England Powerchair squad 'driving the standards'

Six years on from beating France in a tense penalty shootout to claim the European title, the England Powerchair Football squad will travel to Italy this week with confidence high, aiming to retain the 2025 EPFA Nations Cup.

England head into the EPFA Championship with a squad brimming with talent and competition in every position.

And captain Jon Bolding says this is raising the standards higher than ever.

“I think this is the best England squad we've ever had,” he said.

“I don't think anyone could really predict the starting four going in for this tournament and that's a praise to all the players in the squad that they're pushing each other.”

England’s final training camp at St George’s Park before heading to Italy was a huge success. It built on an impressive win over the USA at their previous camp, with development squad players providing strong opposition to push the team further.

Under new management, England will continue to show their identity on the pitch, with added tactical tools such as set pieces giving them an extra edge.

Head coach Adam McEvoy feels his squad’s biggest strength is their ‘understanding of how we're looking to play, and the ways that they can break teams down.’

This tournament will showcase an array of experience from the England side, with four out of the eight players selected being the core of the team that previously led the team to European glory.

The squad will also feature two new faces in Dylan Kelsall and Ethan Fisher, both of whom have impressed over the past year and earned their call-ups through consistent performances.

And McEvoy says their inclusion reflects not only the team's present strength but also its bright future.

“They are credits to their family, and they're credits to the clubs that they've played for, and they're just really super talented,” he explained, adding how excited he is to see them on the biggest stage.

He also emphasised the importance of the squad’s camaraderie, noting the players ‘pick each other up, they hold each other accountable, and as a collective they're all driving the standards, which is fantastic to see.’

For Kelsall, who has regularly been part of the successful England development squad in the England Para Pathway, the call-up marks the reward for years of dedication.

He described how being selected is a proud moment for him - made even more special knowing he will receive his first physical cap!

Coming into his first major international tournament as head coach, McEvoy feels the EPFA Nations Cup represents more than just a chance to retain silverware. He sees the tournament as an opportunity to showcase the very best of English Powerchair football and inspire the next generation.

England will kick-off their campaign against familiar opponents in Scotland, who they met recently in the Home Nations in a high-scoring contest.

Beyond the group stage, there is the prospect of a showdown with France, one of the strongest sides in the world, and the chance to face them again is one that excites the players following the heartache of their defeat in the 2023 World Cup Final in Australia.

As Kelsall explained: “France is always the one that stands out, they’re one of the strongest sides in Europe, if not the world.

“The intensity in those matches will always be massive, but they're the kind of games you dream of when you're a player.”

With preparations complete and confidence high, the Para Lions are eager to get started in Italy.

The blend of experienced champions and fresh talent gives the squad real depth, and there is a sense of excitement about what this group can achieve together.