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Level Playing Field

March 2016 E-Newsletter

Welcome to Level Playing Field

LPF is a registered Charity in England and Wales which acts as a campaigning and advisory organisation to its membership and other parties across all sports. www.levelplayingfield.org.uk

Weeks of Action 2016

This year’s Level Playing Field Weeks of Action campaign will take place from the 2nd – 17th April 2016.

LPF’s Weeks of Action were established in 2005 to help highlight the positive initiatives undertaken by clubs, sporting venues and their governing bodies in partnership with disabled sports fans and disabled supporters associations.

LPF is pleased to be aligning this year’s campaign with the Centre for Access to Football in Europe’s week of action – Total Football Total Access which will see a range of activities and initiatives taking place across Europe.

‘Disabled people are the largest minority group’

At least 15% of the UK population is disabled - a figure that is increasing year on year - with disabled people constituting the largest minority group. It can be reasonably assumed that many disabled people will be sports fans who attend, or aspire to attend live sports events.

The 2016 LPF Weeks of Action aims to celebrate access and inclusion and to highlight the social, economic and reputational benefits of providing accessible venues and inclusive matchdays for all sports loving fans.

Thank you for your continued support and please do get involved so that we can together make this year’s Weeks of Action an even greater success.

Please visit our website for more information and suggested activities.

FIFA Extraordinary Congress approves reforms to include disability as a protected characteristic

At the FIFA Extraordinary Congress on 29th February 2016, reforms were overwhelmingly approved that will see disability included as a protected characteristic within its Statutes.

The reforms to Article 4, in relation to prohibiting discrimination, were approved with almost 90% of national associations eligible to vote in favour.

Read more

David Bernstein appointed as Board Member at Aston Villa

LPF President David Bernstein CBE has been appointed as a Board Member of English Premier League club Aston Villa.

David is a vastly experienced football director having previously served as Chairman of the Football Association, Wembley Stadium and Manchester City FC. David is also the Chairman of LPF's European partner, Centre for Access to Football in Europe (CAFE).

Read more

BBC Inside Out: Football League clubs 'failing to meet disabled guidelines'

A regional BBC Inside Out (East Yorkshire & Lincolnshire) report has found that only 2 clubs, Rotherham United and Huddersfield Town, exceeded the minimum requirement of wheelchair user spaces in the region.

Joshua Gardner, a wheelchair user and football fan visited several clubs to learn how accessible they were, and to speak to disabled fans themselves. For the full story and to watch the article please visit the BBC website

Details of Welsh Regional Forum

We are delighted to announce details of the Welsh Regional Forum which is being organised by Newport County AFC Disabled Supporters Association with support from Level Playing Field.

This is a great opportunity for Disabled Supporters Associations and club representatives to exchange views, policies and practices concerning their respective clubs and associations.

Time: 1pm - 4pm (Delegates are asked to arrive at 12.30)

Venue: Rodney Parade, Newport County FC

Please RSVP to Kieran Reynolds - kieran@levelplayingfield.org.uk

This will be the second Regional Forum established during the Working Together project - Portsmouth FC host inaugural South Coast Regional Forum

Level Playing Field - Working Together Project

Young disabled fan wins Everton goal of the month

A 9-year old disabled fan has won Everton FC's Goal of the Month competition for January 2016.

George Shaw, who has cerebral palsy, was invited to Everton's match against Swansea by Spanish international midfielder Gerard Deulofeu. after seeing a video on Twitter of George playing football. At half-time George scored a goal when invited on to the pitch, which then went on to receive 86% of the votes in the club's Goal of the Month competition.

A young disabled fan has sent a message to Southampton FC asking them to install a Changing Places toilet facility so that he can attend games at Saint Mary's Stadium and support his beloved team.

Hadley, 5, would love to see his team play, including his favourite player Sadio Mane, but with no Changing Places facility currently installed at the club, he is unable to attend matches.

Read more & watch video here

News in Brief

FSF Blog: Sunderland pave way in sensory access

Powerchair footballer urges disabled fans not to feel anxious about coming to football matches at the Amex Stadium

Reds' disabled facilities inspire Parliament action

Fan Comments

Northampton Town

Manchester City

Leeds United AFC

Birmingham City

Nottingham Forest

Brentford

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Follow us on Social Media

Are you following us on Social Media yet? Stay up to date with all the latest news and developments at Level Playing Field by following us on Social Media. We update these regularly with new content and is a great way to keep up to speed with all that is happening in the world of access and inclusion.

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LPF Access Audits

LPF provides a professional programme of audits carried out by NRAC accredited Access Auditors with an increasing number of clubs and venue owners commissioning an LPF audit. Read more information on a LPF Access Audit and how to commission one here.