Teams from England, France, Belgium and Demark made up the competitors for the inaugural Powerchair Champions League at Douai in Northern France.
Ray said,“ The opportunity to officiate at the Champions League finals came as quite a surprise as I have only been refereeing in the National League at Kettering for just over a year.” The honour means Ray is now an international Powerchair referee . He was also presented with a participation medal complete with a ribbon depicting the European Union Flag, and a trophy to commemorate the competition. The French side Montauban became the European Champions.
2008 has been a very busy year for Ray, “ I refereed a National Final, completed a Schoolboy International Wembley Double (I officiated at the old Wembley in 1994), refereed in the European Power Champions League & became a Referee Development Officer”
The powerchair game is played on a basketball style court and lasts for 20 minutes each way, with 10 minutes for half-time.
It is played here in Cornwall by Truro based, Celtic Storm. Warren Parker, Cornwall FA’s Disability Football Development Officer says the game is growing, “ We also have other football opportunities for disabled people in the county at coaching sessions in all four special schools. Opportunities for adults are being created with free taster sessions at day centres throughout the county. It is hoped that teams will be formed from these sessions and join the Devon and Cornwall Ability Counts league.”
Read Ray's full account of his time in France on the right.