In Profile: Interview with Aoife McNicholl Ireland Powerchair Football Team Member.

Aoife McNicholl

I’m Aoife McNicholl and I play powerchair football. I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type II. Powerchair football is a unique sport that provides opportunities for people with a high level of impairment to access the game of football. It is the only active team participation sport for people who use electric wheelchairs or those who have limited movement in a manual wheelchair, and it’s usually played on an indoor court – similar in size to a basketball court – with matches consisting of two teams of four players each. The unique nature of powerchair football allows all ages, disabilities and genders to compete together.

I play centre so I do a bit of defending and setting up the striker.

How did you get into powerchair football?

Muscular Dystrophy Ireland did a taster in 2003 and I went along to try it. I was not sure if I would like it but I loved it and was hooked. There were not many events though, maybe one a year. Then the FAI (Football Association of Ireland) got involved in 2009, and they set up the Association of Irish Powerchair Football (AIPF). We then had a cup and league.

You can find out more about the FAI here https://www.fai.ie/domestic and more about the AIPF here https://aipf.ie/.

What do you enjoy most about powerchair football?

There is a couple of different things I like:

• I like the competitiveness and it is the only sport I can play independently and I don’t need assistance to play.

• I’m getting to play at the highest level in different competitions.

• I get to form connections and make friends with people all across the world.

How long have you been competing?

I have been competing internationally since 2011.

What tournaments have you taken part in?

I competed in my first World Cup in Paris, France in 2011. I went to my second World Cup in Florida USA in 2017 and I’m competing in my third World Cup in Sydney, Australia this October. I competed in two European Championships, one in 2014 and one in 2019. I also competed in two Champions Leagues with my club, DCU Storm.

I know you mentioned about it’s the only sport you can play independently, have you tried other sports?

No, I just play powerchair football as others, like basketball, require physical strength. You can control the power of the chair and strike the ball. There is a metal guard at the front of the chair to hit the ball.

How do you find the coaching?

I coach for my club, DCU Storm. It is very different from playing. It can be challenging to coach if playing as well. With coaching, you have to manage team selections and tactics. I was away recently coaching a youth team playing in the Geneva Cup. I was able to concentrate on the coaching and get the best out of the team playing.

Are there qualifications you had to go through to coach?

No, there are no qualifications needed. Most of the coaches are parents or have a link to a member of the team.

What one piece of advice would you give to children about powerchair football?

I would give powerchair football a blast. It is a different experience playing to watching. If you don’t like watching football or sports, don’t let that put you off. The worst that will happen is you will not like it. That’s okay – you do not have to come back but the best thing is you may love it. For me, it was great socially and great for leadership skills, massive help to confidence, and I have made many friends. It is more than just going out on the court and playing.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I would encourage more females to get involved. Only two females compete in the Republic of Ireland. It would be great to see more females in the sport, especially with the women’s World Cup having gone on recently.

If you would like to find out more about powerchair football please contact Donal Byrne, AIPF Secretary, at donal@aipf.ie