Leeds Rhinos stage Accessibility meeting in partnership with Level Playing Field

Ben Abberstein, the RFL’s Inclusion Lead, attended a significant event at the AMT Headingley Rugbv Stadium this week as Leeds Rhinos staged Rugby League’s first specific Accessibility meeting in partnership with Level Playing Field.

More than 50 fans accepted the opportunity to share their views and experiences, as the Rhinos pledged to work towards improving the experience for disabled supporters visiting the stadium.

Leeds and Wigan Warriors had earned places in the top 10 across all sport in the UK in terms of their supporters’ responses to Level Playing Field’s annual fan survey in 2023, and the Rhinos invited Owain Davies and Liam Bird from the charity to this week’s function.

Sian Jones, the club’s Head of Customer Experience, said: “The ambition of the meeting was to understand the concerns and needs of supporters and to look at ways of making the stadium more accessible for people with disabilities.”

Leeds have appointed Ashley Marshall from their customer experience team as Accessibility Liaison Officer. 

The Rhinos have flourishing Physical Disability and Learning Disability teams through their Foundation, and Disability Officers Ed Bates and Ben Berry attended the meeting – as did Jamie Jones-Buchanan MBE, the Rhinos legend who was appointed the club’s first Director of Culture last year, and is also an Observer on the RFL’s Board.

Ben Abberstein said: “It was a pleasure and privilege to attend such an important event, and it’s a good opportunity to congratulate Leeds Rhinos for the outstanding work they are doing in this area.

“As a sport, we value our relationship with Level Playing Field highly, and will continue to work closely with them and other clubs to emphasise the importance of accessibility at all levels of Rugby League.”

For more information, contact here.

More information on Level Playing Field can be found here.