England's Amputee Team Struggles to Fund World Cup Trip - FA's Oversight Felt
With no national funding, England’s successful men’s amputee side faces a £50,000 shortfall for November’s World Cup in Mexico. Head coach Scott Rogers says the Football Association (FA) has not stepped up despite past achievements and recent success.
Rogers guided his team to the Nations League trophy in 2023, but now struggles to secure tournament funds. “For an England team at the top of the game to miss a World Cup due to funding, it doesn’t sit right,” he says. The FA says it funds six para national teams but amputee football is not among them.
The men’s side won £21.5m in prize money for finishing third in the 2023 World Cup and had a preparation fund of £1.1m. In contrast, they are just short of £50,000 to cover costs this November. Rogers highlights the disparity: “The FA say they’re funded for a certain amount of para teams and at the moment there isn’t the funding to bring amputee football into the fold.”
Amputee football has grown beyond just the men’s team, with women reaching the quarter-finals in 2024 and an expansive junior system.The Women's Team Reaches World Cup Quarter-Finals Amid Funding Struggles
The FA was impressed by their performance at Euro 2024 but any funding offers fell short of what was required. Players previously had to raise £1,500 for tournament appearances, a requirement Rogers scrapped.
England's Amputee ProgramsBefore 2006, the amputee program was under FA’s umbrella until funding cuts left them as independent charities. “Whatever I’d do with an under-18 elite able-bodied team, I’d do with these lads,” Rogers states.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is England's men's amputee team struggling for funds?
The FA refuses to provide specific funding for the amputee side despite past achievements and recent success in tournaments. The men’s team has yet to secure enough money for November’s World Cup.
Has the FA offered any support or funding yet?
While they made a funding offer, it was not sufficient and would have reduced training frequency and cut coaching staff numbers. The team has relied on donations and other sources to fundraise but is still short of their £50,000 target.