The Level Playing Field Podcast: Recent Episodes
Level Playing Field
Level Playing Field is a UK based sporting disability charity that focuses on improving access and inclusion at all sporting stadia in England and Wales. This new monthly podcast will bring a variety of voices from the sporting community to discuss disability subject matters regarding sport.
In this episode, we delve into the essential work of Disabled Supporters Associations (DSAs) in this special episode for Volunteers' Week.
DSAs are dedicated groups formed by disabled sports fans to advocate for accessibility and inclusion within their respective clubs.
Join us as we speak with Diane from Chelsea, David from Hull City, Brian and Niraj from Brighton Hove Albion, and Simone from Coventry City, who share their experiences and insights on starting and running DSAs. From the motivations behind their initiatives to the challenges and successes they’ve encountered,
If you would like to know more about how to set up a DSA at your club or find out if your club has a DSA, please email info@levelplayingfield.org.uk or contact us via social media, X (Twitter), Facebook and Insta.
You can find out more about the DSAs that took part in today's episode via the links or emails below.
Chelsea DSA: chelseadsa@chelseasupporterstrust.com
Coventry City DSA: SkyBluesDSA@Gmail.com
Hull City DSA: Click this link to contact the DSA
Seagulls DSA (Brighton Hove Albion): seagulls.dsa@gmail.com
If you want to keep up to date with all the work Level Playing Field is doing, why not sign up as a free member via this link
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In this episode, Level Playing Field staff members reflect on the recently concluded Unite For Access campaign, exploring its impact on disabled sports fans, match day and non-match day activities and the future of the campaign.
You can watch this year's campaign video via this link or link below
https://www.levelplayingfield.org.uk/news-item/unite-for-access-campaign-film-spotlights-non-visible-disabilities/
If you want to keep up to date with all the work Level Playing Field is doing, why not sign up as a free member via this link
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In this Level Playing Field podcast episode, we explore the assistive technology 'Give Vision', a headset that brings the game closer to blind and partially sighted sports fans.
Fan Liaison Officer Liam Bird sits down with Joanna Liddington from Give Vision to uncover the origin and impact of this innovative tech.
Level Playing Field Chief Executive Owain Davies takes us to AFC Bournemouth, where supporters share their firsthand experiences using the Give Vision headsets.
Owain also spoke with Hannah Powis, Head of EDI and Engagement at AFC Bournemouth, and explored the broader implications of inclusivity within football clubs.
This episode is not an endorsement of the Give Vision headset.
If you want to know more about Give Vision, please click this link.
You can read a full transcript of this interview on the Level Playing Field website or click this link.
If you want to keep up to date with all the work Level Playing Field is doing, why not sign up as a free member via this link
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In today's episode, we are up in the foothills of the West Pennine Moors as we visit Bolton Wanderers at the unveiling of their Changing Places facility.
In this episode, our Fans Liaison Officer, Liam, talks to two families who have been advocating for the Changing Places facility to be installed for many years at the club as well as around the country.
Liam also talks to the COO at Bolton Wanderers, Phil Mason, about how the Changing Places facility came to be and the stumbling blocks in its way.
If you would like to know more about the Changing Places facility, please click this link
You can read a full transcript of this interview on the Level Playing Field website or click this link
If you want to keep up to date with all the work Level Playing Field is doing, why not sign up as a free member via this link
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In this captivating episode of the Level Playing Field Podcast, your host, Level Playing Field, Fans Liaison Officer, Liam, turns the spotlight onto an often misunderstood disability – Tourette's syndrome.
Guiding us through this exploration is Ione, a person with firsthand experience of Tourette's. But Ione's contribution goes beyond her personal journey; as the Advocacy Lead for Tourettes Action, she's at the forefront of advancing support and research for people with Tourette's in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Joining Ione is also Neve, who shares her experiences of navigating life with Tourette's. Joining Neve is her mother, Vicky, who also holds a post at Staffordshire FA.
Lastly, we also have Ed join the conversation, shedding light on his experience living with Tourette's and communicating through British Sign Language (BSL). Ed's mother, Liz, is on hand to ensure that Ed's thoughts and feelings are accurately conveyed to our audience.
