Wrexham AFC Disabled Supporters Association

History

2013 – Formed DSA FC who went on to become Wrexham Inclusion FC providing an inclusive football hub within the community.

Oct 2013 – Managed, planned and organised the UK’s first Autism friendly football match, working with National Autistic Society Wrexham, setting the blue print for best practice.

2015 – Worked with Glyndwr University and Wrexham WST to deliver accessible wheelchair viewing platform number one in the Mold Road stand of the Racecourse stadium, raising 100% of the funds required. We went on to manage the platform over several seasons, providing free beverages and biscuits provided by the Co-op. We later carried out additional works to widen the door, remove a step, and lower the window height to make the adjoining private box fully accessible to wheelchairs. Also a £2000 donation to Wrexham AFC towards lift repairs.

Officially opened by Lord Faulkner of Worcester on 29^th Aug 2015.
Praising the efforts of all involved in delivering the platform, Lord Faulkner said, “Wrexham AFC has shown just what is possible when a club and its supporters come together with a shared determination to make meaningful progress. Everyone involved in this project should be commended for their commitment and continuing efforts to raise additional funds to ensure further access improvements for local disabled fans and for visiting supporters. The club has set a benchmark of best practice and we very much hope that this project will inspire many other clubs to follow suit. It is precisely this sort of facility that I had in mind when I introduced my Accessible Sports Grounds Bill in Parliament.  Wrexham demonstrates that it’s perfectly possible to create excellent access arrangements for disabled supporters in an old football ground.”

June 2015 – Assisted Dame Tanni Grey Thompson in her speech on accessibility at football to the House of Lords.

Oct 2016 – Chair Steve Gilbert invited by Labour MP Ian Lucas, to the Houses of Parliament to give evidence to the House of Commons Select Committee for Culture, Media and Sport, on the subject of “Accessibilty of Sports Stadia” following Wrexham DSA’s work around platform number one.

Nov 2016 – Contributions towards Wrexham AFC attaining dementia friendly status, including awareness training and a reminiscence group. The first Welsh club to do so.

Jan 2017 – Baron Chris Holmes of Richmond names Wrexham AFC as exemplars of best practice in House of Commons report into Accessible Stadia.

Jan 2017 – Welcomed Channel 4 News to the Racecourse Stadium, as part of their “No Go Britain” report on accessibility in the UK.

2018 – Brought Audio Descriptive Commentary to the Racecourse Stadium, fully funding the equipment, training by UEFA approved Alan March Sport, and management of the service to the present day, including paying to hire the 1864 suite and club catering for training days.

One of our trained commentators recently joined the AMS team in Prague to deliver ADC commentary on the UEFA Conference League Final.

Our team also became the first to deliver ADC at a Welsh International when they covered an U21’s game at the Racecourse, prior to the service being available at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Nov 2021 – Funded the purchase and install of a public defibrillator, fitted to the outside wall of the Mold Road stand at the Racecourse Stadium. This unit has been used once to our knowledge in an emergency by North Wales Ambulance service.

Oct 2022 – A £4500 donation to the wheelchair accessible away platform in the Wrexham Lager Stand, Racecourse Stadium, along with a significant donation to the cost of braille signage.

10 years continuous service stewarding blue badge parking at the Racecourse Stadium.

• 
  DSA News29/06/2024
  There are no posts at this time