Football (soccer) is the most popular team sport in the world. Anyone can enjoy kicking a football in their back yard, at the local park, at school or at their local club. It is a fun and exciting game that can be played socially with family and friends or competitively against organised teams. There are many modified versions of the sport that cater for players of different abilities.
Download our Football fact sheet and Electric Wheelchair Sports fact sheet for more details.
Local programs
Contact your local football club for information about come and try days, training opportunities and membership benefits. For a list of football clubs in your area, visit Football Queensland.
If you would like assistance making contact with your local club, please contact us.
The Brisbane and Capricorn Paralympic Football Programs offer footballers with a physical disability the chance to develop skills and game experience and link with mainstream football clubs. Check the Football fact sheet for times, dates and locations.
The electric wheelchair sports program in Brisbane offers electric wheelchair soccer.
Development
Coaching and development opportunities are provided through local football clubs and governing bodies, including Football Federation Australia’s Paralympic Football Squad. The Brisbane Paralympic Football Program (coordinated by the Association) and the Capricorn Paralympic Football Program (coordinated by Frenchville Sports Club) provide coaching and development for footballers with a physical disability.
Competition opportunities and pathways
Paralympic seven-a-side football (formerly known as CP Football) for people with a physical disability has a well defined pathway that includes Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association’s Festival of Football State Championships, Football Federation Australia’s National Paralympic Football Championships, world championships and the Paralympics. Five-a-side football for footballers with a vision impairment is played at the Paralympics, but there are currently no state or national competition opportunities in Australia.
People who use an electric wheelchair can compete in the National Electric Wheelchair Sports (NEWS) championships, which include electric wheelchair soccer.
Footballers have to be classified to compete nationally and internationally.
Members can apply for state, national and international funding from the Association.
Equipment
Football can be played with a ball on a variety of indoor or outdoor surfaces. More competitive players require boots, shin pads, and comfortable playing clothes. Football equipment is available at most sports stores. Five-a-side football requires a smaller football with bells inside so that players with a vision impairment can hear it. Electric wheelchair soccer uses large double inflated balloons.
Other roles
You don’t have to play football to be involved. You can make a contribution as a club volunteer, coach, team manager, official, administrator of the sport or as an enthusiastic supporter. For more information on volunteer opportunities, contact your local club or Football Queensland.
Check our Calendar for upcoming events and Gallery for the latest football photos.
Useful links:
Football Queensland
Football Federation Australia
CP-ISRA Seven-a-Side Football Rules
Australian Paralympic Committee
