The Wheelchair Football Association

What The Wheelchair Football Association does

The Wheelchair Football Association (WFA) is the official national governing body for Powerchair Football in England, established in 2005 and registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organization (Charity Number 1161260) headquartered in Birmingham. The organisation oversees the complete sport pyramid: a National League with Premiership and Championship divisions (24 teams competing over 11 weekends), a record-breaking WFA Cup competition, and six Regional Leagues spanning the South East, South West, West Midlands, East Midlands, North East, and North West of England. Its affiliated network comprises more than 30 clubs serving the primary segment of players with physical impairments, alongside secondary segments of coaches, club officials, referees, parents/carers, and elite players on the Sporting Excellence Programme.

The WFA's core product portfolio centres on competition delivery (National League, WFA Cup and Vase, Regional Leagues), supported by digital infrastructure including the proprietary ScoreLine mobile application (built by trustee Jack Humphries and directly linked to the WFA's internal match reporting system), the 2 on 1 Powerchair Football Podcast, and a Members Portal. Education and workforce products include the FA-approved Introduction to Coaching Powerchair Football course (£60 per participant), the Assistant Referee Online Course, and the newly launched (January 2026) WFA Academy Sporting Excellence Programme — a three-year government-backed apprenticeship delivering a Level 3 qualification in partnership with AJM Choice and Limitless Employment.

The WFA's revenue model combines corporate sponsorship (Slater and Gordon for National League naming rights, AJM Choice for the Academy, MK Battery for podcast and streaming, John Good Group for the Cup and Vase), coach education course fees, tiered membership subscriptions (players, coaches, match officials, club officials, general members), and charitable donations with Gift Aid. The organisation is governed by an Executive Committee of up to 10 volunteer Trustees elected for four-year terms, and operates with two full-time managers (Senior Development Manager and National Development Manager). Payment processing runs through Stripe and PayPal; the FA partnership underpins England national team management and talent pathways.

Name

The Wheelchair Football Association

Legal name

The Wheelchair Football Association CIO

Website

https://thewfa.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Wheelchair Football Association is the official national governing body for Powerchair Football in England, managing the National League (Premiership and Championship), WFA Cup and Vase, six Regional Leagues, and the ScoreLine App across 30+ affiliated clubs. Registered charity funded through corporate sponsorship, coach education fees, memberships, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Sports Governance

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Spectator Sports (71121), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAKAFAL

Disability & Adaptive Sport Governing Bodies (Paralympic & Sport-Specific)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Rights Holders & Governing Bodies (Federations, Associations, Sanctioning Bodies)

SECONDARYMPAKADAM

Adaptive & Para-Sport Event Organizers

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Event & Tournament Organizers (Tours, Championships, Meets)

SECONDARYHSADAEAM

Adaptive & Para-Sport Coaching

Home & Personal Services/Fitness, Wellness & Personal Training/Sports Coaching & Athletic Performance

Keywords

• Powerchair football
• Disability football
• Adaptive sports
• Sports governance
• Football development

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorship from companies like Slater and Gordon (National League naming rights), AJM Choice (Academy partnership), MK Battery (podcast and streaming), and John Good Group (WFA Cup and Vase).
2. Coach Education Course Fees: The Introduction to Coaching Powerchair Football course costs £60 per participant. Pre-course requirements include free online courses (EE Playmaker, FA Safeguarding, FA Disability Football Introduction, Player Welfare).
3. Membership Fees: Membership available for Players (Over 16, Under 16), Club Officials, Coaches, Match Officials, and General Members. Under 16's must be signed up by a Parent or Person with Parental responsibility.
4. Donations: Charitable donations from supporters. WFA is a registered charity (No. 1161260) dedicated to improving lives through Powerchair Football. Gift Aid declarations available for UK taxpayers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Wheelchair Football Association is the national governing body for Powerchair Football in England, delivering a complete competitive pyramid that includes the National League (Premiership and Championship), the WFA Cup and Vase, six Regional Leagues, and managed England national teams in partnership with The FA. It also sells coach and referee education courses, runs a national club affiliation network of 30+ clubs, and operates the WFA ScoreLine mobile app and the WFA Academy Sporting Excellence Programme for elite player development.