If you would like to know more about the work of Touretters Action, please click this link or the link below.
https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/61-about-ta.html
You can read a full transcript of this interview on the Level Playing Field website or click the link below
https://www.levelplayingfield.org.uk/news-item/tourettes-focus-for-the-level-playing-field-podcast/
If you want to keep up to date with all the work Level Playing Field is doing, why not sign up as a free member via this link
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In this exciting episode, Level Playing Field Fan Liaison Officer Liam Bird speaks to Sandra Bentley.
Sandra is the Ambassador & Business Liaison Consultant for the highly anticipated new 'Disability Expo', scheduled for July 6th and 7th at Londons ExCeL Center.
We discuss initiatives, technologies, and passionate individuals coming together to be part of the Disability Expo to make live sports and day-to-day life more accessible for all.
If you want to keep up to date with all the work Level Playing Field is doing, why not sign up as a free member via this link.
he Level Playing Field Podcast continues its look at the women's game alongside 30,000 fans, to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United women's teams at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
While there, we spoke to several disabled supporters and personal assistants and got their views of the women's game from a disability perspective.
If you want to keep up to date with all the work Level Playing Field is doing, why not sign up as a free member via this link.
Over the coming weeks, the Level Playing Field Podcast will focus on the state of women's football when attending as a disabled football fan.
In this episode, we speak to Deborah Dilworth, the Head of Women's Football at the Football Supporters Association, also known as the FSA.
If you are listening to this episode before 11.59 pm on April 7th, you can participate in the Level Playing Field women's game survey via the link below.
- Level Playing Field Womens Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LPFWomensGame
You can learn more about Debs and the FSA work in the women's game via the link below.
- Womes Game Strategy: https://thefsa.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/FSA-Womens-Game-Strategy-2022-24.pdf
- Fans for Diversity x Women's Game: https://thefsa.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FSA-fans_for_diversity_x_womens_game.pdf
- FSA 2022 Women's Game Supporter Survey: https://thefsa.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/FSA-Womens-Game-Survey-2022.pdf
If you want to keep up to date with all the work Level Playing Field is doing, why not sign up as a free member via this link.
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For this special 'Unite For Access' podcast, we are in Wolverhampton, speaking to the award-winning TWS Podcast.
The TWS Podcast is hosted by autistic students from the Tettenhall Wood School, and we speak to two of the presenters, Alyssa and Tom, as well as their teacher Adam.
You can listen to the TWS Podcast via the link below
https://www.podpage.com/tws-sports-podcast/
We are at Fulham vs Wolves, speaking to one-half of the new Audio Description team at Fulham as well as Mark, a blind supporter who uses the service.
This interview took place on Fulham's dedicated Unite For Access match day.
If you would like to know more about attending a match day at Fulham as a disabled supporter, please visit Fulham Level Playing Field club page via the below link
https://www.levelplayingfield.org.uk/club/fulham/
If you would like to know more about Fulham Disabled Supporters Association, you can email fulhamdsa@gmail.com
Follow the Fulham Audio Description team on Twitter via the link below.
https://twitter.com/ADFulham
The World Cup seems like a lifetime ago... But it was only a few weeks ago, and in this episode, we speak to two supporters who made their way over to the Qatar desert.
In November, Level Playing Field spoke to Walea fan Ian Thomas who was attending his first major tournament. You can listen back to Ian via this link.
Ian is back to talk about his experience alongside Jo McNicol, an experienced traveller watching England and Spurs who attended the World Cup Final.
If you want to keep up to date with all the work Level Playing Field is doing, why not sign up as a free member via this link.
If you would like to provide feedback regarding your time in Qatar, please visit our friends at CAFE and drop them an email at info@cafefootball.eu.
For the past few weeks, Level Playing Field has been celebrating disability as part of Disability History Month.
We continue our celebration down at Brighton Hove Albion.
Fans Liason Officer Liam Bird takes a trip down to the south coast to meet up with Brighton super fan Ed Osborne for the first time after striking up a friendship born out of the COVID pandemic.
If you want to keep up to date with all the work Level Playing Field is doing, why not sign up as a free member via this link.
Wales fan Ian Thomas is going to Qatar. England fan Anthony Joy is not.
We all know about the controversy regarding human rights issues at this World Cup. But are the issues that face disabled supporters being spoken about enough?
Is there enough accessible information out there? What about accommodation? Are the stadiums fully accessible?
