Swindon Rockets Powerchair football team, whose membership is packed with Calne-based players, has been presented with new kit as members compete in their second national league season.

Powerchair football, which involves playing in specialised wheelchairs, has proved a hit with local youngsters and adults alike, with six Calne players on the team’s roster.

Now they have new kit, donated by Holmleigh Care Homes, in time for the 2011 season.

Rachel Lambert, club secretary, who lives in Heron Way and whose son Daniel plays for the team, said: “The club started in 2007, mostly as a social thing, but now we play competitively in a national league. We train weekly in Swindon and six times a year we go to Kettering for the league games.

“We are very grateful for our new kit because we rely heavily on fundraising and donations.

“The Powerchairs cost £4,000 each and even the specially-designed balls cost £40. So it is quite an expensive sport to run.”

The chairs are designed with a large metallic barrier on the front and back and can reach speeds of up to 10km/h.

Of the 20 teams in the UK, the Rockets are the only one affiliated to their local Football Association, and aim to cater for the whole of Wiltshire.

Mrs Lambert said: “It isn’t just a Swindon team, despite the name. We have players from all over the county.”