Post by QPR Report on Sept 11, 2009 7:10:37 GMT
PFA's Give Me Football
CAFE are moving in the right direction
The hard work is just beginning for NADS and CAFE, says Joyce Cook
By Ian Clarkson September 10, 2009
Joyce CookThe idea is that we take on the work that has been done with NADS and move it in to Europe Joyce Cook is the spearhead behind CAFE, and disabled supporters all over Europe now know they have a champion fighting in their corner in raising awareness and improving the lives of people with disabilities.
Cook has been the driving force behind the National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS) in England, and her work has been recognised to such an extent that the Centre For Access to Football In Europe (CAFE) is up and running.
The project has been awarded £1m Swiss Francs by UEFA president Michel Platini through the Monaco Award, and as Givemfootball’s Ian Clarkson discovered in an exclusive chat with CAFE’s MD Cook, the hard work is only just beginning.
Q: How excited are you by the formation of CAFE?
A: The idea is that we take on the work that has been done with NADS and move it in to Europe. It is really exciting and we have recruited specific people who we believe will make this a success.
Richard Bernstein is the chairman and we have Lord Richard Rosser of Ickenham as a Director and Trustee. Chris Bird, who is Vice-president of NADS, is also on board whilst Darren Benman is the company secretary and trustee.
James Froggatt is the non-executive technical director whilst Danny Wallace is an ambassador and non-executive director. Jeanette Dodd is the NADS ‘founding partner’ representative and there are still more people to be confirmed.”
Q: Who has been backing your work?
A: The PFA have been incredibly supportive as has UEFA. The changes that have been taking place are progressive but there is still a great deal of work for us to do.
Q: I take it there is still plenty of room for improvement across Europe then?
A: Some countries are far more progressive than others but there are still some stadia where it is pretty grim. The access inside and outside stadia is what we are looking to improve and an ideal template of a new stadium would be the Emirates at Arsenal.
They have gone the extra mile and even have a doggy toilet for guide dogs!
Q: How will these changes happen?
A: There is a lack of awareness around certain areas in Europe and we are looking to change the mindset. If I had a penny for every time someone said to me that you can’t make changes to an existing ground then I would be very rich!
You can make changes for the better to existing facilities and there are still some facilities around Europe where there isn’t enough room to watch the game.
Q: NADS and CAFE will be working together closely after the impact of this launch, won’t they?
A: Two years ago NADS was in a sad place and had lost its way a bit but we have re-engaged and really got our act together and this was reflected in Monaco with UEFA awarding us such financial assistance.
It is important to get a team together who understand this industry and are influential and I firmly believe we are moving in the right direction to ensure better access and facilities for disabled supporters around Europe.
www.givemefootball.com/pfa/pfa-news/cafe-are-moving-in-the-right-direction