Power Soccer is a truly dynamic development for power wheelchair users. This action packed team sport combines the skill of the wheelchair user with the speed and power of the chair itself. Power Soccer is the first competitive team sport designed and developed specifically for power wheelchair users. These participants include people with quadriplegia, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, head trauma, stroke and other disabilities.
The game is played in a gymnasium on a regulation basketball court. Attaching a plastic or metal footguard to their chair, two teams of four players each attack, defend, and spin-kick a 13-inch soccer ball in a skilled and challenging game similar to able-bodied soccer.
The benefits of power soccer are far-reaching. This is a competitive sport that combines strategy, power, speed and quick thinking. Participants also learn good sportsmanship, build cardiovascular endurance and upper-body strength, use different muscle groups and improve their mobility skills. More importantly, however, are the social benefits of competitive sports – inclusion, acceptance and empowerment!
The Northeast Passage Power Soccer program began in 2007 and has quickly grown in numbers and skill development. As the first community-based Power Soccer program in New England, Northeast Passage has helped grow the sport in the region creating training opportunities for athletes, coaches, and referees, and opportunities for competition as new teams are established.
The Northeast Passage PowerCats practice in the spring and fall seasons on Saturdays in Durham, NH and have several games scheduled versus other regional teams each season. Players must use their own power wheelchairs – Northeast Passage provides all other equipment and instruction.
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