Rotherham United has achieved Bronze in the EFL Equality Code of Practice.
The Millers’ award – which makes them one of only five clubs to achieve successful grading at the first attempt at the point of submission - comes after the club carried out a thorough process to review and improve all aspects of equality and diversity across all departments.
The measures which received commendation and contributed towards the grading included a review and update of the club’s incident reporting policies and also incorporated the implementation of a matchday reporting flowchart for supporters to utilise – which is available for fans to access HERE.
Not only has the club internally reviewed its approach to equality and diversity at great length, we are also proud to have an outward show of our commitment performed by our first team players ahead of each and every fixture. At the start of the campaign, club captain Sean Morrison and his teammates universally agreed that continuing to ‘take the knee’ before kick off would ensure that the issues of racism and discrimination would remain at the forefront of supporters’ mind and keep the conversation going on how we can eradicate them from both sport and every day society.
In addition to having a Disability Liaison Officer, the Millers are one of 15 EFL clubs to have a representative that is partaking in the inaugural cohort of Disability Access Officers who are working towards becoming accredited by the EFL.
The EFL Equality Code of Practice Bronze Award is a reflection of the Millers’ continued efforts to break down barriers for supporters from all demographics and ensure that AESSEAL New York Stadium is not only a welcoming environment on matchdays, but also an inclusive and supportive place to visit and work.
Events like the recent Iftar which was hosted at the stadium by the Rotherham United Community Trust go a long way to showing how AESSEAL New York Stadium is not just a football ground, but a hub for activity for people from all across the town.
Rotherham United’s Chairman, Tony Stewart said: “It is a fantastic achievement for us to have earned the Bronze Award for the Equality Code of Practice.
“This is a culmination of a host of work that has gone in behind-the-scenes – and continues to – across both the football club and its Community Trust.
“It is a tangible marker of the progress that we have made in this area, but we do not want to stop here. Our commitment to breaking down barriers for supporters and participants from the town is of paramount importance to us and will remain at the forefront of our priorities.
“We have an incredibly positive Access Audit which has been completed by Level Playing Field that we are constantly reviewing with their recommendations continuing to be implemented with the aim of ensuring that AESSEAL New York Stadium remains one of the most accessible stadia in the EFL.
“Achieving this award is not possible without complete commitment from everybody within the football club and Community Trust, from the Board of Directors to the first team staff and players – the latter of whom have had representation on the club’s internal ED&I steering group which reaffirms the strength of our Bronze Award.”
EFL Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, David McArdle said: “Our 72 Clubs represent people from a wide variety of diverse backgrounds and its absolutely vital that they are representative of those communities whether that be on the pitch, in the boardroom or in the stands.
“It’s particularly encouraging to see Clubs striving for excellence in this area and highlighting what can be achieved. Across the Leagues the progress being made is very encouraging and the EFL will continue to support and empower all Clubs to make a positive impact on their communities and the wider game.”
Initially launched in 2012, the EFL’s Equality Code of Practice was revamped to become a multi-level accreditation scheme at the start of the 2022/23 season, which will see every one of the 72 Clubs assessed on their EDI practices by the conclusion of the 2023/24 season.
The Millers want to continue to ensure that all supporters are able to have as positive an experience as possible every time they visit AESSEAL New York Stadium.
If you have any questions, queries or general feedback we would encourage you to contact our Disability Liaison Officer on dlo@rotherhamunited.net and they will endeavour to reply to you.
Rotherham United also have an active Disability Supporters’ Association – RUDSA – who you can contact on Facebook HERE or email on officialRUDSA@gmail.com
