the 80s where it was being exported to the USA and Japan, and Wheelchair Football was being played in Belgium, Portugal and Switzerland.
1980’s
It’s important to note key differences in the game at this time between the “Soccer” and “Football” versions. Soccer allowed screening, had no speed limit, used a very big ball and did not allow reversing. Since this period in the 80s, countries adopted various styles and modified them to suit their own needs without convening with other countries.
2000’s
In 2004, US Coach, David Ruelas, discovered the European form of the game whilst on holiday in Belgium. The idea of making Powerchair Football an international sport came soon after when contact was made with the Director of Powerchair Football in France, Herve Delattre.
In 2005, 7 countries, including the US, France, Canada, Japan, Belgium, England, and Portugal, met in France to begin the formation of the IPFA (International Powerchair Football Association) whose primary objective was to develop an international governing body, to promote the sport worldwide, and to merge the varying styles into one standardised international format. These same countries met in Portugal to demonstrate each of their rules and styles of play. After discussions it was unanimously decided to use the English rules to form the basis of the international laws of the game. Wheelchair Football Association (WFA) formed to govern the sport in England.
In 2006, the foundations that lead to the formation of the United States Power Soccer Association (USPSA) were put in place by a dedicated group of people. Various countries again met, this time in Atlanta, USA to further fine tune the laws of the game into a standardised model as well as ratify the constitution. IPFA soon became Federation International Powerchair Football Association (FIPFA).
In 2007, we saw the first FIPFA World Cup in Tokyo, Japan. This first tournament was won by USA.
In 2008, the first international club tournament was held in France, showcasing the top eight teams from four European nations.
In 2009, an international training course for referees was held, and the first Americas Cup made up of the best US and Canadian teams. Development clinic in Poland and Singapore.
In 2005, 7 countries, including the US, France, Canada, Japan, Belgium, England, and Portugal, met in France to begin the formation of the IPFA (International Powerchair Football Association) whose primary objective was to develop an international governing body, to promote the sport worldwide, and to merge the varying styles into one standardised international format. These same countries met in Portugal to demonstrate each of their rules and styles of play. After discussions it was unanimously decided to use the English rules to form the basis of the international laws of the game. Wheelchair Football Association (WFA) formed to govern the sport in England.
In 2006, the foundations that lead to the formation of the United States Power Soccer Association (USPSA) were put in place by a dedicated group of people. Various countries again met, this time in Atlanta, USA to further fine tune the laws of the game into a standardised model as well as ratify the constitution. IPFA soon became Federation International Powerchair Football Association (FIPFA).
In 2007, we saw the first FIPFA World Cup in Tokyo, Japan. This first tournament was won by USA.
In 2008, the first international club tournament was held in France, showcasing the top eight teams from four European nations.
In 2009, an international training course for referees was held, and the first Americas Cup made up of the best US and Canadian teams. Development clinic in Poland and Singapore.
2010’s until Present
In 2010, the second Power Champions League was held in England and the second Americas Cup was held in Vancouver, Canada.
In 2011, a demonstration was organised in Australia, including representatives from New Zealand. Second FIPFA World Cup was held in Paris, won again by USA.
In 2012, Portugal hosted an under 16s international training course for players. Further demonstrations held in Brazil for South America, France and Austria for Europe.
In 2013, the first Asia Pacific Oceania (APO) Cup was held in Sydney between Australia, New Zealand and Japan. WAPFA founding member Kyle Scolari was WA’s first player to represent Australia. Promotional event held in New Zealand. Third EPFA Champions Cup. Argentina with the help of sponsor Lionel Messi joined FIPFA. Under 18s tournament held in Paris.
In 2014, Spain joins FIPFA after demonstration held in Alicante. Invacare renews its partnership. EPFA Nations Cup held in Ireland. Tournament held in Austria for new member countries. Americas Cup welcomes Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.
