Disabled Rugby League supporters asked for their views on barriers to enjoying live games

The disability campaign group Level Playing Field has launched its fourth annual survey – and disabled Rugby League fans are being asked for their views on matchday experiences at the sports’ stadia.  

Level Playing Field aims to gather valuable insight on the matchday experiences of disabled sports fans across England and Wales. Results are shared with governing bodies such as the RFL, and with professional clubs who will receive reports providing a clearer picture of their specific areas of improvement and weakness alongside wider trends.

A record number of people took part in the last year’s survey, with supporters of Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors in particular helping Rugby League make an unprecedented contribution to the overall findings.

The 2023 data displayed year-on-year trends for the first time, with troubling rises in the percentage of disabled sports fans for whom ‘inaccessible public transport’ and ‘disability abuse’ are barriers when attending live sport. Results are shared publicly each year, as well as with clubs and governing bodies. Individual reports are sent to clubs, providing a clearer picture of their specific areas of improvement and weakness alongside wider trends.

Chair of Level Playing Field, Tony Taylor, said:

“Our surveys are an invaluable resource to the charity itself and other key stakeholders, providing an unmatched insight into the matchday experiences of disabled sports fans.

“Significant changes in accessibility and inclusion across recent years should become more apparent from this year’s data.

“The results are a vital asset for clubs and governing bodies, allowing them to see what is working and to make changes directly in response to specific issues pinpointed, but also highlight areas for Level Playing Field to focus on more widely.

“I am grateful to all of the disabled fans that have completed our previous surveys and ask them to share this one with their fellow supporters when doing so again.”

RFL Senior EDI partner, Ben Abberstein, added:  

“Rugby League is making progress, as evidenced by our contribution to last year’s survey and developments such as Leeds Rhinos’ accessible visitors guide to Headingley. But there’s a lot more to do to create a better matchday experience for disabled fans at all our stadia, so I would encourage all disabled Rugby League fans to have their say.” 

The 2024 Level Playing Field Survey is available online at surveymonkey.com/r/disabledfans2024

2023’s results are available via the Level Playing Field website. 

Leeds Rhinos’ accessible visitors guide is available at therhinos.co.uk/headingley-stadium/accessible-visitors-guide