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Back in 2024, Rotherham United Community Trust reached a proud milestone by launching our very first Powerchair Football sessions at Rotherham Leisure Centre. The official launch event brought together more than 50 supporters, including representatives from the Sheffield & Hallamshire FA and the Wheelchair Football Association, all united behind an exciting new chapter for inclusive sport in our town.
Powerchair Football is the only fully inclusive, competitive team sport designed specifically for wheelchair users and people with severe mobility impairments. It’s fast-paced, skilful and fiercely competitive, and through RUCT, it became available right here in Rotherham.
Since day one, our Powerchair team has made history. As the first and only Powerchair Football provision in South Yorkshire, the Millers proudly travelled to Leeds to compete in their first-ever mini tournament. It was a landmark moment for our players, their families, and our community, showcasing determination, teamwork and true Millers spirit.
Now, through our 50K Power Play campaign, we’re building on that momentum.
We are aiming to raise £50,000 to secure the future of Powerchair Football in South Yorkshire. Much of our current specialist equipment is damaged, outdated or no longer competition-ready. Without urgent investment in new powerchairs and equipment, the growth and long-term sustainability of the programme is at risk.
By supporting this campaign, you’re not just funding equipment — you’re powering ambition, opportunity and representation. New chairs will allow our players to train safely, compete at higher levels, and potentially progress along recognised national pathways.
Every donation brings us closer to transforming disability football in South Yorkshire.
One of our players, Rowan, is 11 and has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. His mum, Laura, told us what the team means to him:
Rowan has been playing Powerchair Football every two weeks with the Rotherham United Community Trust team for well over a year now. The group gives him the opportunity to take part in a regular sporting activity for those with disabilities, which we’d found hard to come by in South Yorkshire. We’d found there were plenty of regular activities for his younger siblings but none for Rowan as a wheelchair user with complex needs.
Being part of the Powerchair Football team has massively increased his confidence and has given him a way of expressing himself through sport. The group provides a safe space for Rowan to be himself and he has thrived.
He has made new friends and enjoys spending time with all the amazing coaches. The coaching team not only help with the technical aspects of Powerchair Football, they have also helped build Rowan’s confidence and he has learnt some important skills from them around being resilient and working as a team. The coaches and team also give Rowan the opportunity to express his emotions freely, which is important for his mental health.
The twice monthly sessions are great for us parents too as we get to spend time talking with other families that are going through similar things to us. Powerchair Football runs twice a month and it’s about more than just the game – it’s about giving everyone a chance to pull on the Millers badge, get stuck in, and feel part of the team.