ParaFed Canterbury

Phone (03) 385 4449   Fax (03) 385 4425

Email info@parafedcanterbury.co.nz

Sport and Recreation for people with physical disabilities

Football or Soccer is another disability specific sport at the Paralympic Games, as only people with cerebral palsy can play the game.

The rules for Paralympic competition differ slightly from the traditional game. There must be a minimum of eleven players on each team – seven players on the field for a game – the field and goals are smaller, there are no offside rules, throw-in’s may be made with one arm and matches are played in 30 minutes halves.

Classification Information

Football is open to all athletes with cerebral palsy who are ambulant.

There must be a mixture of athletes / abilities on the field at one time.

Football 5-a-side is played by athletes with a visual impairment. Athletes compete together, therefore during the match athletes compete wearing an eye mask.

Goal keepers may be sighted.

Classification Information

Football is open to all athletes with vision impairment.