Key Points
- GBG Knights Oxford selected Geneva 2026
- Powerchair football team needs sponsors now
- Captain Rhys Mallet leads Oxford Academy squad
- Karen Mallet highlights mental health benefits
- High costs include £11,000 custom powerchairs
Oxford (Oxford Daily News) February 21, 2026 – The GBG Knights, Oxford’s prominent powerchair football team based at the Oxford Academy, have been officially selected to compete in the prestigious international tournament in Geneva scheduled for 2026, marking a significant milestone for the squad as they seek sponsorship to cover substantial travel and equipment expenses.
What is the GBG Knights team?
The GBG Knights represent a dedicated powerchair football outfit from Oxford, regularly training at the Oxford Academy facilities. As reported in coverage from Yahoo UK News, the team has earned an invitation to the Geneva competition in 2026, highlighting their rising status in the sport.
Powerchair football, played on a basketball court with teams of up to eight players four active at a time requires specialised powerchairs costing over £11,000 each, which adds considerable financial pressure on teams like the Knights. According to the Goals Beyond Grass website, the GBG Knights are the highest-ranked team in the GBG Powerchair Football Club Development Programme, competing in the Optegra Powerchair Football Championship, the second tier of English powerchair football, and the West Midlands PFL Championship.
These achievements underscore the team’s commitment, with training sessions held every two to three weeks at Chosen Hill School for three-hour durations focused on drills and match practice. The squad’s selection for Geneva positions them for international exposure, building on their domestic successes in the WFA National League’s PTC Therapeutics Championship, where matches consist of two 20-minute halves played over weekends in Nottingham to minimise costs.
Who leads the GBG Knights?
Captain Rhys Mallet helms the GBG Knights, guiding the team through their competitive season. His mother, Karen Mallet, has been vocal about the team’s journey, emphasising the personal impact of the sport.
As quoted by Karen Mallet in Yahoo UK News, “Engaging in powerchair football significantly benefits my son’s mental health, allowing him to enjoy the sport he is passionate about despite his physical challenges.”
Karen Mallet further elaborated on the fundraising efforts, stating “We are fundraising to assist our powerchair football team in traveling to an international competition in Geneva. This represents a remarkable chance to compete, develop, and showcase our community on a worldwide platform.”
Rhys Mallet’s leadership has been pivotal, with the team drawing players from experienced backgrounds, including those from the Gloucestershire Gladiators and Bristol Dragons as part of the GBG Club Development Programme.
The captaincy role involves not only on-court direction but also rallying support for logistics, as the Geneva trip demands coordinated efforts in travel, accommodation, and equipment transport.
What is powerchair football?
Powerchair football is an inclusive variant of the sport adapted for players with disabilities, utilising customised electric wheelchairs on a basketball-sized court. Teams field four active players from a roster of eight, fostering fast-paced action with physical guarding permitted within rules.
The sport’s equipment demands are high, with each powerchair exceeding £11,000 in value, contributing to ongoing financial strains for clubs nationwide. Matches last 40 minutes total, enabling compact weekend leagues that rotate venues like Nottingham for national play and Birmingham for regionals, ensuring broad participation.
As detailed on Goals Beyond Grass, the GBG Knights exemplify this format, with their preparation emphasising skill development and teamwork, preparing them well for elite challenges like the Geneva event. This adaptive game promotes physical fitness, strategy, and social bonds, particularly beneficial for participants facing mobility issues.
Why was Geneva tournament 2026 selected?
The GBG Knights’ invitation to the Geneva tournament in 2026 stems from their strong performances in domestic leagues, positioning them as a top development squad. Yahoo UK News reports the selection as a direct outcome of their consistent training and competitive results, inviting them to represent the UK internationally.
Organised under the banner of GBG Geneva’s Cup, the event builds on prior editions, such as the 2024 tournament from 23-25 August, which hosted 10 teams at the Sports Center de la Queue d’Arve with live streaming, referee clinics, and a gala dinner themed “Sharing – Inclusion – Fun”. The 2026 edition promises similar prestige, supported by the Ville de Genève and Swiss Powerchair Football Association (SPFA), in partnership with Goals Beyond Grass International and the Association of Powerchair Football Geneva.
This selection elevates the Knights from regional play to a global stage, where they will face diverse international opponents, enhancing their profile and skills.
What challenges does the team face?
Financial hurdles dominate the GBG Knights’ preparations, with costs for travel, lodging, and transporting heavy powerchairs posing significant barriers. The Yahoo UK report notes the team is actively seeking local business sponsorships and public donations to bridge this gap.
Karen Mallet stressed the urgency, as the high expense of £11,000 powerchairs already strains resources, compounded by international journey logistics. Donations can be made via peoplesfund.com/d/geneva-cup-2026, with direct contact available note the email correction from source material for accuracy.
Despite these obstacles, the team’s resilience shines through their development programme ties, which have integrated seasoned players and sustained high rankings. Overcoming funding remains key to realising the Geneva opportunity fully.
How does the team train and compete?
Training for the GBG Knights occurs biweekly or triweekly at Chosen Hill School, spanning three hours of intensive drills and scrimmages. This regimen has honed their readiness for the Optegra Championship and West Midlands league.
Competitions unfold in Nottingham for nationals, featuring multiple short matches per weekend to optimise game time and costs, while Birmingham hosts regionals similarly. Highlights from games, like against Sale United, are shared via GBG Knights TV on YouTube through WFA live-streams, boosting visibility. For Geneva 2026, this foundation equips them against international fields, with captain Rhys Mallet steering tactical growth.
Affiliated with Goals Beyond Grass, the GBG Knights lead their club development programme, drawing talent from established teams like Gloucestershire Gladiators and Bristol Dragons. They trial new players seasonally to bolster the roster.
Their ascent to second-tier national play reflects strategic training and low-cost league formats, culminating in the 2026 Geneva nod. The programme emphasises inclusivity, mirroring powerchair football’s ethos.
What makes Geneva Cup special?
Geneva’s Cup, organised by GBG Geneva, features multi-team formats at premier venues like Sports Center de la Queue d’Arve, with on-site meals, Ramada Encore stays, and awards ceremonies. Past events included referee training and live broadcasts.
The 2026 iteration invites the Knights to this inclusive spectacle, supported by local Swiss authorities, promising cultural exchange alongside competition.
Local businesses and individuals are urged to sponsor or donate, contacting Karen Mallet. Online contributions via peoplesfund.com/d/geneva-cup-2026 directly aid the cause.
Such backing not only funds the trip but amplifies community pride in Oxford’s sporting ambassadors.
What are the broader impacts of powerchair football?
The sport fosters mental health improvements, as Karen Mallet attested: “Engaging in powerchair football significantly benefits my son’s mental health.”
It enables passionate participation despite disabilities, building confidence and networks.
For teams like the Knights, international exposure via Geneva 2026 could inspire wider adoption, challenging stigmas around disability sports.
Who organises Geneva tournament?
Goals Beyond Grass International leads, partnering with Association of Powerchair Football Geneva, SPFA, and Ville de Genève. The 2024 edition set precedents with 10 teams and festive elements.
This collaborative model ensures high standards for 2026 participants like the GBG Knights. Immediate focus lies on fundraising to secure participation, followed by intensified training at Oxford Academy and Chosen Hill. Success in Geneva could propel them towards premier-tier elevation.
Captain Rhys Mallet and the squad aim to showcase UK powerchair prowess internationally.
