The Queens Park Rangers Disabled Supporters Association (DSA) launch event took place on 6th March 2018 during their match against Derby County.
The DSA were invited onto the pitch at half time and unveiled their new DSA flag. The launch was attended by Sports Minister Tracy Crouch; Level Playing Field Chief Executive, Owain Davies and Projects Coordinator, Kieran Reynolds and was organised to coincide with Level Playing Field’s Weeks of Action.
QPR DSA represents and provides all disabled supporters with a voice. Its aim is to assist with any queries, to work with the club to improve accessibility and disabled facilities at Loftus Road and enhance the matchday experience for disabled fans. The DSA was set up with support from Level Playing Field.
Level Playing Field Projects Coordinator, Kieran Reynolds said, “I would like to thank the team at QPR for organising the event and their ongoing commitment to our topic. We really enjoyed the evening and I would like to thank to QPR DSA committee for everything they have achieved so far. This is a positive step towards making QPR a more accessible and inclusive football club. We are looking forward to continuing our positive relationship with the club and DSA and believe that this is great news for all disabled supporters at QPR”.
QPR Facilities and Operations Manager, Josh Scott said, “I was delighted to help launch our new Disabled Supporters Association at a recent league fixture against Derby County on Tuesday 6th March. Since the initial DSA committee was formed in July 2017, the group have worked tirelessly to establish themselves with their fellow R’s fans and get to a point in which they can start accepting new members.
For QPR it was vital that we had a supporters association that could represent disabled fans and carers at our regular supporter consultations, while providing continual feedback to the club across a range of matters. Looking forward we will look to involve the DSA to get feedback on our current accessibility and how we can improve, away matchday experiences and in particular what they would like to see from a new stadium. While we accept that there are accessibility issues we cannot change at Loftus Road, it is vital we get the opinion of the DSA and their members on what a new stadium would mean to them and how we can best cater to all fans.”
Julie Hampton from QPR DSA said “Great to see the DSA recognised by the club. Even better to get applause when we carried the flag over to our Vice Chair Oliver Green. We are doing this as one”.
A video of the launch and an video interview with LPF’s Kieran Reynolds and QPR DSA’s Julie Hampton and can be watched below.
Photo by Andrew Fosker / BPI/REX/Shutterstock
Video property of Queens Park Rangers Football Club.
9.3.2018