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Powerchair footballers competing on world stage

Josh Sandiford
BBC News, West Midlands
Steve Hermon
BBC Radio WM
The Albion Foundation Powerchair Football champion Matt Gilbert in action. He is wearing his Albion kit of white and blue and there is a football in front of his chair. We can see the bottom half of a referee to the right of the screen. He is holding a flag. There are some other players behind Mr Gilbert. The Albion Foundation
Winger Matt Gilbert says there can be a lack of opportunity in the sport

As the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea compete in the USA, another international football tournament is flying under the radar this summer.

The inaugural Powerchair Football Club World Cup kicks off in Paris on Monday, with West Bromwich Albion one of two teams representing England.

The lesser-known sport sees teams of four use footguards on special powerchairs to dribble with the ball, pass and score goals.

Albion winger Matt Gilbert believes it can suffer from a lack of opportunities, but he wants people to know how skilled players are.

Mr Gilbert, from Tamworth, has been playing for 13 years, having discovered the sport thanks to a newspaper article.

"It's just great to showcase people with disabilities and how competitive we can be playing at the highest level," he told BBC Radio WM.

"It's such a big achievement for us and makes you feel quite proud to be representing Albion."

The Albion Foundation The West Bromwich Albion powerchair football team in a huddle. Six players are on their chairs and surrounding their coach. There is a ball in the middle of them. The Albion Foundation
The Baggies have enjoyed plenty of domestic success in powerchair football

The Baggies', which are supported by the Albion Foundation charity, will play their first game at the PRISME sports complex in Bobigny on Tuesday.

They have recently enjoyed success by winning their league five times and scooping a number of cups.

But they are now set for their next big challenge, one that will see them competing against teams from France, Uruguay and Australia.

The Albion Foundation Powerchair Football player coach Chris Gordon in action. He is wearing his Albion kit of white and blue and there is a football in front of his chair. We can see spectators behind him cheering the players on. There are some other players behind Mr Gordon. The Albion Foundation
The sport is rarely televised so players won't know what to expect of the opposition

But in a sport that is not regularly televised, it won't be easy for the Albion to work out their opponents and gain a competitive edge.

In fact, they won't have seen many of their fellow teams play at all.

Chris Gordon, from Kidderminster, is a player coach for the Baggies who has also turned out for the England national team.

The goalkeeper explained that while the tournament would be tough, he was confident his team would rise to the challenge.

"We're excited," he said. "It's the first tournament of its kind for our sport.

"It's a new experience and one we're looking forward to.

"We go there with motivation to win the tournament and prove that West Brom are the best."

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