Fans Liaison Officer Liam Bird asks both sets of fans all the above, plus how they decided to attend this World Cup in the desert or not.
If you are in Qatar and would like to give feedback, please visit our friends at CAFE and drop them an email at info@cafefootball.eu.
If you want to keep up to date with all the work Level Playing Field is doing, why not sign up as a free member via this link.
Nav Johal, a Brentford season ticket holder and Giovanni Cinque, the Campaigns Manager at Colostomy UK, join Fan Liason Officer Liam Bird on this month's podcast to talk about attending football with a Colostomy and the difficulties of having a hidden disability.
You can find out more about Colostomy UK's work, including Stoma Friendly Toilets and their work with our sporting colleagues at CAFE, by clicking the relevant links.
If you want to keep up to date with all the work Level Playing Field is doing, why not sign up as a free member via this link. You can also follow the charity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Katie Pennick is the Campaigns & Comms Manager for the disability charity 'Transport For All'. She joins the Chief Executive of Level Playing Field, Owain Davies, on this month's podcast to talk about the accessibility of the UK public transport system and how it impacts disabled people daily, including on a match day.
You have until midnight, October 21st, to participate in the 'Transport For All' first national survey. You can take part in the survey via this link
If you want to keep up to date with all the work Level Playing Field is doing, why not sign up as a free member via this link. You can also follow the charity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
In this month's episode, we speak to 3 fans regarding the results of the Level Playing Field 'Away Fan Survey.'
The survey highlighted that the experience for many fans was not fit for purpose.
Bolton Wanderers supporters, mum and son Kayleigh & Jack, Grimsby Town supporter, Dean and Spurs supporter James all give their views on the survey and what needs to change to make sure that attending away match days improvise
If you want to keep up to date with all the work Level Playing Field is doing, why not sign up as a free member via this link. You can also follow the charity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
In this month's episode, we speak about the results of the 'Away Fan Survey'
A survey conducted by Level Playing Field into the away matchday experience for disabled fans, released on May 30th, The survey highlights that the experience for many fans is not fit for purpose.
For disabled football fans who travel large distances at considerable cost to attend away match days in England and Wales, a significant number are not getting what they pay for.
On the podcast, we have 3 members of staff from Level Playing Field
- The Chair - Tony Taylor
- Chief Executive - Owain Davies
- Daniel Townley - Development Officer
If you want to keep up to date with all the work Level Playing Field is doing, why not sign up to be a free member via this link. You can also follow the charity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
In this episode, we are turning our attention to sports media and ask the question, is disability being spoken about in the sporting press at the same level as the other protective characteristics? (Race, sexuality, gender.) or even at all?
Is it because there is a lack of disabled sports journalists, or is disabled just not a high priority in sports media?
To answer these questions, we have a round table of sports journalists in Nate Williams, Jordan Jarrett Bryan and Harry De Cosemo.
If you want to keep up to date with all the work Level Playing Field is doing, why not sign up to be a free member via this link. You can also follow the charity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
It's the last Level Playing Field Weeks of Action special episode, and we are in Blackpool!
The Blackpool Community Trust and Blackpool FC invited children from a local school to attend their Weeks of Action match day; for many, this was their first time attending a football game.
We spoke to 2 mums of children who were doing just that, stepping into the football unknown!
If you want to know more about attending a football game at Blackpool, please click this link.
If you want to know more about the Trust's work, please click this link.
If you want to keep up to date with all the work Level Playing Field is doing, why not be a free member via this link. You can also follow the charity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
The Level Playing Field Podcast goes into extra time as we continue this year's Weeks of Action campaign.
In this episode, we are at Tranmere Rovers speaking to...
- Christine Roberts, Head of Fan Engagement and Disability Liaison Officer.
- Andy, the Tranmere Rovers Disabled Supporters Association chair.
- Aidan, Tranmere and all-round football superfan.
If you want to know more about attending a football game at Tranmere Rovers, please click this link.
If you want to know more about the Tranmere Rovers Disabled Supporters Association, please click this link.
The Level Playing Field Podcast is at the Swansea.com Stadium to highlight Swansea City and the Swans Disabled Supporters Association's work to improve access and inclusion for their disabled supporters at the Welsh club.