Product overview

The Wheelchair Football Association operates a unified portfolio of products and services centred on governing and developing Powerchair Football in England. Its core offerings include the National League (Premiership and Championship), the WFA Cup, and six Regional Leagues, which together form a competitive pyramid from grassroots to national level. The WFA Scoreline App serves as the official mobile application for live match data, connected to the WFA's internal reporting system. The WFA Members Portal provides online membership and access to educational courses including the Introduction to Coaching Powerchair Football (FA-approved) and the Assistant Referee Online Course. The WFA Academy, launched in January 2026, delivers the Sporting Excellence Programme (SEP) – a three-year apprenticeship with Level 3 qualification, mentoring, and volunteering – in partnership with AJM Choice and Limitless Employment. Media offerings include the 2 on 1 Powerchair Football Podcast. All financial transactions are processed via Stripe and PayPal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• National League (Premiership & Championship) The top two tiers of the English Powerchair Football League pyramid, contested by 24 teams (12 in Premiership, 12 in Championship) over 11 weekends from October to April, with promotion and relegation between tiers. Sponsored by Slater and Gordon Lawyers for the 2025/26 season.
• WFA Cup (sponsored by John Good Group) A knockout cup competition for Powerchair Football clubs across England, played on a North/South regional basis in early rounds, culminating in a final held at St George's Park as part of the FA Disability Cup Weekend. 27 teams participated in the 2023/24 season.
• Regional Leagues (6 leagues) Six geographically structured regional competitions (South East, South West, West Midlands, East Midlands, North East, North West) providing competitive opportunities at local level and pathways for teams aspiring to qualify for the National League. The West Midlands league is the largest with ~100 players across 19 teams.
• WFA ScoreLine App The official mobile application for Powerchair Football in England, providing live match scores, goal scorers, league tables, player statistics, and fixture schedules from the Slater and Gordon National League, updated in real-time by Scoreline Operators at pitchside.
• Introduction to Coaching Powerchair Football An FA-approved coach education course delivered by the WFA, combining theoretical learning (Laws of the Game, equipment, disability awareness) with practical on-court experience to train coaches to deliver Powerchair Football in their communities. Cost per participant is £60.
• WFA Assistant Referee Online Course An online training course available through the WFA Members Portal, designed to give an understanding of the assistant referee's role, duties, and how to perform them correctly to support referees in Powerchair Football matches.
• WFA Academy – Sporting Excellence Programme (SEP) A three-year national development apprenticeship combining formal learning (weekly online modules leading to a Level 3 qualification), mentoring, volunteering, and on-court development for high-potential Powerchair Football players. Developed in partnership with AJM Choice and Limitless Employment, launched January 2026.
• WFA Membership Annual membership subscription service for Players (Over 16 and Under 16), Club Officials, Coaches, Match Officials, and General Members, providing access to the WFA ecosystem including competitions, education, and community. Under 16s must be signed up by a parent or person with parental responsibility.

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Slater and GordoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSlater and Gordon Lawyers proudly sponsors the 2025/26 National League, including both the Slater and Gordon Premiership and Slater and Gordon Championship. This sponsorship underscores their commitment to supporting Powerchair Football and enhancing opportunities for players at all levels.
• AJM ChoicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree-year partnership with AJM Choice to support the delivery and development of the WFA Academy. The partnership reflects shared commitment to empowering wheelchair users, promoting independence, and creating opportunities for active and fulfilling lives. AJM Choice provides personalised mobility solutions across the UK, backed by AJM Healthcare's clinical expertise.
• MK BatterycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMK Battery is the official partner of the 2 on 1 - Powerchair Football Podcast for the 2025/26 season, while also powering the WFA's National League live streams. A long-standing and trusted partner within the sport, MK Battery supplies high-performance batteries relied upon by players in both training and competition.
• John Good GroupmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerJohn Good Group sponsors the WFA Cup and the newly introduced WFA Vase, creating even more opportunity for clubs and players. The creative redesign of the John Good Group WFA Cup represents significant investment in the competition's visibility and value.
• Limitless EmploymentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLimitless Employment is the WFA's partner for the Sporting Excellence Programme (SEP), a government-backed apprenticeship designed specifically around the needs of elite athletes in Powerchair Football. The three-year programme combines formal learning, mentoring, volunteering, and on-court development.
• The FAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe WFA works closely with The FA on talent pathways and national team selection. The FA manages the England national teams in partnership with the WFA. The WFA Chairperson will remain connected through The FA's Disability Football Committee after stepping down.
• County FAsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe WFA connects with County FAs and local organisations to expand participation across England. This network supports grassroots development and club launch initiatives throughout the country.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• The Football Association (The FA): National governing body for football in England and WFA's primary strategic partner; manages England teams and disability football pathways. Comparable as a sports governing body with regulatory authority, though it covers the full sport rather than a disability sub-discipline.
• Powerchair Football Federation (FIPFA): International federation for Powerchair Football, of which WFA is effectively the English national member. Provides the global competition rules and international events that WFA's England teams feed into.
• Activity Alliance (English Federation of Disability Sport): UK umbrella organization promoting disability sport and physical activity. Comparable as a sector-level disability sport body, though focused on advocacy and inclusion rather than governing a single sport.

Direct peers

• GB Wheelchair Basketball: UK national governing body for wheelchair basketball. A direct peer as another disability/adaptive sport NGB running leagues, cups, England national teams, coach education, and club affiliations.
• Wheelchair Rugby League GB: Governs wheelchair rugby league across Great Britain. Closely comparable as a niche disability team-sport NGB operating domestic leagues, national teams, and development pathways.
• GB Wheelchair Rugby: National governing body for wheelchair rugby in Great Britain. Peer in governance model, club affiliation structure, and elite player pathway design for powerchair/wheelchair athletes.
• CP Sport (Cerebral Palsy Sport): UK charity providing sport opportunities for people with cerebral palsy and physical impairments. Direct peer as a disability-sport charity running competitions, events, and athlete pathways with similar target population overlap.
• Boccia England: National governing body for boccia in England, a disability-specific competitive sport. Comparable governance footprint (regional structure, classification, coach/referee training, England teams) serving a similar impairment-based community.
• LimbPower: UK disability sport charity supporting amputees and people with limb impairments to engage in sport. Adjacent peer in serving a partially overlapping impairment community and running participation events and pathways.

Regional players

• Scottish Disability Sport: National disability sport organization for Scotland. Comparable as a regional peer in the same space, operating regional leagues and pathways but in a separate UK nation, so not directly competing with WFA's England footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@WFA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-wheelchair-football-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Wheelchair Football Association