Exeter City are once more delighted to be able to support Level Playing Field’s ‘Weeks of Action’ campaign to highlight the incredible work of the Exeter City Disabled Supporters’ Association (ECDSA).
Level Playing Field’s Weeks of Action are an annual period of inspiration and celebration of good access and inclusion at sports venues.
Level Playing Field believes, as everyone here at Exeter City does that fans are an important part of the game. By getting involved and by promoting access and inclusion we’re helping by making a big difference to supporters with disabilities everywhere enjoy their match day and the beautiful game that is football.
Football, as the nation’s favourite game has a key leadership role in promoting access, tackling discrimination and ensuring everyone has the opportunity and ability, to enjoy the game. It makes good sense to provide an inclusive environment with the clubs continued working partnership with the Disabled Supporters Association and the One game, one community group as they do great work in ensuring that supporters with disabilities can have an enjoyable match day experience and ’a voice to be heard’ at the club.
Nick Saunders who is chairman of the ECDSA, stood down as clubs Disability Liaison Officer after around sixteen and a half years of service.
The Exeter City Disabled Association have been key in supporting the club since 2007 to make massive strides in many areas to ensure that the club is accessible to all.
In that time and under ECDSA played a crucial part in the opening of the Changing Places facility in the Stagecoach Adam Stansfield Stand, raising over £3000 towards the project.
The association has provided Autism packs to help make sure that supporters who have Autism or a condition on the Autism Spectrum can enjoy a more comfortable matchday experience.
Through fundraising from prize draws and other initiatives the ECDSA has provided Induction a Portable Induction Loop for the hearing impaired, roofing for Disabled Area 7 in the Big Bank Stand, 16 removable chairs for Personal Assistants using areas 6 and 7 in the Big Bank, and two wheelchairs, which are for hire on matchdays.
Speaking about the hard work of Nick Saunders, Justin Quick, Exeter City’s COO said: “Nick has been a tremendous asset to the whole Club in his time with the Club as Disability Liaison Officer and played a huge part in the redevelopment of St James Park in 2018.
“Through his drive and dedication to making sure that Disabled Supporters have ‘A Voice to be Heard’ he has been fundamental to making sure that the club does everything in can to make matchdays accessible to all.
“Whilst we are saddened to see Nick step down, we know that he has created a fantastic platform with the ECDSA to keep striving for change and improvement at ECFC – thank you for your hard work Nick.”
For details of what the Exeter City Disabled Supporters Association do or to join them as members (membership is open to all). Please visit their website http://ecfcdsa.co.uk or find them on Facebook.