03/12/2009
NADS E-Newsletter - December 2009 update
1) Level Playing Field 2010
NADS are delighted to announce that this season’s Level Playing Field weeks of action will take place over the two week period commencing 13th March to 28th March 2010.
NADS would like to encourage, clubs, community teams, DSA's, general fans organisations, County FA's and anyone else who would would like to get involved to do so.
The two week period should give each club and/or organisation the opportunity to have a home game or an event in which they can showcase the work they are doing. If you cannot run anything between those dates, we are happy for you to do something in support of the LPF at another time.
This year's campaign focus is on ambulant disabled supporters and as such we encourage you to make this a highlight of your event or showcase.
We would like to know what you are planning to do beforehand so that we can help publicise your event via our e-newsletter, on our website and encourage other clubs, supporters associations, community trusts etc. to take part. We have come up with a list of possible activities to assist you but please do not feel you have to stick to this. We would be delighted to hear of any other ideas you have for putting on an event, highlighting the work you do for ambulant disabled fans.
We would be grateful if you could fill in the feedback form by going to the link below and return it to NADS as soon as possible, either via email to info@nads.org.uk or send it to NADS, PO Box 2909, Reading, RG1 9LD.
Suggested activities for this years campaign, the feedback form, previous season's campaign information can be found by going to http://www.nads.org.uk/level-playing-field_downloads/19.html
2. Former England Footballer Announced as Ambassador for Two Disability Charities
On The International Day of Persons with Disabilities NADS is delighted to announce Danny Mills as Ambassador. He will be joining Danny Wallace in promoting our works.
Danny Mills, former England, Manchester City and Leeds United defender, has been appointed as an ambassador for the National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS) and Centre For Access to Football in Europe (CAFE), a registered UK charity seeking to ensure that all disabled people can follow football in Europe by achieving equality of access to the game in all UEFA member states.
Danny will help to raise awareness for both charities and help with fundraising activities throughout the year, as well as continuing with his dedicated work for the Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, a charity that he has worked tirelessly for since the death of his son Archie from the condition.
Danny’s mission is to help change attitudes and highlight the barriers still faced by disabled people every day in the UK and across Europe.
Danny said: “I feel honoured to have been asked to become an ambassador for NADS and CAFE. My wish is to raise awareness for disabled people in any way I can and this opportunity has provided me with not only a national, but an international platform on which to help promote messages on and really make a difference.”
Joyce Cook, Chair of the National Association of Disabled Supporters and also Managing Director of CAFE added: “Danny’s continued dedication for the cause makes him the perfect candidate for the role of Ambassador and he will be a valuable asset to us.”
David Bernstein, NADS President and CAFE Chairman said “Danny will be a tremendous addition to both NADS and CAFE in helping to raise access awareness throughout football. We are delighted to welcome him to the team”.
Danny will take on the biggest challenge of his life next year on Sunday 18th April when he attempts to complete the Brighton Marathon in a wheelchair, which he is currently in arduous training for. Danny will be raising money for both NADS and ASBAH.
3. England 2018 Release Selection Criteria
The 16 cities who have indicated that they hope to become a part of England’s World Cup bid to FIFA will be assessed on a total of 23 individual selection categories and 95 individual criteria including contractual commitment, stadium suitability, fan parks, security and legacy plans.
These will be used to help England 2018’s selection panel decide which cities will become Candidate Host Cities as part of England’s World Cup bid.
Applicant host cities are currently in the process of finalising their individual bid submissions. The submissions will be delivered to England 2018’s offices at Wembley Stadium on Thursday (November 26th) and a decision on the successful cities is scheduled for December, 16th. The criteria are being released to ensure the process by which the cities will be selected is transparent and consistent.
England 2018 board member, Lord Mawhinney, will chair the selection panel and said: “It is important that everyone understands how the decision on Candidate Cities will be made. Every city involved has worked hard to put their bid together and it is right that people across the country – particularly those in and around the applicant cities – know what is required. The standard has been extremely high so the selection panel’s job will be a tough one.
There are four elements which carry a direct pass/fail evaluation. Any city which fails to comply with any of these sections, covering contractual obligations and stadium capacity, will be deemed to have submitted a bid which is non-compliant. The remaining criteria are weighted for their significance to the overall result assessed. Each of the criteria will therefore provide a different proportion of a city’s overall score and assessment.
All criteria established for this process by England 2018 have been designed to reflect FIFA’s standards to ensure compliance with FIFA’s requirements when England’s submission is made in May.
4. London 2012
A few weeks ago NADS forwarded a questionnaire from the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Ltd.
From some of the feedback gthey have received an alternative version has been produced which should be easier to complete. For example you can complete without entering a postcode for international colleagues. The questions have also been shortened as many people found it to be very long.
LOCOG have asked that as many people as possible to share their experiences via the questionnaire. Please click on the link to take part: http://www.arkenford.net/uc/admin/7dfc/?a=24