Walsall FC and Walsall Disabled Supporters Association (DSA) celebrated Weeks of Action 2018 #OurMatchday on 6th March 2018 at their home match against Rochdale. The match was used to promote the newly established Disabled Supporters Association.
Walsall FC DSA aims to be a voice for all disabled Walsall supporters and, through working alongside the club, enable them to have a positive match day experience home and away. The DSA also aim to bring the Walsall disabled supporters into one social group with their family and friends. The DSA liaises regularly with the Disability Liaison Officer at the club and has support from Level Playing Field.
Walsall DSA have already been working with the club to improve the matchday experience and their achievements so far include:
- Specific information for disabled supporters added to away match information put out by the club and also on the DSA’s social media (Twitter, Facebook and Website).
- DSA now have their own notice board by the accessible toilets in the family stand.
- Discussions are ongoing with the club over a specific jacket for the Disability Steward.
- Disabled parking and the provision of a warm room for disabled fans with the match relayed by TV if needed.
The group posed for various photos and were also joined by club mascot Swifty the Bird and a Minion.
Level Playing Field Projects Coordinator, Kieran Reynolds said, “I would like to thank Walsall FC and Walsall DSA for supporting Weeks of Action. We have really enjoyed working with them to establish the DSA and I would like to congratulate them for everything achieved so far. This is an exciting time for disabled Walsall supporters and we look forward to continuing our positive relationship with the club and DSA”.
Walsall Disability Liaison Officer Laura Greenhouse said, ‘It has been really insightful being in regular contact with the members of the DSA. We hope that it will help to build a strong relationship between us as a club and our disabled supporters and in turn improve the matchday experience for both home and visiting disabled fans and their families and friends.’
Walsall DSA’s Joanna Sainsbury said “The DSA are excited to work alongside the club to achieve the best facilities and support for disabled fans. We are looking forward to increasing our membership and having our first social event.”
16.3.2018