Disabled supporters benefit to the tune of 1m Swiss francs
Joyce Cook is celebrating after the news that UEFA has donated the Monaco Award to establish a Europe-wide charity called CAFE, Centre For Access To Football In Europe.
The Monaco Award (1m Swiss francs) will enable the excellent work carried out by UK based National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS) to spread into Europe with Cook spearheading the move.
Cook, who is a wheelchair user herself and avid football fan has been the driving force behind NADS and is the Managing director of CAFE, was presented with the cheque buy UEFA president Michel Platini at an award ceremony in Monaco.
Also accepting the award along with Cook was former England, Manchester United and Birmingham City star, Danny Wallace who is an ambassador for CAFE.
He has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and is now ambulant disabled. Wallace has written an autobiographical book about his experiences and has also set up the Danny Wallace Foundation to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis research.
He is also an Ambassador for NADS and 'Kick it Out - anti-racism' charities in the UK.
"I want to say a huge thank you to UEFA on behalf of disabled people across Europe," said Cook.
"We are delighted by this decision, which highlights UEFA's recognition of disabled supporters and its commitment to creating an equal experience for all football fans.
"Using the special influence of football within Europe, CAFE will raise disability awareness and improve the lives of disabled people.
"I believe that through football, CAFE will contribute to strengthening understanding of disability and help disabled people become welcome in communities across Europe and valued, alongside non-disabled supporters, at the heart of the football-going experience.
"Thanks to UEFA's generosity, our vision has been transformed into an achievable plan designed to span all 53 UEFA member associations."
Aims of CAFE:
To enable disabled people to follow football in Europe.
To achieve equal access for all football supporters in Europe.
To increase disability awareness and improve the lives of disabled people using the special influence of football within Europe.
To establish a European network of disabled football supporters.
NOTE: 500 million people live within the European Union (EU) alone and around 10% are disabled. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that within the UEFA geographical region there may be more than 100 million disabled people.
At least 500,000 are likely to be football supporters - and they have the right to enjoy football in the same way as everyone else: the right to equality of access.
This applies to football at all levels. More and more disabled supporters want to travel to UEFA matches and tournaments; as provisions improve, they will feel they can attend major tournaments like EURO 2012 alongside fellow supporters.
Givemefootball.com, 4th September 2009
The Monaco Award (1m Swiss francs) will enable the excellent work carried out by UK based National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS) to spread into Europe with Cook spearheading the move.
Cook, who is a wheelchair user herself and avid football fan has been the driving force behind NADS and is the Managing director of CAFE, was presented with the cheque buy UEFA president Michel Platini at an award ceremony in Monaco.
Also accepting the award along with Cook was former England, Manchester United and Birmingham City star, Danny Wallace who is an ambassador for CAFE.
He has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and is now ambulant disabled. Wallace has written an autobiographical book about his experiences and has also set up the Danny Wallace Foundation to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis research.
He is also an Ambassador for NADS and 'Kick it Out - anti-racism' charities in the UK.
"I want to say a huge thank you to UEFA on behalf of disabled people across Europe," said Cook.
"We are delighted by this decision, which highlights UEFA's recognition of disabled supporters and its commitment to creating an equal experience for all football fans.
"Using the special influence of football within Europe, CAFE will raise disability awareness and improve the lives of disabled people.
"I believe that through football, CAFE will contribute to strengthening understanding of disability and help disabled people become welcome in communities across Europe and valued, alongside non-disabled supporters, at the heart of the football-going experience.
"Thanks to UEFA's generosity, our vision has been transformed into an achievable plan designed to span all 53 UEFA member associations."
Aims of CAFE:
To enable disabled people to follow football in Europe.
To achieve equal access for all football supporters in Europe.
To increase disability awareness and improve the lives of disabled people using the special influence of football within Europe.
To establish a European network of disabled football supporters.
NOTE: 500 million people live within the European Union (EU) alone and around 10% are disabled. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that within the UEFA geographical region there may be more than 100 million disabled people.
At least 500,000 are likely to be football supporters - and they have the right to enjoy football in the same way as everyone else: the right to equality of access.
This applies to football at all levels. More and more disabled supporters want to travel to UEFA matches and tournaments; as provisions improve, they will feel they can attend major tournaments like EURO 2012 alongside fellow supporters.
Givemefootball.com, 4th September 2009
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