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Level Playing Field E Newsletter
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Level Playing Field 'Weeks of Action' and Trustee Nominations

To join Level Playing Field contact us at: info@levelplayingfield.org.uk

LPF logoLevel Playing Field Weeks of Action 6th to the 21st April

The Level Playing Field 2013 Weeks of Action start on Saturday for two weeks.

The Weeks of Action represent a real opportunity for clubs to show what they have achieved for their disabled supporters, and the wider local disabled community. There is a lot of positive work going on around the sports world and we feel that clubs should use the Weeks of Action to demonstrate what they have been doing for their disabled supporters. It is also an opportunity for clubs to remind their supporters that they will not tolerate any form of discrimination including disability abuse on the terraces and to highlight disability awareness to all fans. (To report discrimination, please contact info@levelplayingfield.org.uk or the FA on FootballForAll@TheFA.com.)

Level Playing Field has been receiving statements of support from key persons from across the sports industry. Here are a few statements of support.

‘As President of Level Playing Field, I am delighted to support this year’s Weeks of Action campaign. We all have a responsibility to ensure that sport is truly inclusive and that naturally includes the many disabled spectators who are sports fans. I wish every success to everyone involved with this year’s events.' David Bernstein, President of Level Playing Field.

‘My family and I have personal experience of the importance of good access to sporting events as my son was a passionate disabled football fan who spent his weekends attending matches. It meant so much to Joseph and all the family to be able to share this great joy and there can be no better legacy to him than to see all clubs become fully accessible.’ June Wratten, LPF Ambassador and head of LPF Awards.

'The Level Playing Field Weeks of Action are a fantastic opportunity for clubs to look at ways they can make their stadiums more accessible for disabled fans. I wish Level Playing Field the very best for this season's campaign on behalf of everyone at the LMA' Richard Bevan, Chief Executive, League Managers Association

‘Every year the Level Playing Field Weeks of Action campaign focuses on disabled supporters and the work carried out to improve access at professional football clubs around the country. I am delighted to give my support to such an important initiative and hope 2013 sees another successful event’. Gordon Taylor OBE, Chief Executive of the Professional Footballers Association

'Trailblazers fully support this year’s Level Playing Field awareness campaign. The work highlighted during these two weeks and throughout the year remains close to our hearts at Trailblazers. We hope that as many sporting clubs as possible will take part and show off the positive work they are doing’. David Gale, Trailblazers Ambassador.

'I am passionate about football. Everyone should be able to support their team by going to games. Football, indeed all sports, should be open to everyone. I support the Level Playing Field Weeks of Action, as they help clubs and fans achieve this'. Leroy Binns, Campaigns Assistant, Mencap.

'The RFL are delighted to support the Level Playing Field Weeks of Action, it is vital for the future of all sporting organisations and clubs to ensure that their polices, facilities and services are accessible to disabled people. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the staff at Level Playing Field for the invaluable advice and support you have provided Rugby League in our efforts to improve the match day experience for our disabled supporters. We wish you continued success over these two weeks and for the future'. Sarah Williams, Equality & Diversity Manager, Rugby Football League.

For more statements of support please visit the LPF website here.

As we go to press governing bodies, clubs and groups are telling us about their promotional events and activities during the Weeks of Action. Here are a few.

The Football league is advertising the Weeks of Action on their website and through their newsletter, as is the Football Conference and Ryman League. The Rugby Football League has provided all of its Championship clubs with a promotional article which will be included in their matchday programmes.

Arsenal: Plan to hold several events at their game against Norwich on the 13th April including:

•Having a disabled ball carrier
•Disabled supporters to welcome teams prior to the match
•LPF will present its 'Centre of Excellence' award to the club in recognition of its accessible facilities and services
•In conjunction with their Community Department organise a disability awareness day for local school children
•Run a competition in a national disability magazine to win a pair of disabled supporter’s tickets for the Norwich City game.

