Running from Saturday February 26 until March 13, the annual campaign will once again look to inspire change in football while shining a spotlight on the clubs making a better matchday experience for disabled sports fans.
Throughout the two-week initiative, Manchester City will be highlighting some of the work that takes place across the Club to create an even playing field for its supporters and surrounding community.
The Men’s derby against Manchester United will see the Club promote the campaign with special matchday content including a programme feature with City Matter’s Disability Representative.
The theme for this year’s campaign is ‘the return of fans’ meaning the Club will also use the derby to speak with some of its disabled supporters about how they are finding being back at the Etihad and how they have been supported by the Club.
The Club’s charitable arm, City in the Community (CITC), will also be taking the time to showcase its One City Disability programme which supports a range people with different disabilities.
The initiative, delivered in partnership with Rexona, provides young people and adults with an opportunity to play football in a safe environment and focuses on raising physical health, mental health and confidence.
CITC’s Senior Operations Manager, Lisa McKay, said: “Level Playing Fields’ Weeks of Action is an important celebration of inclusion, but we are committed to making sport accessible to all 365 days a year.
“The CITC team is proud to create safe spaces for people of various disabilities to come together and share in their passion for football, make friends and express themselves.
“From Dwarfism, to Down Syndrome, amputees to visual impairments, and more, sessions are delivered both at the City Football Academy and across Greater Manchester multiple days a week, reaching hundreds of people.”
Overall, Manchester City works collectively across all departments to create a comfortable and fitting environment for all supporters.
The Etihad Stadium features a Sensory Room specifically designed to help children with sensory processing issues who may otherwise feel discouraged from attending matches.
Meanwhile, blind and partially sighted supporters have benefitted from using the Club’s audio descriptive commentary for more than twenty years. Manchester City is the only football club in the country to offer this service across Men’s, Women’s, and Academy First Team matches.
The Club’s dedicated Access Team are on hand to support all supporters with their individual needs. Supporters can discuss any requirements by emailing access@mancity.com.
For more information about Level Playing Field, visit www.levelplayingfield.org.uk or email info@levelplayingfield.org.uk
