Noeleen Gannon, Club Secretary of M&F United Powerchair Football Club, shares the impact of MDI’s support.
Noeleen Gannon, Club Secretary of M&F United Powerchair Football Club, shares the impact of MDI’s support, including reflections from players on what it has meant to them. We are incredibly grateful to have received two Strike Force Power Soccer chairs for our club through funding provided in conjunction with MDI and The Lords Taverner’s. This generous support means so much to our club and to all of our players.
These chairs will have a huge impact by giving more people with disabilities the opportunity to take part in sport, build confidence, and be part of a team. Power soccer is more than just a game – it creates friendships, promotes independence, and gives players the chance to compete and enjoy being active in an inclusive environment.
For our club, receiving these chairs helps us grow, welcome new players, and ensure that everyone has the chance to participate regardless of ability.
One player who received a chair said: I love football and everything about football. Powerchair football is the closest thing to playing regular football for people in a wheelchair. I’m very grateful for receiving this sports chair, as my family was not able to afford one. Playing Powerchair football helps me improve my communication skills, build my confidence, meet my friends, and it is also good for my mental health. Receiving the chair has helped me improve my performance and playing skills, and it allows me to compete in league matches and championships abroad.”
Another player said: “It meant a huge amount to me that the club received the sports chairs from The Lord’s Taverner’s. Support like that gives players like me opportunities that can genuinely change our experience in the sport. Being allocated one of the chairs was really special. Using it gave me greater confidence, more freedom on the court, and the chance to improve my game. It helped me perform at my best, and I feel the new chair has also helped secure me a place on the Senior Ireland team. I am very grateful to everyone involved for making that possible.”
We sincerely thank MDI and The Lords Taverner’s for helping make this possible and for supporting disability sport in such a meaningful way.