In this episode, you will hear from Catherine Thomas, head of Fan Engagement and Disability Liasion Officer. Andrew Brayley, the Swansea Disabled Supporters Association chair, and Natasha, the mother of a young disabled Swansea City supporter.
If you want to know more about attending a football game at Swansea City, please click this link.
If you want to know more about the Swansea City Disabled Supporters Association, please click this link.
The Level Playing Field Weeks of Action campaign runs from February 26th till March 13th. To find out more, please visit the Level Playing Field Website.
The Level Playing Field Podcast is at Aston Villa to highlight the club's work to improve access and inclusion for their disabled supporters at the men's and woman's games!
In this episode, you will hear from supporters who attended the Aston Villa Woman's Weeks of Action game before zooming across the city to speak to a couple of Villa fans pre-match and the chair of the Aston Villa Disabled Supporters Association.
If you want to know more about attending a football game at Villa Park, please click this link.
If you would like to watch the Women's team play, please click this link
If you want to know more about the Aston Villa Disabled Supporters Association, please click this link.
The Level Playing Field Weeks of Action campaign runs from February 26th till March 13th. To find out more, please visit the Level Playing Field Website
The Level Playing Field Podcast is at Patrick Vieira's Crystal Palace to highlight the club's work to improve access and inclusion for their disabled supporters.
This episode will hear from Crystal Palace Disability Access Officer and Disability Liaison Officer and the fans themselves.
If you want to know more about attending a football game at Crystal Palace, please click this link.
If you want to know more about the Crystal Palace Disabled Supporters Association, please click this link.
The Level Playing Field Weeks of Action campaign runs from February 26th till March 13th. To find out more, please visit the Level Playing Field Website
In this special Level Playing Field Week of Action episode, the supporters take over the presenting role and talk about the purpose of the Weeks of Action campaign and how it can be a helpful tool to drive discussion regarding disability access and inclusion.
Your presenters for this episode are
- Amy Wilson - Everton supporter
- Jo McNicol - Tottenham Hotspurs supporter
- Anthony Joy - Arsenal supporter
If you would like to know more about the supporter's respective Disabled Supporters Associations, please click the links below.
Everton DSA
SpursAbilty
Arsenal DSA
The Level Playing Field Weeks of Action campaign runs from February 26th till March 13th. To find out more, please visit the Level Playing Field Website
It's that time of the year again; Level Playing Field Weeks of Action is fast approaching (That will make sense if you are listening to this episode on its release, if your listing to this in the summer, then you've got a little time to wait for the next campaign)
The Level Playing Field Weeks of Action campaign kicks off on 26th February till 13th March. Disabled sports fans, sports clubs, Disabled Supporters Associations (DSAs), and other partners across England and Wales will come together to celebrate disability access and inclusion and the immense power that attending live sport can have on a person's well-being.
Now that fans are back cheering on their team, Level Playing Field want to celebrate how crucial it is for all fans to have this opportunity no matter their disability and what clubs do to deliver this.
For the next few weeks, we will be releasing multiple podcast episodes to showcase the work that clubs across England and Wales are doing to celebrate this year's campaign and kick us off this series of episodes; we have the EFL's head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, David McArdle.
You can follow what sporting clubs up and down England and Wales are doing by following Level Playing Field social media channels
If you are already actively involved in this years campaign, don't forget to tag in LPF and use the hashtag #ForDisabledSportsFans.
It's December 27th 2021, and The Level Playing Field presenter and Fan's Liaison Officer Liam Bird has travelled to Greater Manchester to Altrincham to witness Audio Descriptive Commentary history! This will be the first time in England or Wales that a visiting team (in this case Wexham AFC) would provide its own Audio Descriptive Commentary (ADC) service to a home club as well as its travelling fans.
In this episode, Liam speaks to...
- Steve Gilbert: Chair of the Wrexham Disabled Supporters Association (DSA)
- Brian Flynn: Altrincham's Press and Media Officer
- Alan Fox and Alex Carter: AFC Wrexham Audio Descriptive Commentary team
- Neil and Lora Fachie: Paralympic Gold winning couple and Altrincham supporters benefited from the service provided for today's matchday.
Level Playing Field would like to thank Wrexham Disabled Supporters Association for informing the charity of this event. A special thank you to the staff of Altrincham for hosting us and letting us record audio on the match day.
