The findings of Karen Carney MBE’s independent review, commissioned by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, has today been published and the report is titled ‘Raising the bar – reframing the opportunity in women’s football’.
One of the recommendations in the report is that ‘Clubs must better value and support their fans – the FA should raise minimum standards to enforce this.’
Accessibility and inclusion for disabled supporters must be placed at the heart of this, with clearly outlined and enforced minimum standards.
The results of Level Playing Field’s survey across fans of women’s football will be published on Monday and will further inform the charity’s work in this area.
Level Playing Field contributed to the independent review, with a submission of written evidence.
The 128-page report is very detailed, but there is no direct reference to disabled fans.
Below, is therefore a list of key points, which should be implemented in the women’s game if clubs, governing bodies and the new standalone company tasked with running the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship are committed to being accessible and inclusive for disabled fans:
- Governing Body – Setting standards of Physical Access, Disabled Fan engagement, support for clubs to deliver Access and Inclusion.
- Club Governance – Director/s accountable for access and inclusion for disabled fans, mandated agenda points for board meetings twice a year (Access and Inclusion), Clear indicators for success established.
- Strategy – Both league-wide and club-specific strategies need to be in place, focused on delivering greater access and accounting for the broad range of disabilities, including non-visible disabilities.
- Designated club contact – Staff member who leads on the strategy for delivering access and inclusion whilst also being the key contact for any disabled fan.
- Club departments – each department has direct accountability for delivering their area of the access and inclusion strategy.
- Fans – Both disabled and non-disabled fans have regular engagement to contribute to driving standards of access and inclusion and to also raise awareness.
Level Playing Field’s survey results will be made publicly available of the charity’s website on Monday, with clubs also receiving their own individual reports.