Football NSW to host National 7-a-side Paralympic Championships

Football NSW is locked in to host the 2016 National Paralympic 7-a-side Football Championships at Valentine Sports Park from the 27thto the 30th of October.

Paralympic 7-a-side football state teams from across the nation are set to battle it out claim the rights to be named the national 7-a-side football champions. With the tournament previously held in Coffs Harbour, Football NSW is thrilled to be hosting the fantastic tournament at the end of this month. States playing in the tournament include NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and a combined state team (ACT, South Australia and NSW).

Tournament Director and Pararoo Team Manager David Campbell is looking forward to the tournament being held at the home of Football in NSW for the first time.

“I am excited to see many new young players being nominated in the sides this year and he tournament is turning out to be one of the closest competitions in years.  Every team has current members of the PARAROOS in them.

“Football NSW have been brilliant in their support for not only the tournament but also the development of Paralympic 7-A-Side Football across the country.”

Paralympic 7-a-side football is played in the Paralympics with the Pararoos narrowly missing out the chance to play in Rio this year. 7-a-side football is for anyone who has a physical impairment such as cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury and symptoms resulting from stroke. The Pararoos coaches will be in full attendance over four-day tournament to identify the best players to get the chance to represent their country and play in the 2017 world championships in Argentina.

Pararoos Head Coach Kai Lammert cannot wait for the tournament to get underway.

"I am looking forward to the National Paralympic 7-a-side Championships at Football NSW this year. It's a great opportunity for the national coaching staff to see the current Pararoos, but also to identify new and upcoming talent for national teams. 

"We are delighted to run a "finding the next Pararoo" come and try football event just before the final on Sunday and I can't wait to coach all the young footballers together with the tournament ambassador Claire Falls and some of the current Pararoos."

"The tournament is the first step on our "road to Argentina" next year. The Pararoos qualified for the World Championships in September and the Nationals are the first opportunity to impress the coaching staff ahead of selection for the 14 player strong squad next year."