The Network is very pleased to share news of the sign up of three sports organisations: Ability Counts Football, Parley Ability Counts, and Parley Ability Counts Youth .
‘Football has a remarkable ability to both bring people together, but also to be a reflection of divisions & discrimination in society.
As the largest team participation team sport in the country, & with over 8 million people regularly participating, it is important that football takes the lead in creating a suitable environment for all to be able to both enjoy & to feel safe when playing, regardless of culture, colour religion, sexuality or disability.
This is equally as true in Ability Counts (pan-disability) football, & at Parley Ability Counts, we have always endeavoured to create that ‘safe environment’ & culture, as it is crucial that the LGBT community are not only well-represented & have a voice, but also afforded the same opportunities as all players – be it ‘mainstream’ or disability football.
The ‘Ask for Clive’ campaign enables all of the Parley players to both know that they can play in a safe & friendly environment, & also know that there is a safe reporting mechanism for either inappropriate behaviour or comments, or to flag-up if they feel that they have been discriminated against.
Football is a force for good, but for it to be truly inclusive, everyone has to feel safe, & a full part of the game.’
Rob Amey. Ability Counts Football, Parley Ability Counts, and Parley Ability Counts Youth
The Network has provided a ‘need to know’ information resource on LGBT engagement for these three sports organisations, which are very appreciative of its practical value & quality. It is being used to support existing equality & inclusion training, for monitoring and to assist on celebrating the best practice LGB&T and broader diverse communities support and engagement taking place at Ability Counts Football, Parley Ability Counts, and Parley Ability Counts Youth .