OPTEGRA announced as 2024/25 NATIONAL LEAGUE SPONSOR for WHEELCHAIR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Optegra Eye Health Care is announced as the official sponsor of the 2024/25 National League for the Wheelchair Football Association (WFA) and will be supporting both the Premiership and Championship divisions.

This partnership is a significant milestone in the WFA’s mission to develop Powerchair Football in England, and aligns with Optegra’s commitment to improving lives and its mission to extending its community support and outreach.

Through their sponsorship Optegra is extending its support to the Powerchair Football community, contributing to the league’s development and helping to create more opportunities for players with disabilities to compete.

The 2024/25 season of the National League will proudly be referred to as the Optegra National League, with the divisions officially named:

2024/25 Optegra Premiership
2024/25 Optegra Championship

Optegra’s involvement with The WFA’s National League aligns with its broader goal of improving lives. The partnership will help increase awareness of the benefits of adaptive sports and support the inclusion of people with disabilities in competitive activities. With Optegra’s support, The WFA National League is set to continue its growth, offering more players the chance to develop their skills and compete at the highest level.

Dean Williams, Chairperson of the WFA, said: “My sincere thanks to Optegra for their wonderful commitment and support – it will have a significant impact on our aspirations to grow and, in turn, on those we serve. This is truly a meeting of shared values, and we are so proud to have Optegra with us. Welcome to the family.”

Mat Pickering, Managing Director of Optegra Eye Health Care, said: “Having met the team at the WFA it is clear that we share the same values and commitment to improving the lives of as many people as possible, in as many ways as possible. I am constantly aware of the vital role our hospitals and clinics play in their local communities, and we take that responsibility very seriously.

“And as we have recently opened an NHS cataract clinic in Nottingham, it is wonderful to support this local community, where WFA is based, in this region. I am proud that we are able to support the WFA this season and send good luck to all the teams.”

Optegra, established in 2007, is a well-regarded eye care provider offering a variety of eye procedures across its 19 hospitals and clinics in the UK. As well as providing the latest vision correction technologies – from various laser eye surgery procedures to lens replacement and implantable contact lenses – Optegra also works closely with the NHS across England to provide cataract surgery to thousands within just a few weeks of referral, using the highest quality lenses.

The eye hospital group brings together leading-edge research, medical expertise, and state-of-the-art surgical equipment. Its top ophthalmic surgeons are renowned for their areas of expertise, offering excellent clinical outcomes and outstanding patient service.

The WFA National League, now approaching its 19th season, is the top level of Powerchair Football in England. The league has grown significantly since it began in the 2005-06 season and now features 24 teams in the Premiership and Championship divisions. The Premiership, the top tier, consists of 12 teams that compete in a round-robin format, playing each other twice during the season. The Championship operates in a similar manner and serves as the second tier of competition.

At the end of each season, the top two teams from the Championship are promoted to the Premiership, while the bottom two teams from the Premiership are relegated. A play-off match between the 3rd-placed team in the Championship and the 10th-placed team in the Premiership decides the final spot in the top division for the following season. The league structure is supported by six Regional Leagues, providing a pathway from grassroots participation to elite national competition.

To learn more about The WFA’s National League, please visit: https://thewfa.org.uk/national-league/

About the WFA & Powerchair Football

The Wheelchair Football Association (WFA) is the national governing body for Powerchair Football in England; a unique sport that offers people with physical impairments the opportunity to play football. Since its establishment in 2005, the WFA has played a crucial role in developing and promoting the sport, providing a competitive platform for individuals with physical disabilities.

Powerchair Football is an exciting and fast-paced sport played on a basketball-sized court in a four-a-side format. Players use specially designed powerchairs to manoeuvre and control the ball on the pitch. The sport is inclusive, allowing people of all ages, disabilities, and genders to compete together. It offers participants a chance to engage in regular physical activity and experience competition, which may be rare for many due to their impairments. This helps build important life skills such as teamwork and communication.

For more information on the sport of Powerchair Football, follow: https://thewfa.org.uk/laws-of-the-game/