POWERCHAIR FOOTBALL

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.

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.”