This week the Asia, Pacific Oceania Powerchair Football Cup kicks off in Brisbane with a place at the 2026 FIPFA World Cup in Argentina at stake.
The Australian Poweroos are coming off a sixth-place finish at the 2023 World Cup in Sydney and have their eyes set on returning to the world stage. A top two finish in the Brisbane tournament against New Zealand, Japan and debutants South Korea will see them booking their tickets across the Pacific to South America.
Spearheading the Poweroos campaign are two of Victoria's leading powerchair footballers Rebecca Evans and Luke David. Joined by fellow Melbourne City FC colleagues Coach Robert Wright and Team Manager Skip Fulton, the pair are looking to expand their international experience.
"There is nothing better than representing your country on the world stage,” Victorian captain Luke David said.
“We have a fantastic squad which mixes experience and youth which we are building towards the World Cup in Argentine in 2026.”
The quartet is coming off a high with Melbourne City Powerchair FC winning the Australian Club Championship earlier this year. The first non-NSW club to do so. They were also recognised by Disability Sport & Recreation Victoria as the 2025 Team of the Year.
"Winning the club championship is certainly a career highlight. Bringing home the APO Cup for the Australian Poweroos will certainly top that. We are going in confident of a successful tournament,” Rebecca Evans said.”
Powerchair football is played at a local, national and international level in the style of futsal for those who use an electric wheelchair for everyday life. It has been played in Australia since 2011 and for over a decade in Melbourne where it forms a crucial element of Football Victoria's All Abilities Program and Football For All strategy.
Joining the players in Brisbane but not wearing the green and gold, is Rebecca Gulle. Rebecca is Victoria's only qualified powerchair football referee having earned her FIPFA international badge a few years ago. She has served as the Technical Director of the sport in Victoria and refereed for many years at the Australian Club Championship. Her efforts and experience culminated with a place on the referee panel at the 2023 FIPFA World Cup. She will be joined at the Asian Pacific Oceania Cup tournament by fellow referees from Queensland and England.
The Tournament kicks off on Wednesday October 15th at Nissan Arena in Brisbane.