GiveVision trial a huge success a Vitality Stadium

The headsets work with a user's remaining vision to enhance their experience and provide them with the opportunity to watch a match in real-time alongside their friends and family.

In the UK, approximately 1 in every 30 people are visually impaired, which would mean around 400 visually impaired spectators attending matches at Vitality Stadium every match.

Four supporters took part in the trial, with two of these being players within the Community Sports Trust. One supporter had previously stopped attending matches due to her sight loss, while the other was a long-standing supporter of the club.

All the supporters who took part were delighted with the headsets, which allowed them to experience a matchday without the constraints of their visual impairment. 

After the trial, various individuals gave their thoughts.

Hannah Powis, AFC Bournemouth’s Head of EDI and Engagement:

“Inclusion is hugely important to AFC Bournemouth, we want anyone who wants to be part of our journey to have the opportunity to do so without barriers.

We are proud to be only the second club in the Premier League to offer the headsets to supporters and look forward to working closely with GiveVision to make this accessible to other supporters.

This trial is a movement by the club to work closely with its Disabled Supporters Association, to actively seek out new technologies to improve access for disabled supporters.”

Ethan, AFC Bournemouth supporter:

“The goggles were just great, they made the match perfect so I could see clearly and up close. I knew exactly which player was on the ball without having to listen on my radio or ask my dad.”

Ethan’s mum Gemma also commented: “Ethan facetimed me at half-time and was absolutely buzzing and so happy with the goggles. He was absolutely made up, he could see everything so clearly. I honestly have never seen him so happy on a matchday.”

Angela, AFC Bournemouth supporter:

“After 29 years of going to watch AFC Bournemouth play with my husband, I eventually gave up going to matches when I could no longer see what was happening on the pitch due to my sight loss.

“My husband would describe everything, but I always felt I was missing out, it became frustrating and would make me sad knowing I would never see the game again. I began to listen to the games on the radio, but it wasn’t the same as being amongst the action.

“So, I was excited to be part of the trial for the GiveVision headsets at AFC Bournemouth, however I could never have dreamt of how amazing it would be. At times it felt like I’d had my vision restored and for someone who is registered blind it really did feel like a miracle.

“Without the headsets I can just make out the green on the pitch but can’t see anything happening on it. With the headset I could see the players and having the ability to follow the TV cameras meant I could even read the names on the backs of the shirts.

“Thank you so much for showing me that I can enjoy football again. Something I hadn’t considered was the impact it has on my husband. It was the first time in seven or eight years we could share the experience. This was such an amazing experience for me, and I can only imagine how many football fans with sight loss could benefit from it.”