In April this year, Rotherham United Community Trust and their More Than Football Department launched their brand new Powerchair Football sessions at Rotherham Leisure Complex. With the initial launch being a huge success, since April the sessions have grown and are flourishing.

Rotherham United Community Trust are delighted to announce they have two headline sponsors for the bi-weekly sessions. Places Leisure and Ross Care have joined on board with RUCT in their commitment to encouraging inclusivity and diversity within the local community, and the world of football.

Places Leisure are one of the UK's leading social enterprises, welcoming over 30 million members to around 100 health and wellbeing facilities across the nation annually. Their Rotherham facility, based on Effingham Street, offers a wide range of activities and services for people of all ages and they are proud to be one of the beating hearts of the Rotherham community.

Places Leisure have committed to providing a venue for Power Chair football until at least March 2026, ensuring that participants continue to play for free.

Contract Manager, Matt Stothard, told us “We are absolutely delighted to be one of the two headline sponsors of the Powerchair Football scheme that runs at Rotherham Leisure Complex. We are extremely passionate about the positive role we play within our local community and the opportunities we can create to allow people to become more active and take part in sport.

Football is a sport for all and this scheme allows members of our community who may not previously have been able to participate to come down to the centre, take part, have fun and make new friends. The work that Rotherham United Community Trust does aligns with the Places Leisure values really well and I look forward to us working together on future projects which provide opportunities for the community of Rotherham to take part in sport and physical activity.”

Ross Care with over 60 years of experience, is the UK's premier provider of high-quality wheelchair services. Part of their commitment to local communities across the UK is their dedication to add value local stakeholders through supporting community initiatives.

"Ross Care is delighted to support these Powerchair Football sessions. We understand the importance of having the right equipment, maintained in excellent condition, to empower individuals and enhance their opportunities. We applaud the fantastic work being done by Rotherham United Community Trust and delighted to partner with them. We hope all participants thoroughly enjoy the sessions and encourage others to give it a try!” said Alastair Ronaldson, Head of Marketing for Ross Care.

Ross Care entered into an agreement until March 2026 to maintain and service the power chairs ensuring that participants get the safest and best experience possible during our sessions.

Community Programme Manager, Jonathan Allan said:

“We launched our 2025 club project earlier this year with the aim of bringing in new investment and support for the charity, this is exactly the type of project we hoped local businesses would get on board with. The support from these two amazing organisations allows more people across Rotherham to get active and participate in football, which is a game for all"

Powerchair Football is viewed by many as the only truly inclusive active team sport, catering for wheelchair users or people with severe mobility impairments. Powerchair Football provision is a completely mixed offer, allowing all ages of players and all genders who have a physical disability to engage in the game and now, until 2026 at least, for free.

To find out more about our Powerchair Football sessions, please email Dylan Hadley at dhadley@rotherhamunited.net