Launch of Frome Powerchair Football Club

A NEW sports club, Frome Powerchair Football Club, the first of its kind to be set up in Somerset, was officially launched on Saturday 16th June.

Established in April, the launch event for the club brought together the local community and attracted around 60 attendees.

Across the day, the club’s 12 young members were tasked a ‘Team Challenge’ to help raise key funds for purchasing their very own club football shirts. They were successful in not only raising their target of £300, but with extraordinary generosity from local organisation Bradbury House Ltd. and Bradbury House Outreach Services, raised a grand total of £4,000 on the day.

Welcomed to the session were both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Frome, as well as local Rotary clubs and businesses. Both chair control and football skills were put to the test in the open ‘have-a-go’ session, which spectators of all ages and abilities were particularly keen to try.

The club said, “The day was a thoroughly enjoyable one and extremely successful in its aim to expose and promote the sport, club and players in the Frome community.

“Powerchair football is a relatively new sport for children and adults with a physical disability. Played in an electric wheelchair, the specially-adapted sports chair is equipped with a front bumper to help strike a football into a goal – just like the running game!

“The club is the only powerchair football team in the whole of Somerset, and with playing numbers up to 12 in the opening months of existence, it is sure to grow somewhat more.

“The challenge remains to offer quality training and powerchairs to all who wish to attend the club. Sourcing and financing new powerchairs is therefore top of the priority list and the club would absolutely welcome any assistance in this regard.

“If you are interested further about Frome Powerchair Football Club, then please get in touch with Jenny at jenny@novasportsandcoaching.co.uk. We are currently recruiting for more players, coaches, committee members, funders and fundraisers to help fully embed the club in the local community. We would love to hear from you!”