If you would like to know more about Wrexham Disabled Supporters Association's work, please click this link.
Episode 14 is the last of the year, and in this episode, we will be focusing our time on the people in the high vis jackets—The Stewards.
The matchday steward plays a considerable part in all supporters matchday experience. Still, for some, their ability or sometimes inability to understand a person's additional requirements can be THE deciding factor regarding a positive or negative game day.
Our guests for this episode are
- Level Playing Field Development Officer - Daniel Townley
- Disability Steward at Cardiff City Football Club - Rachel Creek
- Tottenham Hotspurs supporter and member of SpursAbilty - James Horsley. You can find out more about SpursAbility via this link.
- And farther and son Bolton Wander's fans and Level Playing Field ambassadors- Morgan and Stephen.
If you want to keep up to date with all the work Level Playing Field is doing, why not sign up to be a free member via this link. You can also follow the charity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
In episode 13 of 'The Level Playing Field Podcast,' we turn our attention inwards!
The Level Playing Field team answers your questions.
Questions such as...
- How are Level Playing Field funded?
- Is it a mandate that all stewards be trained in disability?
- And, what is Level Playing Field doing to make attaining match day tickets more accessible?
If you would like to keep up to date with all the work that Level Playing Field is doing, why not sign up to be a free member via this link. You can also follow the charity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
In episode 12 of 'The Level Playing Field Podcast,' we turn our attention to Travel.
Disabled people travel up to a third less than non-disabled people, according to disability charity Scope. This has an impact on access to social activities like attending live sporting events.
In Greater Manchester, Less than 60% of train stations have step-free access. We speak to Manchester United supporter and Accessibility rights campaigner Nathaniel Yates who is trying to change that one step-free access at a time.
You can sign Nathaniel petition via this link.
From train to buses, we also speak with Richard Field, the Vice Chairman of the Jumbulance Trust.
Lastly, we talk to Jo and Jeff Newall, who have travelled up and down the country watching their beloved Mk Dons. They are both joined by former Disability Access Officer for Swansea's City and Swans super fan Mark Phillips to give an insight into the problems clubs can have trying to source accessible Travel for their disabled supporters.
If you would like to keep up to date with all the work that Level Playing Field are doing, why not sign up to be a free member via this link. You can also follow the charity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
All links referenced in the podcast can be found below.
- Nathaniel and Andy Burnham video
- Jumbulance
- SCOPE Transport for disabled people
Episode 11 of ‘The Level Playing Field Podcast' focuses on what went on behind the scenes at football clubs in England to welcome back supporters at the start of a chaotic season due to COVID.
Level Playing Field Fans Liaison Officer,Liam Bird, sat down with Rachel Brophy, the Disability Liaison Officer at Middlesbrough Football Club, and Luke Cassidy, the Disability Liaison Officer at Port Vale.
If you would like to know more about Level Playing Field's work, please click this link. You can also follow the charity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Please also go to rate and review on apple podcasts; it helps more people find the podcast.
Welcome to Episode 10 of 'The Level Playing Field Podcast'
In this episode, we look back to the distressing scenes witnessed and experienced by disabled supporters who attended the Euro 2020 final on the 11th of July at Wembley Stadium.
Our guests on this month's episode are:
- Graham and Tim Hiley. Both attended the game.
- Tony Taylor, Chair of Level Playing Field
- Nick Glynn Senior Program Officer, Open Society Foundation. Specialising in Policing and Justice (Nick spent 30 years in the police force)
If you would like to know more about Level Playing Field's work, please click this link. You can also follow the charity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Please also go to rate and review on apple podcasts; it helps more people find the podcast.
All links referenced in the podcast can be found below.
- Metropolitan Police statement
- The F.A statement
- UEFA statement
Welcome to Episode 9 of 'The Level Playing Field Podcast'
Seeing as football is not coming home, we thought we would focus our attention away from football.
Our guests on this month’s episode are:
- Team Brit Racing Driver, Andy Tucker.
- Globetrotting Cricket superfan, Anthony Joy
- Community Integrated Care's 'Director of Partnerships and Communities', John Hughes
If you would like to know more about Level Playing Field's work, please click this link. You can also follow the charity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Please also go to rate and review on apple podcasts; it helps more people find the podcast.
