Victorian Powerchair Premier League (VPPL), formerly called Winter Season, is a club-based competition for people with a physical disability. The Premier League has two different sports, Powerchair Football/Soccer and Powerchair Hockey.
The 2019 Victorian Powerchair Premier League Fixtures & League Structure have been released below. An enhanced player pathway for juniors and new senior league structure are some of the exciting changes being made to the competition.
The new Junior/Development program will run alongside the Premier League competition and will give the clubs an opportunity to develop new players for selection in the Premier League.
Competition Structure
The season will begin in May and conclude with the championship final in October. There will be 13 rounds consisting of one match of each sport. The teams on top of the league table will be deemed ‘Premiers’. The league is open to all ages, genders and disabilities. All league matches will be played at the Aquahub in Croydon on Sundays with the current format:
- Each sport will have two 20-minute halves.
- There is a 10km/h speed-limit for Powerchair Football and a 15km/h speed limit in Powerchair Hockey.
- A team must have a minimum number of 4 players, no more than 8.
- Two transfer markets (Prior to Round 1 and at Round 6) will give teams the opportunity to draft, trade or loan players.
- Training sessions will be held during the season.
- Junior/Development program will run alongside the Premier League competition.
- Powerchair Hockey clubs can compete at the Club Championships in November while Powerchair Football clubs can compete in January.
Sports
Powerchair Football
Powerchair Football is played with two teams of four players. Players use their powerchair to push and ‘spin-kick’ a 330mm Football. Powerchair Football is a very tactical sport that requires skill, team work and communication.
Melbourne City Powerchair Team was established in 2015 after Luke David and Craig Kilby approached the Melbourne City Football Club. The team was the first Powerchair Football team in Victoria. They finished in 9th position at the recent Australian Club Championships.
South Melbourne Powerchair FC was founded in 2018. Craig Kilby was appointed as the President of the Club, Jules North-Coombes as the inaugural Captain and Rebecca Gulle the Coach. They were Premiers in the 2018 State League and recently finished 11th in the Australian Club Championships.
Powerchair Hockey
Powerchair Hockey is broadly based on Ice Hockey/Floorball. A barrier surrounds the court which allows players to rebound the ball. It is a fast-paced, tactical game and an excellent spectator sport.
Melbourne Ducks was established in 2019 by Luke David and will replace the Penguins in this year’s competition. The club is largely based in the northern suburbs of Melbourne but are looking to expand across Victoria.
Melbourne Hunters was established just after the Ducks. They will replace the Rangers team from previous years and have a team of players all around the state.
Fixture (Venue, Times, Dates)
Venue:
Aquahub, 11 Civic Square, Croydon
Times:
1pm: Training
2pm: Powerchair Football
3pm: Powerchair Hockey
Dates
- ROUND 1 – 19 May 2019
- ROUND 2 – 26 May 2019
- TRAINING – 2 June 2019
- ROUND 3 – 16 June 2019
- ROUND 4 – 23 June 2019
- TRAINING – 30 June 2019
- ROUND 5 – 7 July 2019
- ROUND 6 – 14 July 2019
- TRAINING – 21 July 2019
- ROUND 7 – 28 July 2019
- ROUND 8 – 4 August 2019
- TRAINING – 11 August 2019
- ROUND 9 – 18 August 2019
- ROUND 10 – 25 August 2019
- ROUND 11 – 8 September 2019
- ROUND 12 – 15 September 2019
- TRAINING – 22 September 2019
- ROUND 13 – 29 September 2019
- CHAMPIONSHIP – 6 October 2019
How can I join or express interest?
Whether you’re an interested player, coach, referee or volunteer, please get in contact with us through our EOI form linked below!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VEWSAPremierLeague2019
If you require any further information or assistance regarding the above, please contact our Competitions Coordinator, Shaun Mott at shaun.mott@vewsa.org.au
