Millers support disability cause...
Rotherham United Football Club is pleased to support the 2013 Level Playing Field (LPF) Weeks of Action. It provides us with a real opportunity to show what we have achieved for our disabled supporters, disabled supporters from other clubs and the wider local disabled community.
LPF is a campaigning and advisory organisation working on the behalf of all disabled supporters. Working to share good practice, raise awareness and promote improved access to sports stadiums for disabled fans and disabled people who aspire to attend live sporting events. LPF uses the unique voice of sport to improve access and inclusion for disabled people across a wider society by working alongside sports bodies and government.
The LPF Weeks of Action promote the need for an inclusive and equal experience for all fans, bringing together clubs and fans at all levels of the game. There is a lot of positive work going on around the sports world including work to tackle disability abuse in and around stadia and highlight disability awareness to fans. LPF hope clubs see this is an opportunity to highlight this work.
The Millers will be supporting LPF at the game against Fleetwood Town by inviting players from Rotherham United Disability FC. They will be given a free ticket for the game and will be celebrated pitchside.
Also, one of the mascots for the game will be Luke Bell. Luke is 11 years-old and has Cerebral Palsy. He plays for RUDFC Under 13’s, and has recently overcome two recent operations to get back on the football pitch. He is a big Rotherham United fan and says he can’t wait to walk out at New York Stadium.
Statistics provided by LPF state that more than 50% of disabled people in this country have not attended a live sports event or venue. Yet 1 in 4 families include a disabled person and 6 in 10 of the population know a disabled person closely. On the back of a very successful London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games it is clear that disabled people are an important part of sport in this country. It is now important that the legacy of these events is fulfilled and this extends to sports viewing as well as sports participation amongst disabled people.
LPF runs a yearly award scheme recognising people that have made a difference to disabled supporters. There are three awards: one for a disabled supporter who is an advocate for inclusion, secondly one a club employee who is proactive in solving issues for disabled supporters and finally one a volunteer who has encouraged the participation of disabled supporters. The awards are for the great work that they do, often working behind the scenes and without seeking the limelight. The 2013 awards are now open for nominating. It is easy to nominate - just send an email to: info@levelplayingfield.org.uk saying who you are nominating and why they would be a worthy winner.
In addition LPF offers a professional and cost effective Access Audit programme designed specifically tailored for sports stadia, venues and arenas with audits delivered by LPF Access Auditors.
Level Playing Field would like to thank Rotherham United for supporting this annual initiative.
The LPF Weeks of Action run from the 6th to the 21st April 2013. For more information about Level Playing Field, the Weeks of Action to join them or sign up to receive their newsletters, you can go online to www.levelplayingfield.org.uk, email info@levelplayingfield.org.uk or call them on 01244 893584.