2022 Novita SANFL Wheelchair Football season ready to take off

Wednesday, July 20

By SANFL Media

The highly successful Novita SANFL Wheelchair Football League is set for future growth with the announcement this week of a partnership extension with Novita.

Kicking off for a second season tomorrow night (Friday, July 22), the competition will again feature teams representing four SANFL Clubs – Central District, Norwood, Woodville-West Torrens and the inaugural 2021 Premiers, Sturt.

SANFL CEO Darren Chandler said Novita’s multi-year commitment as Naming Rights Partner stood the competition in great stead for the future.

“The inaugural season of the Novita SANFL Wheelchair Football League was an overwhelming success and we’re extremely excited about the longer-term commitment from Novita to support its expansion,” Mr Chandler said.

“We are looking forward to not only extending the season next year, but also welcoming more SANFL teams into the competition.

“SANFL and Novita have forged a great partnership and we are thrilled to have the support for a competition which provides players with disability and their families a fantastic opportunity to get involved in our great game and the SANFL Club who they represent.”

The official season launch of the 2022 Novita SANFL Wheelchair Football League was held on Wednesday at NovitaTech. Novita is one of South Australia’s largest and most respected disability service providers.

Novita Chief Executive Officer Greg Ward said the organisation was extremely proud to support SANFL and wheelchair football in South Australia, and the growth of the sport.

“Supporting the SANFL’s Wheelchair Football League is a great fit for Novita, which not only focusses on delivering the best services and supports for people living with disability, but also works in the community to improve inclusion and access to social activities like sport,” Mr Ward said.

“Competitions such as the Novita SANFL Wheelchair Football League provide people living with disability an opportunity to get involved in organised sport, which is great for their fitness and wellbeing in a community and social environment.

“What has also been remarkable is the number of people without a disability who have also taken to wheelchair footy, making it an attractive sport for all participants.”

The Novita SANFL Wheelchair Football League was the winner of the Active Inclusion Award in the prestigious 2021 Sport SA Awards.

Played on a basketball court with goal posts at either end, Wheelchair Football involves teams of five facing off against each other with two defenders, two forwards and one midfielder.

A handball in Wheelchair Football is the equivalent of a kick, while an under-arm throw equates to a handball in regular Australian Football rules. Teams can be mixed gender, including a blend of players with and without a disability.

Round 1 of the Novita SANFL Wheelchair League is on Friday at The Lights Community and Sports Centre, Lightsview, with the first match starting at 6:10pm.

Round 1 – Friday, July 22

Woodville-West Torrens v Central District  | 6:10pm

Norwood v Sturt  | 7:10pm

View the full season fixture here