AFC Bournemouth
The minutes from the latest Equality Focus Group have been released.
Attendees:
- Liz Finney (LF)
- Steve Cuss (SC)
- Hannah Powis (HP)
- John Jennings (JJ)
- Lin Travers (LT)
- Emma Young (EY)
- Simon Shave (SS)
- Princess Beckford (PB)
- Nick Holmes (NH)
- Leslie Hathaway (LH)
- Matt Sturgeon (MS)
- Ben Smith (BS)
Apologies
- Mark Dean (MD)
- Rob Trent (RT)
- Rachel Maidment (RM)
- Nick Bishop (NB)
- Chris Ashton (CA)
- Louise Clarke (LC)
- Sarah Jelfs (SJ)
Minutes:
- HP welcomed everyone to the meeting and each person gave an introduction
- SC provided updates on the womens team, and the community sports trust being back to operating a full capacity.
- EY spoke about the success of the women’s game at Vitality stadium and if there would be more games in the future
- SC and LF answered and said there was an opportunity to look at more womens team games at the Vitality Stadium
- PB added that she had found receieving emails about the women’s team and their upcoming fixtures beneficial
- HP discussed with the group additional accesibility services for the new season including:
- Sensory seating
- Platform requests will remain the same as they have in previous seasons, if the platform was to get full applicants will be rotated on a match-by-match basis to ensure fair use
- Ambulant disabled seating for a supporters with hidden disabilities and mobility difficulties will be in block 28 for the new season.
- Lowered counters have been installed in the superstore and superstore ticket office
- BS suggested having the accesibility liason team in a brighter color so they are more visible on a matchday
- Disabled supporters association – HP discussed that conversations had been taking place with level playing fields (LPF) and BS around the need for a DSA at AFC Bournemouth.
- The group agreed that that having everyone together in the equality focus group (EFG) felt like keeping the group together was more inclusive and ensured that a cross section of supporters were represented at the group
- PB added that a potential way forward would be a separate, fan led DSA which feeds into the EFG
- BS and MS discussed that this will allow a more open platform
- LF spoke around ensuring the two groups can work alongside each other and that any DSA that might be formed would need to be representive of a cross section of disabilities
- HP will speak to other clubs, LPF and the Premier League around how their DSA’s work and review at the next meeting
- HP spoke about the learning and development themes for the season
- PB highlighted that some thought should be given to cultural differences/understanding different religions and cultures and in addition around ageism
- SS will be happy to co-deliver training around disability awareness and draw upon his lived experience to educate others
- HP introduced the EDI calendar and matchday themes that will span the season and asked the group to provide feedback
- LH mentioned that to provide fan education it would be good to have some information in the programme
- The group suggested that these could be distributed online, around the ground, in the superstore. PB suggested in the bathrooms/back of the doors in the bathrooms. LF suggested digivan and big screen which can incorporate everyone together stories
- HP showed the group through the neurodiversity factsheet and discussed this would go align with awareness days throughout the season
- LT asked HP to check the definitition of Autism to make sure this is correct
- PB asked if any more tickets would be released as season tickets. JJ and LF advised that any season tickets that were not renewed will be released to match point holders
- SJ raised a concern prior to the meeting around sleeves for hot drinks, in the North stand. HP has checked with catering who will ensure that these are available throughout all games
- HP closed the meeting and thanked the group for their involvement and contributions