In 2015 – 32nd edition of the AlterGo Challenge, multi-sport competition organized by the Canadian province of Quebec and welcomes 5,000 athletes with a Powerchair Football tournament for the second time – After Coimbra at the end of 2013, FIPFA is organizing a second international course for players under sixteen In Paris, in cooperation with France – First COPA Powerchair Football Libertaires in Montevideo with the presence of the three countries of South America, member of the FIPFA; Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil.
In 2016 – Copa Powerchair Football Libertaires in Buenos Aires with several Argentinian, Uruguayan and Brazilian teams – Stage of discovery for young players in England, (English and Irish players) – EPFA Champion’s Cup in Hou, Denmark, competition hosting the ten best European clubs International referee and classifiers in England – Internship of Classifiers in Ireland.
2017 – 3rd FIPFA World Cup in Kissimmee, Florida. Ten countries are qualified; Defending world champion, 3 countries from the Americas, 4 from Europe, 2 from Asia / Oceania – India and Turkey join FIPFA – In 2017, 28 countries practice Powerchair Football.
Tournaments Australia has been involved in - 2011 FIPFA World Cup - Paris, 2013 APO Cup - Sydney, 2014 Copa Americas - Rio de Janeiro, 2017 FIPFA World Cup - Kissimmee, Florida.
First Powerchair Football Nationals was in 2011 during a development event at Narrabeen, Sydney. We had athletes, referees and others from Japan, France and the USA in attendance. NSW beat Qld in the final.
The sport first arrived in Australia in 2010, with the Sydney competition beginning that year. This was after Matt Cross attended an event in Singapore showcasing the sport.
In 2011, a demonstration was organised in Australia, including representatives from New Zealand. Second FIPFA World Cup was held in Paris, won again by USA.
In 2012, Portugal hosted an under 16s international training course for players. Further demonstrations held in Brazil for South America, France and Austria for Europe.
In 2013, the first Asia Pacific Oceania (APO) Cup was held in Sydney between Australia, New Zealand and Japan. WAPFA founding member Kyle Scolari was WA’s first player to represent Australia. Promotional event held in New Zealand. Third EPFA Champions Cup. Argentina with the help of sponsor Lionel Messi joined FIPFA. Under 18s tournament held in Paris.
In 2014, Spain joins FIPFA after demonstration held in Alicante. Invacare renews its partnership. EPFA Nations Cup held in Ireland. Tournament held in Austria for new member countries. Americas Cup welcomes Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.
In 2015 – 32nd edition of the AlterGo Challenge, multi-sport competition organized by the Canadian province of Quebec and welcomes 5,000 athletes with a Powerchair Football tournament for the second time – After Coimbra at the end of 2013, FIPFA is organizing a second international course for players under sixteen In Paris, in cooperation with France – First COPA Powerchair Football Libertaires in Montevideo with the presence of the three countries of South America, member of the FIPFA; Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil.
In 2016 – Copa Powerchair Football Libertaires in Buenos Aires with several Argentinian, Uruguayan and Brazilian teams – Stage of discovery for young players in England, (English and Irish players) – EPFA Champion’s Cup in Hou, Denmark, competition hosting the ten best European clubs International referee and classifiers in England – Internship of Classifiers in Ireland.
2017 – 3rd FIPFA World Cup in Kissimmee, Florida. Ten countries are qualified; Defending world champion, 3 countries from the Americas, 4 from Europe, 2 from Asia / Oceania – India and Turkey join FIPFA – In 2017, 28 countries practice Powerchair Football.
Tournaments Australia has been involved in - 2011 FIPFA World Cup - Paris, 2013 APO Cup - Sydney, 2014 Copa Americas - Rio de Janeiro, 2017 FIPFA World Cup - Kissimmee, Florida.
First Powerchair Football Nationals was in 2011 during a development event at Narrabeen, Sydney. We had athletes, referees and others from Japan, France and the USA in attendance. NSW beat Qld in the final.
The sport first arrived in Australia in 2010, with the Sydney competition beginning that year. This was after Matt Cross attended an event in Singapore showcasing the sport.