LPF Weeks of Action come to a close

As we enter the final weekend of this season’s Level Playing Field Weeks of Action, we are pleased to include some of the events successfully hosted so far:

Arsenal receives LPF Centre of Excellence award as part of the Weeks of Action.

Arsenal Football Club has been recognised by Level Playing Field for demonstrating high standards in accessibility and providing a fully-inclusive experience for disabled supporters. Lord Rosser, Vice President of Level Playing Field accompanied by Mike Elkerton , Level Playing Field’s Access Auditor presented the award to John Beattie, Stadium and Facilities Manager, Alun Francis Disability Liaison Officer, Caroline Lemmon and Jackie Pollard, Disability Liaison Team at Arsenal's home game on the 13th April. For the full story see here.

WBADSC Open Day

Gareth McAuley was last week named the West Bromwich Albion Disabled Supporters' Club's Player of the Year. The central defender received his award as the club laid on the 11th annual open day for the WBADSC.

In keeping with tradition, Steve Clarke switched training to The Hawthorns to enable around 70 WBADSC members, plus 30 representatives from Sporting Club Albion’s disability section, to watch a full session from the East Stand's disabled facilities.

The supporters were treated to a meal in the Richardson Suite before meeting the coaching staff and entire first-team squad who signed autographs and posed for photos. For the Full story see here.

Success for Wolves Disabled Supporters Association

Wolves Disabled Supporters Association (DSA), in partnership with Wolves, organised a special event on Saturday 13th April 2013, prior to the home fixture versus Huddersfield.

It was held in support of Level Playing Field’s (LPF) weeks of action, the campaign run by the respected and long-established charity, which promotes good access for all fans.

All Wolves’ registered disabled supporters were invited to attend.

Wolves’ Vice-President and Wolves’ DSA Honorary President, Baroness Rachel Heyhoe Flint OBE and Wolves’ legend, Matt Murray, were in attendance in the North Bank Bar, Stan Cullis Stand. Some 35 -45 disabled supporters, their families and helpers were provided with a free programme and free drink, courtesy of Wolves.

They had the opportunity to socialise and ask questions to the guests, DSA members and generally meet with fellow supporters. They were informed of the DSA ethos, the plans for a DSA website, Facebook and Twitter accounts, forthcoming meetings, how to become DSA members and how LPF were the catalyst in the formation of Wolves DSA. For the full article please see here.

Sheffield United supports Level Playing Field Weeks of Action

As part of the on-going work to support their Intermediate Equality Standard the Blades supported the Level Playing Field ‘Weeks of Action’ with the game against Swindon as their nominated match.

Sheffield United invited teams from the Sheffield and Hallamshire Ability Counts League to come to the game as well as representatives from other groups with which they work to promote inclusion.

To further acknowledge Level Playing Field the Guard of Honour was done by members of Spartans FC and St Wilfrid’s wearing special Level Playing Field T shirts. To read more click here.

Blackburn Rovers celebrate LPF Weeks of Action

Blackburn Rovers celebrated the LPF Weeks of Action with a two page feature in their match day magazine on the 13 April, together with a slide used on the big screen.

Blackburn Rovers invited some of the families from the Altogether Club (some of whom had never been to a football match before) to attend the match on the 13th April Before kick-off they met some of the players and had an opportunity to get autographs and take photographs at the side of the pitch, before watching Rovers play Derby County. For more information click here.

Wrexham FC DSA celebrate the LPF Weeks of Action

Wrexham FC celebrated the Level Playing Field Weeks of Action at their game on the 13th April against Kiderminster.

In addition to having a Trust Board member be in a wheelchair throughout the match. The DSA football team were introduced to the crowd at half time (with the FA Trophy). The DSA team also took part in the fans annual end of season 8-a-side football tournament at the Club's training ground earlier that day.

The DSA Guiding Principles and article on the DSA were included in the match programme. To read the article click here.

MK Dons held its third Ability Counts Big Day

 MK Dons held a very successful third Ability Counts Big Day with over 300 members of their disability teams taking part pre-match in a tournament at their training ground. The players then made their way to stadium mk with complimentary tickets provided by the club to enjoy the match.

A guard of honour was also provided by the MK Dons disability teams, with the matchball being walked out by Josh Norje, one of there leading youth disability players. For the full story see here.

The LPF Weeks of Action are not over yet, they finish on the 21st April, so it is not too late for your club or group to do something over the coming weeks. If you want us to advertise what your club/ group has done to celebrate the Weeks of Action please contact us on info@levelplayingfield.org.uk or 01244 893584.

There are still some clubs/ DSA’s celebrating the event this coming weekend including Charlton Athletic DSA and Fulham.

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

Fulham: are celebrating the LPF Weeks of Action on the 20th April, with a double page spread in their matchday programme and promoting their foundation venture called ‘Action Autism’.

Both Birmingham City and Tottenham Hotspurs are holding Week of Action events on the 4th May.

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

Tottenham Hotspurs: Will celebrate the Weeks of Action on the 4th May at their home game against Southampton. Details of the events are still coming together.

Other clubs still to promote the Weeks of Action include Featherstone Rovers and Gateshead Thunder who are including matchday programme features in forthcoming matches on the Weeks of Action and their disability initiatives.

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 write to us at the following address:
LPF, c/o CAFE, Regus House, Herons Way, Chester Business Park, Chester CH4 9QR.