Powerchair Football

Stuart Niven

Stuart started playing powerchair football 3 years ago for South Ayrshire Tigers Powerchair Football Club. The club has two teams competing in the Scottish Powerchair Football League.

South Ayrshire Tigers train at Whitletts Activity Centre in Ayr on Thursdays between 3.30pm and 7pm. They are currently on the lookout for new players. The club is open to everyone and they actively encourage competent powerchair users of all ages to come and try the sport for themselves.

If you are interested in joining the club please contact us at: southayrshiretigerspfc@gmail.com.

Powerchair football is the fastest growing disability team sport in the UK but many remain unaware of the sport. Powerchair football gives people with a physical disability the opportunity to play the beautiful game of football and is the only active team participation sport for people who use powerchairs.

SFA Grassroots regional Award-Winners " Best Para Football Project 2018"

Thanks to grants from a number of charities including Aspire and Spinal Injuries Scotland, Stuart was able to raise enough funds to buy a Strikeforce. The Strikeforce (above) made by Power Soccer in the USA is designed specifically for playing powerchair football.

Stuart Niven (left) plays for the South Ayrshire Tigers Powerchair Football Club based in Ayr. Stuart, 36, is hoping one day to represent his country at his favourite sport.

“It has always been a dream of mine to represent my country at any sport I play. I won’t stop dreaming until I’ve achieved it.”

Stuart had a road traffic accident in 2010 which resulted in him sustaining a spinal cord injury at C4/C5. At the time Stuart was working for an engineering consultancy in England. He was left with very little movement in his arms which left him initially dependent on a powerchair to get around.

“My life was turned upside down as I spent eight months in the national spinal unit in Glasgow and eventually lost my job.”

However, over the last few years he has had two tendon transfer operations giving him back more movement in his arms. As a result he is now able to get around using a manual chair although he still needs to use a powerchair the majority of the time. A few months ago he even managed to complete a 5k sponsored push in his manual chair and raised £1600 for his powerchair football club.

“From a very young age sport played a big part in my life. Before my accident I was really active and enjoyed the outdoors especially hillwalking. I was a keen golfer and I also played tennis as well as 5-a-side football with my friends. With so much taken away at a relatively young age, being able to compete in any sport again makes a huge difference.”

Stuart remembers watching the London 2012 Paralympics and thinking he would love to get back into sport. Hence, he looked into playing other wheelchair team sports like wheelchair rugby, but because of the limited movement in his arms he isn’t able to play. He is, however, able to play wheelchair tennis in his powerchair which he does most Wednesdays at Prestwick tennis club.

Stuart’s occupational therapist made him aware of a local powerchair football club that had recently been set up called “South Ayrshire Tigers” and introduced him to the guy that was running the club. He decided to go along to a taster session and hasn’t looked back since. Stuart now trains every week and also plays for the team in the national league and cup competitions each season.

Stuart says, “off court all players are good friends, however the minute we face each other on the pitch, our competitiveness kicks in. There is no better feeling when you're being hoisted into your football chair with your team kit on, ready to play. There are no words that can describe it. You have just got to experience it for yourself.”

Stuart was also appointed to the role of Club Chairman last year. Currently, much of his time is being spent trying to secure a team sponsor. This would help ensure the club has enough funds to be able to compete in the national league next season. The club also actively fundraises by holding events like race nights and doing a sponsored walk. The club has just submitted an application to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) to become a registered charity.