Rotherham United back the #RiseForSport Campaign

Championship team, Rotherham United, are backing the #RiseForSport campaign for more sports venues to have Changing Places Toilets.

The Millers are calling on players and supporters to sign the petition, launched by a trio of disabled football fans, to get the issue raised in parliament and to change legislation so that sports venues are accessible for all.

The club recently unveiled its own new Changing Places Toilet at the AESSEAL New York Stadium. This was made possible thanks to the support of Rotherham Council, who secured £50,000 from the Government’s Changing Places Fund.

Working with Doncaster based RISE Adaptions the club was able to have a purpose-built Changing Places facility with essential equipment, such as a hoist, height adjustable changing table, and height adjustable sink which will help people living with motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and other conditions.

The new facility, located on the concourse at the north end of the West Stand, will mean that even more football fans can visit the stadium safe in the knowledge that there is a space for them to visit the toilet facilities with the dignity that other toilet spaces don’t offer.

Jamie Noble, Rotherham United’s head of community, said: “As a football club we pride ourselves on supporting the community, not only to live better and healthier lives, but to help make AESSEAL New York Stadium a safe and inclusive environment for everyone to enjoy their football.

“We know the difference having a Changing Places Facility will have on our fans and their families and that is why we are backing the campaign for all sports facilities to have these vital spaces.

“This is a real call to action for all sports fans, across all sports to come together and help to make a real change.

“There are a number of questions that you can ask yourself, if you couldn’t use the toilet facilities at a game would you go to that game? If you had to change your child on a toilet floor as there was no where else to do it, would you? The answer for most people would be no, so why should a disabled fan be expected to do this?”

To sign the petition visit www.change.org/riseforsport and to show your support of the petition on social media share the link with the hashtag #RiseForSport

Rotherham United Disabled Supporters Association, Chair, Kerry Coleman, said: “As disabled fans we know sometimes going to games can have its challenges.

“Having received feedback from some supporters about the need for a Changing Places facility that provided additional support to people’s personal needs, we worked Rotherham United and the community trust to implement this.

“This is a great facility for our club and to all those attending AEESEAL New York Stadium be it on a match day or any other event and we are proud to be supporting the campaign to have these facilities at all sports grounds.”

For further information about the Rise For Sport campaign, visit www.riseforsport.co.uk