Level Playing Field for all

Both Ian Watmore and Sir Trevor Brooking are backing the Level Playing Field campaign, which starts this weekend and highlights disabled football supporter initiatives in stadiums around the country.

Run by NADS (National Association of Disabled Supporters), the Level Playing Field Weeks of Action run from 13 March to 28 March and gives clubs across all levels of the game an opportunity to showcase their work in supporting disabled football fans.

There are over 10m disabled people in the UK while research shows 30,000 football fans attend games every season.

England Internationals at Wembley Stadium allow access to over 300 wheelchair football fans and their companions, while there are 100 headsets available to visually impaired supporters who can follow the game through an exclusive commentary.

FA Chief Executive Watmore, said: “We are proud that the home of The FA, Wembley Stadium, is welcoming to disabled fans and believe that football should be accessible to all.

“On behalf of The FA, I wish the Level Playing Field campaign every success for 2010."

The FA's Director of Football Development, Sir Trevor Brooking, who is also patron of the Level Playing Field programme, added: “I am delighted to be able to support the annual NADS Level Playing Field campaign, which highlights the importance of social inclusion for all fans including disabled fans.

“I wish the National Association of Disabled Supporters every success in its ambition to see an equality of experience and access for all football fans.”

For more information on NADS, click here.