Gillingham FC show their support to Level Playing Field
During our last home game against Crewe Alexandra FC we celebrated the work of Level Playing Field as we aimed to raise awareness and support this season’s weeks of action, 15th to 30th March.LPF is a campaigning and advisory organisation working on the behalf of all disabled supporters.
LPF works to share good practice, raise awareness and promotes improved access to sports stadiums for disabled fans and disabled people who aspire to attend live sporting events.
They use the unique voice of sport to improve access and inclusion for disabled people across a wider society by working alongside sports bodies and government.
This season we ran a competition with two local SEN Schools, Abbey Court School and Danecourt School, to offer two lucky pupils the opportunity to be Matchday Mascots at our game against Crewe.
The two lucky winners were Chantelle Fleming and Thomas Moore, and on arrival at MEMS Priestfield Stadium they were kitted out in their first team kit before they were treated to a behind the scenes tour of the stadium.
During the tour they had the opportunity to meet the management and first team, collect some autographs and pose for a few photos. They then made their way on to the pitch where they had the opportunity to have a kick about in front of the growing Priestfield faithful.
Before they took to their seats they had the honour of leading the team on to the pitch, after which they could sit back in their seats and enjoy the game with their families.
Tickets were also given to both schools for additional pupils to attend the game along with their parents so they could cheer on Chantelle and Thomas as they had their moment on the big stage. We also welcomed the players from the GFC SENtaurs, who are the club's disability teams.
We also asked Gills supporter, James Barnes who is partially sighted, to give us his view on being a Gills fan home and away and what clubs are doing well and where improvements should be made. To read James’ thoughts please click here.
We thank Level Playing Field for all their hard work and we look forward to continuing our work to make football accessible for all.
For more information about Level Playing Field, the Weeks of Action, to join them or sign up to receive their newsletters, you can go online to www.levelplayingfield.org.uk, email info@levelplayingfield.org.uk or call them on 01244 893584.