Bolton: At their match v’s Huddersfield Town on the 2nd April activities included:

• Members of the Bolton Wanderers Supporters Association (BWDSA) meeting a player prior to the game
• Two page spread in the match day programme
• Two complimentary wheelchair and PA tickets for Huddersfield Town FC

Watford and Wingate and Finchley have also already held events. For more information on the Watford event see here.

Ebbsfleet United: are pleased to kick off the LPF Action Weeks on the 6th April 2013, activities include:

• Entertaining a group of supporters from MAPS Activities whose aims are to help people with physical and/or learning disabilities fulfil their potential, by make their own decisions.
• A MAPS member will be the Match Mascot
• Articles are being written by their members for publication in the Match Day Programme.

MK Dons: Have several activities planned for their game against Crawley Town on the 6th April including:

• Pre match game between an MK Dons and a Crawley Town disability football teams.
• All players, and all PA’s, then given complimentary tickets to attend the game at stadium MK (300 tickets available)
• Guard of honour for the teams coming out of the tunnel, formed by some of MK Dons disabled players.
• Ball carried to centre spot by Adam Faiers of the MKDSA who has cycled to every away game this season to raise money for disabled charities
• Parade of MK Dons disabled players and supporters, as well as supporters from Crawley Town around the pitch at half time.
• Ability Counts booklet handed out on day of game
• MK Dons are hosting a fans forum for their disabled supporters to meet the manager, chairman. Enjoy a tour of the stadium, and numerous try it out days to see if any newcomers would like to join any of their disability teams.

Wolverampton Wanderers: Plan to get their disabled supporters together prior to the game on the 13th April for a social gathering and to officially launch the DSA and generate even further interest.

To see what other clubs or groups are doing click here.

It is not too late to get involved- Level Playing Field would like to know what is happening beforehand so that we can help publicise events via the e-newsletter and on our website.

For further information about the campaign or to view a matchday programme template or list of suggested activities please visit the Level Playing Field website at: www.levelplayingfield.org.uk/lpf-weeks-action.

Level Playing Field Trustee Nominations

Level Playing Field is managed by a representative Board of Trustees. As such, LPF is seeking to appoint a number of new Trustees to the Board of Trustees at this year’s AGM. We are looking for dynamic individuals with the right skills, experience and knowledge to play a strategic role in the continued development of our projects and works to ensure true equality for disabled people who choose to follow sport.

We are particularly looking for Trustees with experience and skills in the following areas:
- fund-raising
- bookkeeping, accounting and payrolls
- social media and online networking
- media and accessible communications
- IT and data management
- equality, access and disability legislation
- accessible stadia design and access auditing
- access and disability awareness training
- accessible transport
- Access and inclusion for hard of hearing and Deaf people
- Access and inclusion for learning disabled people

The closing date for trustee nominations is 5pm on the 11th April 2013. To download a Trustee nomination form please click here

Level Playing Field Announces 15th AGM

Level Playing Field is pleased to announce that this year’s 15th Annual General Meeting will take place in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster on Thursday 16th May from 2.00-4.00pm, RSVP’s must be in by the 2nd May.To download a RSVP form please click here.

Keep in touch

LPF takes your views very seriously and we can and will contact clubs and organisers to make sure that where there are problems, these can be resolved - where things have gone well, we'd also like to give the appropriate words of praise as well. Your views, more than any, are so important to us.

There are a number of ways that you can get in touch with us and you can be assured that if you want us to treat something in confidence, we will respect that.

You can email us at info@levelplayingfield.org.uk telephone us on 01244 893 584 or 0845 230 6237, or write to us at the following address:
LPF, c/o CAFE, Regus House, Herons Way, Chester Business Park, Chester CH4 9QR.

 

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For more information about the Level Playing Field 'Weeks of Action' from the 6th to the 21st April click here.

 

Make a charity donation online to support Level Playing Field works. Every donation (small and large) is very much appreciated:


 

Level Playing Field: c/o CAFE, Regus House, Herons Way, Chester Business Park, Chester CH4 9QR
Helpline: 01244 893 584 | 0845 230 6237

Email: info@levelplayingfield.org.uk | Web: www.levelplayingfield.org.uk

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