Interview - Conor Troy: FIPFA Powerchair Soccer Team and MDI Member
Conor Troy
The FIPFA World Cup will take place in Sydney, Australia from 15 to 21 October 2023. It’s an international Powerchair Football competition contested by members of the Fédération Internationale de Powerchair Football Association (FIPFA), the sport’s global governing body. MDI are proud to support the Ireland FIPFA powerchair soccer team and made a contribution of €12,000 in October 2022 towards the delegation’s fees for the FIPFA World Cup. With Six of the Ireland squad being MDI Members we recently sat down for a chat with some of them ahead of the big tournament.
Where are you from?
Kilcormac, Co. Offaly
How long have you been a member of the Irish Powerchair Soccer Team?
I’ve been on the senior team since 2019 when I made my debut in the EPFA Nations Cup in Finland where we finished 3rd in Europe and claimed a bronze medal.
Is there a coach or athlete that you look up to as a role model and why?
! look up to Jon Bolding (England captain) because in my opinion he is the best player in powerchair football. The way he controls the centre of the pitch is second to none in football. He is the ideal player for any aspiring international powerchair football player to look up to.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of sports?
I’d listen to music daily but other than that I’d be watching sport as often as I can whether it be in person or on the television.
Are you looking forward to the FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup in Sydney, Australia this October?
Absolutely. To play in the World Cup is something that I’ve dreamed of since I began playing at the age of 6. Never did I think it would happen but the time is close now and I cannot wait! We’ve been waiting 2 years since the original World Cup start date but due to Covid it was pushed back to this year. To say in a few months that I represented my country in a World Cup will be a massive honour for me and it’s something I’ll forever be proud of and will cherish forever.
How can people support the Irish Powerchair Soccer Team?
People can support the Irish team by donating at https://gofund.me/9b981a2d and by keeping up to date with the results and progress of the team in Sydney in October and by watching our games when they are on from the 15th - 21st of October.