All links referenced in the podcast can be found below.
- Team Brit
- Community Integrated Care
Welcome to Episode 8 of 'The Level Playing Field Podcast'
In this episode, we focus on the very real, sometimes challenging and almost always a personal subject matter of disability abuse.
Our guests on this month’s episode are
- The Baroness Tanni Gray-Thompson
- Swansea City supporters Diane and Callum
- PC Stewart Bladen and PC Stuart Ward from the West Midlands Police Force Football Unit
If you would like to know more about Level Playing Field's work, please click this link. You can also follow the charity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Please also go to rate and review on apple podcasts; it helps more people find the podcast.
All links referenced in the podcast can be found below.
- What is disability hate crime? https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/hate-crime/disability-hate-crime/
- How to report disability hate crime https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/hate-crime/
- Online disability hate crimes soar 33% - https://www.leonardcheshire.org/about-us/our-news/press-releases/online-disability-hate-crimes-soar-33
- Over 7,300 disability hate crimes were reported to the police across England and Wales in 2019/20, yet only 1 in 62 cases actually received a charge. - https://www.leonardcheshire.org/about-us/our-news/press-releases/reports-violent-disability-hate-crime-continue-rise-number-police
Welcome to Episode 7 of 'The Level Playing Field Podcast'
In this episode, we bring you a round table discussion on the sometimes contentious subject matter of disability language and how it's used.
On the virtual round table, we have:
- Nicky Baker - Level Playing Field
- Warren Kirwan - Scope
- Izi Robins - Centre for Access to Football in Europe (CAFE)
- Stephen Miller - Newcastle United Disabled Supporters Association's (NUDSA)
If you would like to know more about Level Playing Field's work, please click this link. You can also follow the charity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Please also go rate and review on apple podcasts; it helps more people find the podcast.
All links referenced in the podcast can be found below.
- Scope: Feeling Awkward
- Leonard Cheshire: Words Hurt
Welcome to Episode 6 of 'The Level Playing Field Podcast'
In this episode, we bring you a round table discussion between several football fans to discuss the possibility of COVID Passports/Certificate and what the return of fans might look like.
We also turn our attention to this month's actions from The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to originally exclude and then strongly advise Clinically Extreamley Vulnerable people not to attend any government-led events research programs.
On the virtual round table are
- Mark Davis, the Chair of the Fulham Disabled Supporters Association Chair
- Peter Lerner, member of the Wycombe Wanderers Supporters Trust
- Amy Wilson, who is the Fans Liaison, Access and Administration Officer| Centre for Access to Football in Europe (CAFE)
- Alan Colley, a committee member at Leeds United Disabled Organisation, also know as LUDO.
- Kristine Green, who is the Supporters Liaison Officer (SLO) at Grimsby Town as well as the chair of Grimsby Town Supporters Trust - Mariners Trust
If you would like to know more about Level Playing Field's work, please click this link. You can also follow the charity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Please also go rate and review on apple podcasts; it helps more people find the podcast.
All links referenced in the podcast can be found below.
- Level Playing Field is very disappointed that ‘vulnerable’ people are once again exclude from attending live sport.
- Level Playing Field response to World Snooker Championship excluding ‘vulnerable’ people from attending
Welcome to Episode 5 of 'The Level Playing Field Podcast'
In this episode, we turn our attention to the viewpoint of non disabled supporters.
To be exact, how non-disabled supporters' trusts can support better access and inclusion for disabled supporters fans and how disability is viewed by clubs and non-disabled supporters.
Our guests for this month's podcast are Nottingham Forest Supporters Trust board members Lindsay Knott and Paul Severn, and the creator of the Fan Engagement Index and the Fan Engagement Podcast, Kevin Rye .
If you would like to know more about Level Playing Field's work, please click this link. You can also follow the charity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Please also go rate and review on apple podcasts, it helps more people find the podcast.
All links referenced in the podcast can be found below.
Kevin Rye Twitter
NFST Twitter
Iriss Digital inclusion, exclusion report
Welcome to Episode 4 of the new monthly 'The Level Playing Field Podcast'.
In this episode, we turn our attention inwards, because this month sees the start of Level Playing Field's 'Weeks of Action'.
