With just over a week to go until the return of Harlequins’ Access Day, we look ahead at what fans can expect from their afternoon at The Stoop as Harlequins take on Leicester Tigers in Round 15 of the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby on Saturday 11 May.
Back for its second year, Access Day provides a steppingstone for disabled people to attend live sporting events and delivers a range of important initiatives to support and educate visitors of The Stoop.
Charles Stanley Wealth Managers, Harlequins’ Official Player Welfare Partner, and Level Playing Field will once again partner with the Club to welcome disabled supporters and their family, friends and community groups to The Stoop, providing an opportunity for all to experience, enjoy and familiarise themselves with all the characteristics of a live Harlequins matchday.
Harlequins CEO Laurie Dalrymple said: “Following the success of our inaugural Access Day last year, we’re incredibly proud to confirm our plans for the 2024 event. With the support of Charles Stanley and Level Playing Field we’re excited to build on the success of last year’s event and implement further initiatives to ensure our matchdays are accessible and open to everyone, regardless of age, background, ability or circumstance.”
What to expect:
In addition to the typical features of an exciting Women’s matchday, the Club will be rolling out the following initiatives to welcome disabled supporters to The Stoop:
- Annual in-person Disabled Supporter Forum (pre-match)
- Accessible rugby coaching session for fixture attendees (pre-match)
- Jesters Wheelchair Rugby taster activity (pre-match)
- Bookable Accessible Parking
- Harlequins x Charles Stanley Sensory Room
- Quiet Room
- Harlequins Sensory Packs
- Changing Places facility delivered by Vehicles for Change
- Enhanced PA scripting
- Enhanced Big Screen content
- Audio Descriptive Commentary with free of charge Fan Radio service for visually impaired supporters
- Provision of Non-Visible Disability (NVD) wristbands
- Accessibility Map
- Updated Accessibility Webpage with matchday resources to download
Owain Davies from sports charity Level Playing Field said of the Club’s plans: “At Level Playing Field, we passionately believe that going to watch sport should be accessible to everyone. We’re thrilled to be able to support Harlequins, as they strive towards that goal, with their annual Access Day. Last year, the club introduced several new initiatives and improvements for disabled fans visiting the Stoop, and we’re excited to see and hear what they’ll be doing this year. It’s fantastic that the access requirements of disabled Quins fans are really being considered by the club.”
Charles Stanley Wealth Managers will also be present on the day and, in conjunction with the Club, will deliver the Harlequins x Charles Stanley Sensory Room, following the successful delivery of a dedicated Sensory Room for supporters with sensory processing needs at the Club’s recent Big Game 15 at Twickenham Stadium.
Paul Abberley, Charles Stanley Chief Executive Officer said: “Our partnership with Harlequins is rooted in our shared values, including our approach to inclusion. We are exceptionally proud to sponsor the Access Day event and wish all attending a wonderful, fun-filled afternoon.”
Tickets for this fixture are still available to purchase for just £10 Adult and £5 for Under-18s. To book tickets, including accessible parking, for this fixture, please click here.
For more information on accessibility at The Stoop, please click here.
With thanks to Harlequins
