Last season’s Weeks of Action celebrations were cut short by the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, leaving the charity with no option but to cancel the third and final week of the campaign. Despite the challenges faced with the immediate cancellation of sport, LPF still managed to register record figures in its 17th consecutive season celebrating Weeks of Action.
Covid-19 has left us all still unable to attend stadiums to watch our favourite sport teams live, eight months after its initial suspension. We had hoped to see a gradual return of supporters to stadia in October before the UK Government performed a U-turn on original plans to see a select number of fans allowed entry. LPF worked closely with the SGSA (Sports Ground Safety Authority) to bring disabled fans the latest plans around re-visiting stadiums, and what supporters could expect with the new protocols in place introduced alongside government guidelines.
With the unfortunate news that these plans would not be going ahead in October
and all pilot events were to be postponed, we are still unsure when we will next see
spectators attend fixtures again. LPF work hard to resolve any social, attitudinal, or environmental barriers that may limit, or prevent disabled sports fans from visiting stadiums to watch live sport. The impact of Covid19 has resulted in a barrier on sport itself and its fans globally. We have all experienced the impact of life without live sport and for a lot of disabled fans, having a sport or a team to follow and watch live means everything. For that reason, LPF will continue to support Clubs, Leagues, Governing Bodies, and other Organisations by going ahead with this season’s Weeks of Action.
It is impossible to predict what sport and especially football will look like in February 2021, therefore as things stand, this seasons Weeks of Action campaign will take place virtually. LPF and its staff have plenty of ideas and plans in the pipeline to make its 18th campaign as special and enjoyable as previous years, so stay tuned!
Owain Davies, Level Playing Field CEO:
“The pandemic will undoubtedly change how we deliver Weeks of Action in 2021. We have seen clubs during the past 8 months be there for their community and it is important that we continue to celebrate good access and the good work that has been and continues to be done up and down the country.
We are looking forward to working with Clubs, Fans, Disabled Supporter Associations and other stakeholders to drive the message of access for all.”
