YOUNGSTERS have taken to the pitch in York’s first Powerchair Football Festival.

The festival at Burnholme Community Sports Hub welcomed a batch of sports enthusiasts, including those with cerebral palsy, spinal injuries, spina bifida and muscular dystrophy.

Powerchair football is a competitive team sport, played indoors in four-a-side teams, using electrically powered wheelchairs.

Cllr Sonja Crisp, City of York cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism, said: “This new festival has given even more people the opportunity to enjoy our national game and was a great way to try the sport.

“Participants learned about new football drills, skills and activities, and were able to find out more about opportunities to continue playing the sport in York from December onwards.”

To give the festival a regional flavour, participants from other towns and cities in Yorkshire were also invited to join in.

The next festival will be held on Saturday, December 13 in tandem with the newly-formed Jorvik Warriors Powerchair Football Club.

For further information about the festival and Jorvik Warriors Powerchair Football Club, phone Jason White on 01904 553377 or email jason.white@york.gov.uk