The Level Playing Field Weeks of Action are now in full swing.

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 not too late to let us know what you plan to do to celebrate the Weeks of Actions. Events can take place outside of the Week of Action fortnight between now and the end of the season. You can let us know what your club or DSA plan to do to celebrate the event by contacting info@levelplayingfield.org.uk or 01244 893584.

“I would like to offer my full support to the Level Playing Field Weeks of Action campaign this year. Disabled people have a huge role to play in sport and it is vital that facilities are accessible for this to happen. The Weeks of Action are a fantastic opportunity for sports clubs to not only highlight their accessible services and facilities, but also to look at how they can continue to improve in the future”. Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, DBE, 11-time Paralympic Games gold medallist and Cross Bench Peer of the House of Lords

Other NEW statements of Support include:

‘We are pleased to endorse the Level Playing Field Weeks of Action and to offer our on-going support to the initiative which extends across all sports. It is important that stadiums are accessible and inclusive for all, and these Weeks of Action offer a great opportunity for clubs and disabled fans groups to celebrate the positive works being undertaken’. Paul Thorogood, CEO, The Football Stadia Improvement Fund.

'There is great logic in sports stadiums being as accessible as possible, and Level Playing Field's Weeks of Action offer a great chance for clubs to showcase the access improvements they have made. I support the Weeks of Action and hope to hear of a really successful campaign' Professor Derek Fraser, Independent Football Ombudsman

‘I am proud to support Level Playing Field’s Weeks of Action once again this season and send the best wishes of everyone at the Sports Ground Safety Authority as we look forward to another successful campaign to promote equal services and facilities for disabled sports fans’ Paul Darling QC, Chairman Sports Ground Safety Authority

'Everyone at Football Conference wishes Level Playing Field the greatest success in 2013. Following football can have such a positive effect on the life of a disabled person. The two Weeks of Action help to remind us all that attending a football match should be accessible to all fans.’ Brian Lee, Chairman of the Football Conference.

“Everyone at the Ryman Football League supports the 2013 Level Playing Field Weeks of Action campaign. The campaign reminds us that watching sport should be accessible for everyone, and that there is no place for disability abuse. Sport should be inclusive and allow all fans to support their team together, free from discrimination.” Alan Turvey, Chairman, Ryman Football League

For many disabled people, the chance to watch or participate in sport is a welcome relief from the problems of day to day living, even for just a few hours. "That's why, I am fully supporting the Level Playing Field's Weeks of Action campaign and wish it every success." Kev Monks LPF Joseph Wratten Award Winner 2012

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

Some clubs and groups have already held their Week of Action events including:

Bolton Wanderers: during the Huddersfield match on the 2nd April handed out free Audio Programmes to supporters that included the Managers and Captains notes from the Huddersfield game along with information about the LPF Weeks of Action and services provided by Bolton Wanderers Football Club. Members of the Bolton Wanderers Supporters Association (BWDSA)also meet player Stuart Holden before the match.

On the 6th April the match day programme for the Wolverhampton Wanderers game again mentioned the LPF Weeks of Action and advertised the clubs new Disabled Supporters Working Group.

Chester FC: included an article on the 'Inclusive Blues in Action' in their matchday programme on the 6th April. The article celebrated the work disabled people do at the club from volunteering in the office, to selling matchday halftime draw tickets to coaching the youth squad.

Exeter City: highlighted the Weeks of Action on their website and matchday programme on the 6th April. The website article looks at the ECDSA and facilities at St James Park and can be viewed here or here on the ECDSA website.

West Ham Utd: had a disabled supporter with Down Syndrome come along to the West Brom game on 30th March to meet David Gold pitch side, other disabled supporters from the local community attended the game. The community Department also organised a football training session for a local people with Downs Syndrome.

Meanwhile other governing bodies, clubs and groups are telling us about their promotional events and activities during the Weeks of Action. Here are a few.

The FA will be promoting the LPF Weeks of Action in the news section of the FA Cup semi-final programmes. The FA Cup semi-finals are being held at Wembley on the 13/14th April.

Birmingham City: Will celebrate the Weeks of Action on the 4th May against Blackburn Rovers, activities include:

• DSA bucket collection before the match
• Players to wear LPF logoed T Shirts to warm up prior to the match
• DSA members to carry a banner out in front of teams onto the field of play with both the club and LPF logo on it
• DSA members to take part in half time chip and win competition
• Include a piece in their match day programme featuring the various events the BCDSC have conducted this season
• Display a piece on the Big Screen and will again use the LPF logo

Charlton Athletic DSA: are hosting a new website and quiz night, on the evening of 19th April at The Valley. The proceeds of this event will benefit the disabled supporters at Charlton and the Charlton Ability Counts scheme, who organise football matches for disabled players. More information can be found on www.sites.google.com/site/charltonathleticdsa

Featherstone Rovers and Gateshead Thunder: are including matchday programme features on the LPF Weeks of Action and their disability initiatives on the 28th April and early May respectively.

Sheffield United: are supporting the Weeks of Action on Saturday 13th April, activities include:

• A mention in the match day programme
• Big screen acknowledgement for Level Playing Field
• Welcome to members of Sheffield United disabled supporters clubs
• Tickets have been distributed to teams in the Sheffield and Hallamshire Ability Counts League
• Guard of Honour – St Wilfirid’s (charity supporting homeless and vulnerable) and Spartans FC (Ability Counts Team)

Wrexham FC: are celebrating the LPF Weeks of Action at their game against Kidderminster Harriers on 13 April. They're intending to raise awareness of the DSA and disability issues throughout the club by doing the following:

• Inviting a WST Board and a Club Board member to be a wheelchair user during the entire match
• Put a one page article about the DSA in the match programme
• Parade the WFC Disabled Football squad at half time
• Hand out DSA membership forms to interested fans coming through the turnstiles
• Produce and display a WFC DSA banner

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

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.

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.

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.