EHRC Business Plan 2014/15
Level Playing Field is delighted to see the recent announcement from the Equality and Human Rights Commission of their 2014/15 Business Plan and their priority work focuses on protecting people most at risk.
2.1.3 Increasing participation of under-represented groups in sport:
Some groups, particularly women and girls, Asians and Muslims and disabled people, have disproportionately low rates of participation in sport - as players, spectators, volunteers, officials and employees. Sport has an important role in health, social interaction and inclusion and can help build skills and self-confidence which can help people succeed in other areas of life.The EHRC want to address the barriers which prevent people participating, including by improving the physical and cultural accessibility of sporting venues and tackling discriminatory attitudes and behaviours.
LPF is looking forward to supporting the EHRC and the Sports Governing Bodies on this programme of work. To see the full Business Plan click here the relevant section can be found on page 17.
Level Playing Field 'Weeks of Action' 2014 Review
The 2014 Level Playing Field Weeks of Action took place from the 15th to the 30th of March, with activities also taking place before and after the main fortnight to fit in with the clubs’ own calendars and we are happy to hear about any events still being arranged.
This was a fortnight when there was a real opportunity for clubs/ organisations to highlight the work that they do for their disabled supporters. We were excited by some of the initiatives taken up and are pleased to report on some of the events hosted so far.
Derby County: Derby County Community Trust held a pre-match Cerebral Palsy Football Event, prior to the Derby v Charlton match on the 29th March. A Derby County Disabled Supporter, David, provided a ‘ Match Day’ - in the Life of…article, in the programme discussing the excellent facilities for disabled supporters at the iPro Stadium.
Exeter City: ECDSA chairman, ECFC DLO and LPF Trustee Nick Saunders presented Jeanne Jones with her LPF 'Volunteer of the Year' award at their home match on 22nd March (ECFC vs. Fleetwood Town). On hearing of being awarded the LPF ‘Volunteer of the Year Award’ Jeanne said “I am delighted to be winning this award. I really enjoy being involved at Exeter City FC and helping out where I can but I couldn’t do what I do without the help of the many other volunteers and staff at the club together with my husband David”. For more information please see the ECDSA website here.
Exeter City and ECDSA organised an members event at the Exeter City training ground (Cat & Fiddle) for members to attend a Players Training Session and meet the manager and players.
Gillingham: asked a disabled supporter, James Barnes, a partially sighted 20-year-old season ticket holder who travels home and away to watch the team, to share his thoughts on listening to the audio commentary. The article can be found on the Gillingham website here.
Liverpool: LFC hosted a friendship match to celebrate its commitment to equality and inclusion in celebration of LGBT month and the Level Playing Field Weeks of Action. Liverpool FC's Ability Counts team took on Mersey Marauders FC at the Academy.
Michelle Kirk, LFC’s equality and inclusion advisor, said: “As a Club we ensure that we encourage an inclusive atmosphere for all fans, regardless of the colour of their skin, disability, ethnic origin, religious beliefs or non beliefs and sexual orientation.”
“We are proud to work with LGBT History Month and Level Playing Field to help remove discrimination and prejudice, and promote the message that everyone should be able to enjoy football.”
Newcastle United: A 50-strong party representing the Newcastle United Disabled Supporters Association (NUDSA) travelled to Hull City recently, supporting LPF Weeks of Action.
The trip was identified as the most suitable away trip to attend for its disabled supporters. It was funded by the club under Premier League Away Fans Fund. To read the full article on the Newcastle United website click here.
Plymouth Argyle Disabled Supporters Association (PADSA): arranged a Fan Fest / 5th Birthday Celebration for its members on Saturday March 15 and at their home game later that day to highlight the LPF Weeks of Action. For the birthday party PADSA organised a free lunch and entertainment which included a visit from team players, the Chief Executive Martyn Starnes and the stadium manger. Photos from the PADSA Fan Fest/ 5th birthday celebrations are available here.
West Ham United: West Ham United's Stewart Downing visited Dycorts School recently, the school caters for pupils of moderate learning difficulties dozens of the pupils had prepared questions for the player. Downing soon divulged his soft spot for the Coronation Street cobbles, while also naming the Kings of Leon as his favourite band. There was no shortage of football chat either. To read more click here.
To read about activities that are taking place over the coming weeks including West Bromwich Albion’s annual open day for the disabled branch of their official supporters’ club, activities at Sheffield United and Birmingham City see here.
Please do tell us what you are planning or send in reports and photos of your events to info@levelplayingfield.org.uk or call us on 01244 893584.
Fans Comments
Below are some fans comments we have received since March 2014:
• AFC Wimbledon
• Arsenal
• Cardiff City
• Mansfield Town
• MK Dons
• Portsmouth
• Reading
• Sheffield United
• Sheffield Wednesday
• Swindon Town
• Tranmere Rovers
• Walsall
To leave your own comment on a stadium you have visited go to our website www.levelplayingfield.org.uk and select the club/venues tab and click on the relevant club. If you require any assistance or would like some more information please contact us via info@levelplayingfield.org.uk or on 01244 893584.
News in Brief
Following the debate on 19th March on the Olympic and Paralympic Legacy Committee please see a letter to Lord Harris of Haringey from Lord Bates here which addresses ‘Access to Facilities’ and the government’s plans in this area.
The full BBC News Story ‘Premier League clubs warned over needs of disabled fans’ can still be seen on our website here.
Presenters Pool Recruitment- Trailblazers are getting commissions to make accessible tourism videos in partnership with GeoCast tv. If you are interested in being a presenter, please send video links directly to Martyn Sibley at martyn@martynsibley.com.
Rica Accessible Public Transport Guide see here.
Dosh report: access to banking for people with a learning disability see 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 write to us at the following address:
LPF, c/o CAFE, Regus House, Herons Way, Chester Business Park, Chester CH4 9QR.