You can be part of this year's celebrations from your home! We are asking all supporters to take a selfie of themselves in their team colours and to let us know, via social media, what you are missing about attending live sport. Simple!
Dont forget to use #AccsessForAll and tag in Level Playing Field into your image.
Our guests for this month's podcast are Middlesbrough supporter, Owen Swift, Tottenham Hotspurs DSA Chair, Jo McNicol, Former Minister for Sport and Member of Parliament for Chatham and Aylesford, Tracey Crouch, Wolverhampton Wanderers Disability Access Officer, Laura Wright and Notts County's Commercial and Fan Engagement Executive, Alice Kelk.
If you would like to know more about Level Playing Field's work, please click this link. You can also follow the charity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Please also go rate and review on apple podcasts, it helps more people find the podcast.
All links referenced in the podcast can be found below.
- Spurs DSA
- Middlesbrough DSA
Welcome to Episode 3 of the new monthly 'The Level Playing Field Podcast'.
In this episode, we turn our attention to the stigma attached to disabled sports fans attending live events as well as the stigma surrounding disability in general.
In this month's episode, our guests are Paul Glover, Disability Development Manager at the Albion Foundation, Marc Powell, Strategic Accessibility Lead at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Anne Hyde, Chairperson of Arsenal Disabled Supporters Association and Nicky Baker, Disability Access Officer at Level Playing Field.
If you would like to know more about Level Playing Field's work, please click this link. You can also follow the charity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Please also go rate and review on apple podcasts, it helps more people find the podcast.
All links referenced in the podcast can be found below.
- The Albion Foundation
- Arsenal Disabled Supporters Association
- RNIB
Welcome to the new monthly 'The Level Playing Field Podcast.'
In episode 2, we focus on the return of fans to stadia,
We speak to Rick Riding an inspector for the Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA) who have been working with the UK Government's to bring about guidance and guidelines for sporting clubs in England to open up to fans. Rick talks to us about the work that has been happing behind the scenes as well as what guidance has been given regarding disabled supporters.
The Fans Liaison Officer heads over to Norwich City where he witnessed what the return of fans looks like as he speaks to the 'Head of Operations & Projects' at Norwich City, Greg Pillinger about what fans can expect and a few hours before kick-off, Liam sits down with two disabled supporters about their thoughts of returning to Carrow Road.
If you would like to know more about the work that Level Playing Field are doing, then please click this link. You can also follow the charity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
All links referenced in the podcast can be found below.
- SG02: Planning for Social Distancing at Sports Grounds
- Fan Guide: Information for fans returning to Carrow Road
Welcome to the new monthly 'The Level Playing Field Podcast.'
In episode 1, we focus on the subject matter of the COVID Pandemic and how it has affected the sporting community on and off the field.
We speak to Dave Messenger, who is the Supporter Liaison & Disability Access Officer at Watford Football Club about the work the club has been doing to support disabled people and the broader community during this period of isolation.
Hayley Jarvis is Head of Physical Activity at the mental health charity MIND. We discuss how the suspension of attending live sport might have impacted our mental health and how we can all support each other during lockdown two and moving forward.
Finely, we speak to the Chair of Luton Town Disabled Supporter Association (DSA) Richard Hill and Vice-Chair of Charlton Athletic DSA, Tony Farrell about the impact that the COVID pandemic has had on them, their respective DSA and football as a whole.
If you would like to know more about the work that Level Playing Field are doing, then please click this link. You can also follow the charity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
All links referenced in the podcast can be found below.
- Level Playing Field COVID Fan Survey
- EFL & MIND: Have Your Mate's Back Project
- MIND, Mental Health Emergency Report
- Hornets At Home
- Charlton Athletic Existence "Under Threat
- Luton Town Fight For The Future
Welcome to this preview episode of the new Level Playing Field podcast.
This monthly podcast will bring a variety of voices from all over the sporting community to discuss disability subject matters regarding sport in England and Wales.
In this preview episode, we feature Level Playing Field Chairperson, Tony Taylor, Chief Executive, Owain Davies and Fans Liaison Officer, Liam Bird.
All three will discuss why the organisation has decided to create a new podcast and what you, the listener, can expect to come over the coming months.
If you would like to submit a subject matter that you would like the podcast to feature, then please email liam@levelplayingfield.org.uk.