The Level Playing Field Weeks of Action 2014 campaign has received a large number of statements of support from accross the sporting world.
‘As President of Level Playing Field, I am delighted to support this year’s Weeks of Action campaign. We all have a responsibility to ensure that sport is truly inclusive and that naturally includes the many disabled spectators who are sports fans. I wish every success to everyone involved with this year’s events.’
David Bernstein, CBE, President of Level Playing Field
‘I am pleased to offer my full support to the Level Playing Field Weeks of Action once again this year. Many disabled people already enjoy sports as both participants and spectators and we must ensure that our venues are accessible and welcoming to all so that we can encourage a wider involvement in all aspects of sports in the future. Wishing LPF and its members another successful campaign.’
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, DBE, 11-time Paralympic Games gold medallist and Cross Bench Peer of the House of Lords
‘I offer my continued support to the Level Playing Field Weeks of Action campaign. The Weeks of Action enable clubs to celebrate and share the good work that they are doing to improve access to their stadiums for disabled supporters’.
Sir Trevor Brooking CBE, Patron of Level Playing Field Weeks of Action
‘I would like to congratulate the LPF for creating the Weeks of Action initiative, and all the clubs that participate in this very well supported annual event.
I cannot emphasise how important it is for clubs at all levels to embrace all it’s supporters; irrespective of their ability.
It was only because of the diligent & hard work done by the LPF; advising & encouraging clubs on how to provide good access, facilities & services that made visits to many stadiums viable for my son Joseph. On a Saturday afternoon he could be with his fellow supporters for 90 mins and feel the same as everyone else. That is how it should be. In his memory, I hope that one day, as a result of the efforts being afforded during the coming weeks, everyone will have the same opportunity.
Good luck to everyone taking part in the Weeks of Action. Whatever your club is doing to improve it’s facilities for disabled supporters like Joseph, I’d like to say ‘Thank you, it will be greatly appreciated.’
June Wratten, LPF Ambassador and head of LPF Awards
‘I am proud to be an Ambassador of Level Playing Field and since being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 18 years ago, I’ve discovered first-hand how difficult access can be. Disabled supporters should have equal rights to everything at a match and in choosing to support their team alongside their own fans. Here’s to another successful campaign.’
Danny Wallace – LPF Ambassador and ex-player Manchester United, Southampton and England
‘I am delighted to give my full support to Level Playing Field and the Weeks of Action as we all work to improve facilities for disabled fans. All sports must be inclusive and accessible to all including access to match tickets and the match day experience. And for me, football is a game I love and it should naturally be available to everyone. I wish this year’s campaign every success.’
Danny Mills, Level Playing Field Ambassador, TV pundit and ex-player – Manchester City, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Charlton, Hull City, Derby, Norwich and England.
‘A key aim of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund is to use money provided by the Premier League to make stadia, particularly at the lower levels of the game, comfortable and accessible for all.
I am therefore delighted to support Level Playing Field’s ‘Weeks of Action’, which allows clubs and fans alike to celebrate all of the good work that is being done in this area.’
Peter McCormick OBE, Chairman, Football Stadia Improvement Fund
‘On behalf of The FA, I am delighted to be endorsing the Level Playing Field Weeks of Action. A core goal of our work at Wembley Stadium, St. George’s Park and across the County FA structure is football for everyone.
It is important that the whole game comes together to make it as inclusive as possible. I wish the very best to Level Playing Field and everyone taking part this year, particularly the unsung volunteers helping to stage events.’
Greg Dyke, FA Chairman, The Football Association
‘The Ryman Football League supports the 2014 Level Playing Field Weeks of Action. The campaign reminds us that watching sport should be inclusive.’
Alan Turvey, Chairman, Ryman Football League
‘I am proud to offer my full support to Level Playing Field’s weeks of action as the charity continues to strive for equality for disabled sports fans with sporting events and venues inclusive and accessible to all. I wish everyone involved every success for this year’s campaign’
Richard Faulkner (Lord Faulkner of Worcester), LPF and Football Conference Vice President
‘As a new Vice President of Level Playing Field, with a long association in football, I am proud to support the LPF Weeks of Action. I am passionate about ensuring disabled people have equal access to live sporting events at all levels. Wishing everyone involved another successful season in promoting improved access for disabled fans.’
Chris Heaton- Harris MP, LPF Vice President
‘The Football League is committed to the Level Playing Field Weeks of Action and we are proud of our positive relationship with the organisation as we continue to work together to improve the experience of all disabled supporters at all our clubs.’
Andrea Brown, Customer Services Manager, The Football League
‘The RFL and the RFL Facilities Trust are delighted to support Level Playing Field’s Weeks of Action campaign. The RFL Facilities Trust is working closely with Level Playing Field and investing in audits to assess the quality of experience of disabled supporters at Rugby League stadiums. The Trust believes it is crucial that the sport of Rugby League is accessible and welcoming to all its fans. The Weeks of Action campaign will enable clubs to demonstrate the positive work they are doing to actively attract disabled supporters to their games and to offer them a great sporting experience’
Carol Doran, Facilities Manager, Rugby Football League
‘We are pleased to support the Weeks of Action campaign run by our friends at Level Playing Field. We have a great relationship with LPF, and fully support the role that they play in improving access for disabled people to live sporting events. The very best of luck for the Weeks of Action!’
Jean Bevan, Partner, Corporate Commercial at Bevan Kidwell (pro-bono legal services to LPF)
‘Sport plays a key role in many people’s lives and opportunities to attend sporting events should be available to all. Level Playing Field have been instrumental in assisting supporters with disabilities to access these kind of opportunities, in addition to working with relevant organisations to enhance the quality of facilities in stadiums throughout the UK.
In my position as Chairman of the Norwich City Disabled Supporters Association, the ongoing practical advice and assistance that we receive from Level Playing Field has been crucial in enabling us to start up and begin to establish our group.’
Ben Isles, Chair of Norwich City DSA
‘For many young disabled people an introduction to sport comes from going to games and enjoying the spectator experience as part of a crowd. The Level Playing Field campaign fits alongside Trailblazers ‘Game On’ campaign on access to grassroots sport. Stadiums need to put access at the heart of stadium design so that disabled fans have a choice of seating, and can sit with other fans. This year, we hope to see another successful Level Playing Field campaign which showcases the positive work clubs are doing.’
Tanvi Vyas, Trailblazers Project Manager
‘As a football supporter everyone should be able to support their team by going to games. All sports including football should be open to everyone. I support the 2014 Weeks of Action, as they help all involved in sport achieve this’.
Leroy Binns, Campaigns Assistant, Mencap
The National Deaf Children’s Society hopes Level Playing Field have a successful ‘Weeks of Action’ campaign. We have worked with LPF in the past on Disability Awareness projects and have seen first-hand what a positive impact this work has had on everyone involved. The LPF Weeks of Action reminds everyone that attending a sports event should be open to all.’
Hayley Jarvis, Inclusive Activities Manager, National Deaf Children’s Society
‘Attitude is Everything supports the work of Level Playing Field and wishes them every success for their “Weeks of Action” campaign. It is great to see sports clubs uniting to raise awareness and actively publicise how they have become more accessible to disabled people.’
Suzanne Bull MBE, Chief Executive Officer, Attitude is EverythingThe Department for Work and Pensions, Disability Action Aliance is also supporting the LPF Weeks of Action with a feature article on its website here.