Want to be part of the inaugural season of Victorian Powerchair Sports League?
What is Victorian Powerchair Sports League?
Victorian Powerchair Sports League (VPSL) is a new and exciting competitive league for people with a physical disability.
VPSL is the showcase for powerchair sports in Victoria. The league displays the all-round skills of each athlete in the three sports of Football/Soccer, Hockey and Rugby. The league is open to all ages, genders and disabilities.
All rounds will be played at the Aquahub in Croydon on Sundays. Rounds will be fortnightly and will run from 1pm – 4pm.
Once the league commences on October 14, there will be new opportunities to learn about the rules and try the different sports at:
- Open Skills Session – October 28 at Aquahub (12:30pm – 2pm)
- Open Skills Session – November 11 at Aquahub (12:30pm – 2pm)
What’s the format of the competition?
The season will begin in October and conclude with the annual ‘Pride Cup’ in April. There will be 10 rounds consisting of a best-of-three series, one match of each sport. The winner of the best-of-three series will claim victory of the round. The team with most series wins will be deemed ‘League Champions’, while the two best teams of the season will meet in the Pride Cup.
- Each sport will have two 15-minute halves.
- There is a 10km/h speed-limit in all three sports.
- A team must have a minimum number of 4 players, no more than 8.
- Two transfer markets (December & February) will give teams the opportunity to draft, trade or loan players.
- A junior/development program will run alongside the VPSL for any new players who join up throughout the season.
- A team of six will be picked to represent Victoria at the National Electric Wheelchair Sports event held in Sydney each year.
What are the sports played?
There are three sports played during the VPSL.
A metal guard is mounted onto a player’s powerchair which is then used to push and ‘spin-kick’ a 330mm Football.
Powerchair Football is a very tactical sport that requires skill, team work and communication. The sport is strictly non-contact and features at two National competitions as well as Internationally with a World Cup held every four years.
Powerchair Hockey is broadly based on Ice Hockey/Floorball. A barrier surrounds the court which allows players to rebound the ball. It is a competitive, high intensity sport. It is a fast-paced, tactical game and thus an excellent spectator’s sport! Powerchair Hockey is relatively new in Victoria but with two Victorian in the current Australian Team, the sport is bound to grow! The sport is played Internationally with a world championship held every four years.
The sport is played by imagining the flight of a ball between numbered players who call the number of their team mate who is intended to receive the ‘ball’, subject to ‘Tackles’ by opposing players. This is to make the sport as fair as possible, where players only need a voice and good driving skills to compete. A tennis ball is used to commence play and to convert a TRY into a GOAL. It is a contact sport and players are required to have a foot-guard on their powerchair.
Who can play?
Anyone in a powerchair can play in the league. VPSL is a mixed competition open to all ages and abilities.
What equipment is needed?
Those who are interested in trying out the sports can attend any round to have a look at the sports in action. If a player decides to join, a metal guard is required for both Powerchair Football and Rugby. VEWSA can loan guards out but we will encourage players to make their own guards which best suits their powerchair. We can also point you in the right direction on where to get some made up!
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/VictorianPowerchairSportsLeague
For more information about the league, the sports, and to discuss your suitability please contact VEWSA’s President, Luke David on 0424 160 174 or luke.david@vewsa.org.au
What’s next? What’s after VPSL?
A squad of 6 will be selected from the VPSL to represent Victoria at the National Electric Wheelchair Sports (N.E.W.S) event held interstate in April, 2019. Following N.E.W.S, VEWSA will start its club championship competition in May which features both Powerchair Football and Powerchair Hockey.
How else can I help out?
VEWSA is unable to adequately promote the sports to the public, beyond our Facebook page and website. Despite VEWSA’s important role in providing sporting and recreational opportunities for players with a disability, and our participation in national events, we receive little official or financial sport.
Our mission is to grow and take our sports all over Victoria, to be as inclusive and accessible as possible. VEWSA is seeking any support, whether it be by donating, volunteering, sponsorship or promoting. Our lack of funding and resources has a direct impact on our capacity to run programs and provide opportunities to our members. Support received could be used for much needed sports equipment, modifications to wheelchair guards, starting more leagues around the state and/or transport players to games/events. We believe our sports have a positive impact on people with and without a disability. Get in contact with us if you’re looking to volunteer, sponsor, donate or promote our sports!
Calendar of Events
ROUND 1 – Sunday, October 14th, 2018
ROUND 2 – Sunday, October 28th, 2018
ROUND 3 – Sunday, November 11th, 2018
ROUND 4 – Sunday, November 25th, 2018
ROUND 5 – Sunday, December 9th, 2018
ROUND 6 – Sunday, January 20th, 2019
ROUND 7 – Sunday, February 3rd, 2019
ROUND 8 – Sunday, February 17th, 2019
ROUND 9 – Sunday, March 3rd, 2019
ROUND 10 – Sunday, March 17th, 2019
PRIDE CUP – Sunday, April 7th, 2019
N.E.W.S – Saturday, April 13th – Saturday, April 20th, 2019
