By Dan Ball
Leicester City FC has launched a new community initiative enabling disabled people to play football.
The new programme delivers powerchair football, a highly adapted and accessible format of football for people with severe physical impairments.
Since 2014, there has been no provision for disabled people with a physical impairment to play football in Leicester.
Community co-ordinator Luke Miller said: “We’d like powerchair football to be a beacon for as many people with a physical impairment as possible.”
Leicester City in the Community is the charitable arm of LCFC, which delivers community and educational initiatives throughout Leicestershire and Rutland.
The club’s powerchair football group was fully affiliated with the Wheelchair Football Association (WFA), the governing body of powerchair football in England, in late 2024.
Emma Greaves, Marketing and Communications Development Manager, said: “The WFA have been instrumental – they were in all initial meetings and offered advice and support throughout the development of the project.”
“They also helped us establish partnerships with Boost Charitable Trust and Sport England which has enabled us to acquire the necessary equipment to run the session including powerchairs, footballs, a hoist and chargers.
“We also work very closely with Everyone Active who let us store and charge our chairs in their facility.”
Sessions take place every Wednesday from 4 to 6pm at Huncote Leisure Centre at £3 per session and are run by full time, qualified members of staff. It is open to everyone.
Mr Miller said: “A key plan is to maintain this provision, whilst also being able to offer other opportunities for the participants including special events, game experiences, and accessible stadium tours.”
The club is also hoping to join the East Midlands Powerchair Football League, one of the WFA’s regional competitions, which is viewed as an exciting prospect for players and staff alike.
“Our mantra here is ‘There’s A Place for Everyone’,” added Mr Miller, “and this shines through all of our work, with Powerchair Football being a key demonstration of that. We welcome anyone to reach out if they have questions.”
Anybody who is interested can contact Luke.Miller@lcfc.co.uk for more information.