The period of the 18th April to 3rd May 2015 is a Level Playing Fields week of Action. Level Playing Fields seeks to ensure equal access to sports for all, irregardless of their disabilities or needs. To mark the event the Disabled Supporters Organisation of Sheffield United FC invited the newly formed Bantams Disabled Organisation to meet with them prior to City's Sky Bet League 1 clash at Bramall Lane last Saturday (18th April).
The Blades Disabled Supporters group arranged for a presentation and exchange of pennants on the pitch prior to kick off. There was also a parade of both sets of Disabled supporters around the ground at half time. The presentation and the pitch side parade were warmly welcomed by both sets of fans, with applause rippling around the ground as members of the two clubs disabled organisations made their way around the ground.
The Bantams Disabled Organisation is particularly pleased with the warm welcome, coming just a week after the launch of our Disabled Supporters Organisation.
Chair of Bantams DO, Kate Eveleigh said: "As a new group, we are always looking for opportunities to interact with other similar groups and support campaigns such as LPF Weeks of Action. We were very pleased to be invited to participate in the events at Bramall Lane on Saturday, and all our members enjoyed themselves."
Members of Bantams DO were very impressed by the welcome that was received:
“Meeting the Sheffield United Disabled Organisation and walking parading around the pitch was awesome", added Matthew Groves-Hemingway, Bantams DO committee member.
It is this kind of working together and the support that was evident from both Football Clubs that will help to ensure that the match day experience for Disabled supporters and their friends, families and carers continues to improve.
The Level Playing Fields week of action is an annual programme of events that aims to promote inclusion and raise awareness of issues. Full details of the national campaign can be found online at http://www.levelplayingfield.org.uk/lpf-weeks-action