INTERNATIONAL POWER SOCCER TOURNAMENT
SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 23-24 IN ATLANTA
SUWANEE, GA October 5, 2009 – The Americas Champions Cup will feature the best Power Soccer club teams in the USA and Canada during a two day tournament that will take place Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24 at the Suwanee Sports Academy. Power Soccer (named Powerchair Football internationally) is one of a few competitive team sports for power wheelchair users. It’s a dynamic new way to play the game of soccer – with guards to cover a players feet and an oversized ball.
“Power Soccer requires strategy, precise plays and impeccable teamwork, and we are thrilled to be bringing eight of the best teams in North America together to compete,” said Jonathan Newman, President of the Americas Zone of the Federation Internationale de Powerchair Football (FIPFA), the organization presenting the event. “The interest of Power Soccer here in the United States has grown exponentially over the decade and our hope with this tournament is to showcase the best teams and provide an opportunity for others in power wheelchairs to play and experience the sport.”
The inaugural Americas Champions Cup is organized by FIPFA and teams from the US Power Soccer Association (USPSA) and Powerchair Football Canada (PFC), both members of FIPFA, are participating. The event is being hosted by the Fernando Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Duluth, GA, committed to the growth of powerchair football in the US and abroad. The tournament is being held to provide international match experience for players, coaches and referees in FIPFA’s America’s Zone, and also preparation for the Powerchair Football World Cup in 2011.
The teams that will be competing are the Atlanta Synergy, Ball State Cardinals, Circle City Rollers, Sudden Impact, Vancouver Lightning, Team Quebec, North Shore Eagles, and Okanagon Thunderchairs from Atlanta, Indianapolis, Vancouver, Quebec and British Columbia.
“We are thrilled to participate in this terrific event. I specifically am looking forward to bringing my team because many players on many teams will never have the opportunity to play in an international competition overseas,” said Mike Hayes, coach of the Circle City Rollers of Indianapolis. “The Americas Champions Cup gives so many people the chance to have international competition!”
The tournament games will be held from 9 am – 5 pm on both Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24 with the Championship Game scheduled for Saturday afternoon. For additional information about Power Soccer visit www.FIPFA.org. For information about the Americas Champions Cup contact Jonathan Newman, FIPFA America’s Zone President, at jonathan@borp.org.
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