On behalf of the entire LPF team we would like to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Peaceful New Year.

We would like to thank our partners, honorary officers, trustees, staff and volunteers and our members for their continued friendship and support. It has been a particularly busy year and we are proud of our achievements but recognise there is still a lot more to be done. With your help and support we will continue to represent our members and advise clubs and sporting bodies to ensure equal access to venues and enable many more disabled people to attend live sports events.

Please note: The LPF office will be closed from 3pm on Christmas Eve to 9am Thursday 2nd January 2014.

LPF is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Vice President Chris Heaton-Harris MP

Chris Heaton-Harris was elected as the conservative Member of Parliament for Daventry in May 2010. He is a Grade 5 qualified football referee having officiated at different levels for over 32 years and currently referees in the Northamptonshire Combination League. He is also President of Earls Barton Football Club. Chris is well known within football locally, nationally and internationally and it was his behind the scenes negotiations and common sense solution of allowing England players to wear poppies on their armbands that solved “Poppygate” in November 2011.

Chris sits on the Public Accounts Committee and the European Scrutiny Committee. He is Vice-Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Dance and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Football and plays for the Parliamentary Football team. Chris also constantly raises the problems surrounding Stillbirth in Parliament and is active in trying to get the National Health Service (and NICE) to offer the “selective dorsal rhizotomy” procedure free of charge. SDR is a life-changing operation that massively increases mobility for many children with cerebral palsy. For more information on Chris see here.

Chris joins a prestigious group of LPF Honorary Officers led by President, David Bernstein and Vice Presidents, Lord Faulkner of Worcester and Lord Richard Rosser of Ickenham. For more information about LPF’s Honorary Officers, please click here.

Derby County FC – LPF Centre of Excellence Award

Level Playing Field Trustees are delighted to award Derby County FC the “Centre of Excellence Award” for their facilities, commitment and services for disabled supporters.

Earlier this year LPF Access & Development Manager, Ruth Hopkins, carried out a full Access Audit of the stadium and the club’s policies and procedures and recommend that Derby County FC receive our highest award. The LPF Board was particularly impressed by the importance staff at all levels place on their disabled supporters and the club’s ongoing commitment to continually make improvements year-on-year.

This is only the third time an LPF Centre of Excellence Award has been presented and Derby County FC now joins Wembley Stadium and The Emirates Stadium (Arsenal FC).

LPF Chair, Joyce Cook OBE said “Level Playing Field is delighted to recognise Derby County FC. The club takes a very proactive stance on access and inclusion and proves just what can be achieved with some smart thinking and the right commitment to create an accessible and welcoming venue for all its fans. It’s important to remember that Pride Park was built pre-DDA but that hasn’t stopped the owners and staff in finding low cost solutions that provide a stadium fit-for-purpose and one that also makes good business sense. Many, many congratulations to everyone involved.”

To watch a clip about the facilities at Derby County FC click here.

Level Playing Field Awards 2012/13

We are pleased to announce the following awards and send our warmest congratulations to all the winners :

• The Joseph Wratten Award: Paddy Cronesberry, MBE, Middleborough DSA

• Volunteer Award: Jeanne Jones, Exeter City

• Club Employee Award: John Starkey, Birmingham City

• Recognition of Outstanding Contribution: Rugby Football League

• Recognition of Outstanding Contribution: Keith Marson (Derby County)

For more information on the award winners see here.

Plans are underway for the winners to receive their awards during the LPF Weeks of Action 2014 from the 15th to the 30th March. Please click here for information.

Nominations for the LPF Awards 2013/14 are now being taken. It’s not too late to nominate someone to celebrate the good work being done. Please click here for more information.

News in Brief :

David Bernstein appointed as the new chair of the British Red Cross please see here. 

Pride House and Football v Homophobia please see here.

Joyce Cook, OBE, LPF Chair appointed to the FA Inclusion Advisory Board panel please see here.

Fans Comments:

Recent comments received include :
• AFC Bournemouth
• Bristol City
• Bury
• Carlisle United 
• Charlton Athletic 
• Colchester United
• Crystal Palace 
• Morecombe
• Notts County 
• Oldham Athletic 
• Oxford United
• Sheffield Wednesday
• Southend United 

Please keep us updated about your match day experiences – both good and bad – and don’t hesitate to contact us if you need advice at any time: info@levelplayingfield.org.uk