The three-part docuseries is released today on Amazon, coinciding with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024.
The series features British Paralympic gold medallist and marathon world record holder Richard Whitehead MBE, alongside LGBTQ+ advocate, broadcaster and TV personality Adele Roberts, as they challenge stereotypes and explore barriers that underrepresented communities face when attempting to participate in sport.
With episode one showcasing disability in sport and three celebrating a special inclusive run, episode two of Dare to Defy docuseries celebrates Manchester City and the Club’s Charity, City in the Community (CITC).
In this episode, Adele Roberts visits CITC’s team, attends the One City Disability Sessions, as well as the Official Supporters Club, Canal Street Blues (CSB), to learn more about the work being done by the Club to further break down barriers for the LGBTQ+ community.
During the documentary, Adele Roberts meets lifelong Manchester City fan and CSB member, Liv, who demonstrates how the Club are working with fans as allies of the LGBTQ+ community across another Premier League season.
Featuring former Manchester City player Izzy Christiansen and former footballer Zander Murray, the documentary explores the experiences of fans within the LGBTQ+ community and the support Manchester City and CITC offer to make football as inclusive as possible.
Commenting on the episode, CEO of City in the Community, Mike Geary, said:
“We were delighted to welcome Adele to Manchester as part of Dare to Defy, where she visited our One City Disability and LGBTQ+ programmes. City in the Community has a great longstanding relationship with Nissan, which culminated in them becoming our Official Equality, Diversity and Inclusion partner in 2023.
“To be able to profile and celebrate the charity’s inclusion work on a global platform like Amazon Prime is extremely unique and we would like to thank everyone involved, especially Adele, for spending so much authentic time with our participants, staff and fans.”
Thanks to Nissan’s support, CITC announced its new LGBTQ+ football programme in August 2024. The new project was created for 16-25-year-olds who identify within the LGBTQ+ community, enabling them to enjoy exercise and connect in a safe environment.
The weekly sessions, which include coaches who identify within the community, include footballing activities alongside workshops and youth voice opportunities. Working with young people and local expert organisations, the charity’s initiative has been designed by the very people who will benefit from it.
To further highlight City in the Community’s inclusion work, bonus content unseen in the episode has been turned into a short advertorial feature, including interviews with participants and CITC Life President, Alex Williams MBE.
The documentary can now be watched here.
