Optegra Sponsorship of Wheelchair Football Association

We’re delighted to announce that Optegra Eye Health Care will be the official sponsor of the 2024/25 National League, supporting both the Premiership and Championship divisions.

This partnership is a significant milestone in The Wheelchair Football Association (WFA)’s mission to develop Powerchair Football in England, aligning with our shared commitment to improving lives.

Through their sponsorship of The WFA National League, 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.

About the WFA

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.

Mat Pickering

Managing Director of Optegra Eye Health Care

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 the WFA is based. I am proud that we are able to support the WFA this season, and send good luck to all the teams.

About 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.

Get more information on the sport of Powerchair Football.

2024/25 Optegra Premiership and Championship

The WFA National League, now entering its 19th season, is the pinnacle of Powerchair Football in England. The league features two divisions: the Premiership and the Championship, each comprising 12 teams. The Premiership is the top tier of competition, where the best teams in the country compete in a round-robin format, playing each other twice throughout the season. The Championship operates similarly and serves as the second tier of the league.

Each season, the top two teams from the Championship are promoted to the Premiership. The bottom two teams from the Premiership are relegated to the Championship, while a play-off between the 3rd-placed Championship team and the 10th-placed Premiership team determines the final spot in the Premiership for the following season. This dynamic structure ensures a high level of competition and provides a clear pathway for teams to progress.

The WFA National League is supported by six regional leagues, which function as feeder systems, providing a pathway from grassroots participation to elite national competition. This structured approach is crucial for the sport’s growth and the development of players at all levels.

As part of this sponsorship for the 2024/25 season, the league will now be proudly known as the Optegra National League, with the divisions officially named the 2024/25 Optegra Premiership and the 2024/25 Optegra Championship.

2024/25 Optegra Premiership Dates: