JanineThis is a fantastic article written by Lawrence Glyn, from Space2, which he previously posted in the Leeds Unlocked zine. It’s about the Leeds Powerchair football community and teams and is based on an interview he did with Paul Gorman, who wanted to share such a fantastic community.
Check out the links at the bottom to find out more about this exciting league.
Unlocking everyone’s potential through Powerchair Football – written by Lawrence Glyn
When Paul talks, the passion and dedication he brings to Leeds Powerchair Football and the community within, shines brightly. After years as an FA coach, Paul’s wife first saw an ad in a paper when the sport exploded after the London Paralympics and he was interested to see what it was all about. What a journey he has had since then, helping to make Leeds Powerchair football one of, if not the best, club in the country, with members travelling across the North of England to play for and with them.
Paul is particularly proud of the fact that Leeds is not only an elite club, winning titles and competitions, but is first and foremost, a recreational community club where people come together, learn together, take pride, feel enabled and empowered. “The club caters for the needs of all, able-bodied members as well as those who need the use of their wheelchairs for general living; an 8yr old girl can be playing in the same team as a 66yr old man with varying abilities.”
As the parent of a son growing up as a wheelchair user, Andy is in awe of what the sport can do. “I have seen my son become an independent young man, studying at university, away from home, and part of that self-belief was rooted and inspired by his teenage years here at the club.”
With regards the complex health issues and difficulties that inevitably come with using wheelchairs from a medical perspective, the club is the ultimate in peer support, for those with a range of conditions and, inevitably, for the parents and carers. Networking and chatting about the mundane to the serious aspects of living with certain conditions, or how to apply for specific funding and benefits and equipment to improve lives, brings the community together and creates special bonds.
So what is the sport like? “Think dodgems, think waltzers, think speedway – that’s powerchair football! All those elements are what it takes to play powerchair football – balance, speed, strength, control, skill; you do all of that, in the chair!”
The sport is developing fast, too. More leagues giving more opportunities to those playing, players are now becoming coaches, women are now setting up their own gender specific teams rather than just the mixed teams, especially now following the footballing success of the Lionesses.
Paul has had his own remarkable journey, too and in true Paul fashion, he describes his own mindset to get through it. “I used to call it the ‘dark or wet days’ after the failed operation, how do we get through this? But it is sink or swim, and I was never very good at swimming! Our lives have changed with so many new adventures. We used to go camping, now we have a motor home to travel, and we have driven across Europe several times. And my home here is adapted so that I can get around everywhere.”
We use powered chairs, not electric chairs – the game might be electrifying, we don’t electrocute you!
Paul’s parting message is all about the sport and the Leeds Club. “The number of times I have sat and watched from above, the varying ages and disabilities of those playing, with parents sat chatting, talking about life; we have created this. How humbling that we have created this for so many to be involved and gaining so much.”
If you’d like to know more or get involved,
Contact
Email: leedspowerchairfc@hotmail.com
Web: https://www.leedspowerchairfc.co.uk
Facebook: Leeds PFC
Twitter: @LeedsPFC
YouTube: Leeds Powerchair FC
