The National League Proud To Support Level Playing Field

22 Feb 2024 By Tom Scott

The National League is proud to be participating in the national campaign ‘Unite for Access’ – a celebration of accessibility and inclusion for disabled football fans.

Over the years, the annual Level Playing Field campaign has seen hundreds of sports clubs, associations, organisations, and supporters, celebrate good access and inclusion throughout live sport.

But there’s still so much we can do. The most recent Level Playing Field fan survey found that 23% of disabled fans feel they are unable to attend certain sports or sporting venues because they are inaccessible.

The campaign will kick off for the National League on the weekend of 24 February, with all clubs encouraged to get involved and deliver meaningful change for disabled sports fans.

National League General Manager Mark Ives said: “Everyone should be able to attend live sports regardless of disability. As a League, we are committed to ensuring accessibility for all and commit to working with our clubs to improve.

“We know many disabled fans avoid watching their favourite sports team live because of the barriers they face in and around the ground. That’s why I encourage all supporters to engage with this important campaign but also with your club to ensure access and inclusion is on the agenda and at the heart of everything we do.

“We’re better when we work together. We’re calling on all our clubs and their supporters – disabled and non-disabled - to Unite for Access.”

Level Playing Field Chief Executive Owain Davies said: “We have been really pleased to see a commitment from the National League towards our Unite for Access campaign this year.

“It is important that disabled fans can go along and enjoy watching their team across all levels and this campaign celebrates the access and inclusion making that possible.

“We have had some very positive engagement from National League clubs this year and hope to see that grow. Now, we ask both disabled and non- disabled supporters to get behind these efforts, to help us make live sport truly inclusive.”

Official Vanarama National League broadcaster TNT Sports is also supporting the initiative - tomorrow's on-screen team Matt Smith, Adam Virgo and Scott Doe will all be wearing Unite for Access badges during coverage of Bromley's trip to Eastleigh.

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