3pm kick off at SJP
Exeter City will be putting the focus on disability this Saturday (20 October) when they hold their annual One Game One Community designated game versus Chesterfield at St James’ Park. (3pm)
In the aftermath of the Paralympics and with the Club leading the way with initiatives for disabled fans and footballers, it seemed the perfect time to put the spotlight on disability.
Exeter City One Game One Community ambassador and first team player Guillem Bauza has welcomed the focus on disability at the match.
“It is so important for football to reach out to all parts of the community. Exeter City’s work with disabled fans and footballers is a great example of this so I am delighted that we are going to celebrate disability this afternoon” said Guillem.
The disabled supporter’s experience at Exeter City has been greatly enhanced thanks to the work of the Exeter City Disabled Supporters Association. Facilities include 34 elevated places for wheelchair users. A wheelchair is available for hire on match days for those supporters who have a need for a wheelchair because of a temporary disablement. For the visually impaired there is a dedicated commentary service with 10 headsets available to supporters. A portable induction loop is also available.
The Club is keen to raise awareness of these facilities and to help this guests have been specially invited today from local disability organisations including Devon in Sight (the Devon County Association for the Blind), St. Loye’s Foundation and CEDA.
Exeter City has also been at the forefront of offering opportunities for disabled footballers. The club’s Football in the Community Trust working with the Devon FA has developed a range of disability football initiatives including the Ability Counts set up for players with mental or physical disabilities. Other projects include football for power/ wheelchair users, people with cerebral palsy, and the visually and hearing impaired.
The teams, wearing One Game One Community shirts, will be led out by local young disabled footballers and the half time shoot out will feature players from the Exeter City Ability Counts teams.
The day has been organised by the Exeter City Supporter’s Trust backed One Game One Community Group which addresses a range of diversity and equality issues including race equality, homophobia, gender, age, disability and faith and beliefs.
The Group is part of the national Kick it Out campaign. For more information go to www.kickitout.org. To contact the Exeter City OGOC group please contact kickitout@exetercityfc.co.uk