Help get Portlaoise duo to Powerchair Football World Cup

Irish Powerchair Football Team Launch Fundraiser for 2017 World Cup in Florida

Ireland’s Powerchair Football Team have qualified for the third Powerchair Football World Cup in Florida in July 2017. Two members of the squad are cousins Aoife McNicholl and Emer O’Sullivan (squad captain), both from Borris Little, Portlaoise

Powerchair football is a team sport for disabled people who use power wheelchairs. Two teams of four players use powerchairs equipped with foot guards to attack, defend, and spin-kick a 13-inch football.

Ireland are ranked among the ten best powerchair football teams in the world and have every chance of returning from Florida as world champions.

The Irish squad for next summer’s FIPFA World Cup is Emer O’Sullivan (squad captain), Neil Sheehan, Keith Hayes, Thomas Donogher, Naglis Montvilas, Aoife McNicholl, Thomas Winters, Sean Donogher and Patrick Flanagan.

Fundraising

While the team have secured qualification for the tournament, there are still large costs to be incurred if they are to compete and represent Ireland at an international stage.

Getting Team Ireland to Florida is a financial and logistical challenge. Each athlete has two chairs to transport (their own personal powerchair and their sports competition chair).

Laois members of the squad are cousins Aoife McNicholl and Emer O’Sullivan (squad captain), both from Borris Little, Portlaoise

The team will have to ship or fly all of the sports chairs to Florida if they are to arrive safely in time for the players to use in competition.

In addition, the team have to pay for the flights of eight athletes, eight professional carers and five coaching, management and technical staff.

After that, the team have to pay for the tournament itself. This includes covering accommodation, food and transport for their delegation of 21.

Finally, there are travel, medical and sports insurance costs, as well as the hiring of medical equipment out in the USA, beds and hoists.

Getting Team Ireland to Florida will cost around €50,000 in total. In light of this, the team have joined forces with PledgeSports, a crowdfunding platform dedicated to sport.

With a fundraising target of €10,000, the team would appreciate support of any value as it will help them take a step closer to Florida.

Those who wish to contribute can visit the team’s fundraiser here

The team are offering rewards for those who support their fundraising. Rewards include: Social media shout-outs; a chance to win premium tickets to Ireland v Wales World Cup qualifier in March 2017; a meet and greet with Team Ireland; the opportunity to try your hand at powerchair football and play against the world cup team.

Generous individuals and businesses can avail of sponsorship opportunities. These can also be found on the team’s fundraising page here. Thank you for your support.