In what has been a life-changing year for us all, we’re met with a bitter-sweet feeling as we head into another football campaign. The suspension of all sport during the 2019-20 season left the majority of us feeling isolated, doubtful and wondering what to do with our weekends and evenings. With everything that’s gone on, we can finally take some comfort in being back to watching (a lot) of sport, albeit at home in front of the television instead of on the terraces.
We’re all desperate to get back to our matchday routines; spotting the roof of the ground on your way to the game, popping in the local for a pre-match pint, taking in the smell of burning onions from the burger stalls, buying a programme as you reach the turnstiles. It’s all part of it, and one day, we’ll be back.
But for now, we have to live with the latest restrictions. It’s looking increasingly unlikely fans will be returning to stadiums this year, with original plans in place for test events in October pushed back. That’s why until we can get back to some stage of normality, we’ll be doing our best to keep you entertained with our free membership!
What benefits can you expect?
Weekly newsletters
To help keep you occupied on the weekends, we’ll be circulating a newsletter every Saturday morning to give you something to read on the lead-up to kick-off; our version of a matchday programme if you like!
This newsletter will be made up the week’s best Level Playing Field content to ensure you don’t miss a thing in the world of disabled sports fans.
We’ll also be updating fans with upcoming forums, zoom video calls and other events available to both exclusively to our members as well as the public.
Are you a Fantasy Premier League manager? We have weekly updates from the Level Playing Field league in this newsletter; join in the fun with league code s7eayh.
Quarterly newsletters
Level Playing Field offer three types of membership. The default ‘Fan Membership’ that’s for everyone that wants to keep up with Level Playing Field and all things disability. The Fan Membership newsletter focuses on the matchday experience from a fan’s perspective. Newsletters will share interviews and experiences of disabled fans around their matchday, along with other relevant news articles, campaigns and events.
Our second option is the DSA newsletter, suitable for those involved with Disabled Supporter Associations. This membership type focusses primarily on DSA’s and the latest relevant information. The quarterly newsletters come from our Fans Liaison Officer, Liam Bird, and focuses on supporting DSA growth and development by sharing best practice case studies. There will also be advice and ‘how to’ guides provided.
The third membership type is the Club, Governing Body and other Organisation membership. This specific membership type is aimed at those working in the disability/operations departments at Clubs or other Organisations, for example, Disability Access Officers, Disability Liaison Officers, Operation Officers etc. This newsletter shares good practice from clubs, governing bodies and organisations that enhance access and inclusion for disabled fans.
Each membership type receives a bigger quarterly newsletter containing information relevant to that membership type. Below is the 2020/21 newsletter schedule:
Other key member benefits:
- Access to independent, expert advice and guidance on access and inclusion issues
- Opportunity to feedback on Access and Inclusion through LPF’s annual survey
- Invites to take part in LPF events such as our annual Weeks of Action and regional/national forums
- Opportunity to network with other disabled fans, fan groups and disability/sports organisations
- Opportunity to work alongside LPF’s Membership Steering Group and input your ideas
- Membership Certificate
- It’s free to be a member
Level Playing Field are continuously working hard to improve our membership programme especially through this period of uncertainty surrounding the return of fans to stadiums.
How to join – it’s easy!
Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for a Level Playing Field membership
1. Download a membership application form suited to you.
- Fan Membership 2020/21 Application Form
- DSA Membership 2020/21 Application Form
- Club Membership 2020/21 Membership Form
2. Complete membership form.
3. Send completed form to ben@levelplayingfield.org.uk.
4. Once your membership is processed, you will be a Level Playing Field member!
It’s as easy as that – however, if you have any questions or are having trouble setting up your membership, please email ben@levelplayingfield.org.uk.
Be a part of the journey – #MakeYourVoiceHeard.