Carmel, IN - December 1, 2009 - Twenty athletes from across the country met in Whitestown, Indiana, November 19th-21st to demonstrate their skill and determination in an effort to be chosen for the next Team USA. Twelve athletes were chosen to continue their training for the next 18 months where the field of twelve will be narrowed to eight athletes, with four alternates. This team will compete in the 2011 World Cup.

Congratulations to the following athletes:

Case Calvert, Indiana
Danny Gorman, Florida
JC Russo, Indiana
Jerry Book, California
Jordan Dickey, Indiana
Katie Dickey, Indiana
Kendra Scalia-Carrow, California
Matthew Griffin, Indiana
Michael Archer, Indiana
Omar Solorio, California
Peter Winslow, Minnesota
Peyton Sefick, New York

Be on the lookout as to how you can help support Team USA through fund raising opportunities! Check out Team USA's website at: www.PowerSoccerTeamUSA.org.

18 November 2009 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Today, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board (GB) concluded its 54th official meeting, which was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the occasion of the upcoming IPC Conference and General Assembly.

During two days of meetings, the IPC GB focused on the upcoming General Assembly, approved the Paralympic Medal Events programme for the London 2012 Paralympic Games as well as the Sochi 2014 Sports programme (Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Cross-Country Skiing, Ice Sledge Hockey, Wheelchair Curling). It was decided to not include Standing Ice Hockey on the Sochi 2014 Sports programme as the number of countries widely and regularly practicing the sport does currently not meet the minimum requirement of eight countries from two regions.

The Board also discussed and approved the International Federations that intend to apply for inclusion of a sport/discipline on the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games Sports Programme (Badminton, Canoe, Golf, Handball, Basketball ID, Futsal ID, Powerchair Football, Taekwondo, Triathlon).

Said IPC President Sir Philip Craven after the meeting: “This last meeting with the current Governing Board was as fruitful and productive as all the other meetings we had so far. I want to thank my fellow Governing Board members for their dedication and commitment throughout the years. I am confident that the new Board will take on the upcoming challenges in the best interest of all Paralympic athletes.”

The GB also discussed several other issues, including a report on the progress of the preparations for the Paralympic Games in Vancouver, London and Sochi. Furthermore, the Board received updates on the work of various IPC Standing Committees and Councils as well as addressed several membership issues.

The next Governing Board meeting of the newly elected Board will take place in Whistler, Canada, just before the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Power Soccer Fans - Check out this highlight video of the Top 10 USA Goals from 2009 Americas Champions Cup! Pass it on to any other Power Soccer fans you know - the goals are incredible!

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Paris, France and Bonn, Germany: Friday 6 November 2009 In a letter Thursday to Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Fédération Internationale de Powerchair Football Association (FIPFA) asked for recognition of powerchair football (known as power soccer in the United States) as a sport for the 2016 Paralympic Games.

In accordance with IPC procedures, FIPFA consequently also seeks to become a member of the highly respected International Paralympic Committee as an independent federation governing powerchair football, a team sport widely played both competitively and for recreation by severely disabled athletes in 20 countries.

Speaking in Paris, France, where FIPFA has its official headquarters, the FIPFA President, Hervé Delattre stated that his letter to Sir Philip was sent after careful consideration in the governing bodies of FIPFA, which is as yet a relatively new structure for many in the sports world. Delattre has been involved as a volunteer since the idea of playing football in electric wheelchairs was born, thirty years ago.

He went on to say that for the 3500 players, coaches, referees, classifiers and volunteers involved in powerchair football the time seems to be truly right for this way of playing "the beautiful game" to be seen as an essential aspect of the future growth of sports opportunity for the disabled. "We look forward to the IPC's favourable acceptance of our submission" he concluded.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are the pinnacle of an athlete’s career. The Rio de Janeiro 2016 organizers have said they will strive to provide conditions to enable athletes to compete at the highest level in an environment of excellence, friendship and enjoyment. Who gets to go is strictly controlled.

With only two weeks to go to the decisive IPC conference in Kuala Lumpur, powerchair footballers and national teams, as well as FIPFA officials are now anxiously waiting to see if they will have the chance to play in the paralympic arena, as of Rio 2016. The fast moving video available on line of their World Cup of Nations in Tokyo, Japan in 2007 shows that, whatever is decided, for sure this popular, dynamic and exciting team sport will reach a wide and appreciative audience in the next few years.

For more information about the sport of powerchair football and its organisation visit www.fipfa.org. Go to www.paralympic.org to learn about the International Paralympic Committee and Movement.

In This Issue

• USPSA Contacts
• A Message from the President
• America's Champions Cup A Huge Success
• America's Champions Cup 2010
• Whistle Stop
• Registration Facts
• 2010 Tournament Sites Selected
• FIPFA Discussed Flipping Chairs
• Upcoming Clinics
• Training DVD
• Power Soccer Shop Lives On
• Be The Face Of World Cup Bid
• USPSA Apparel