Foundation of Light introduces transformational place-based football academy at Consett AFC
The pioneering academy, based at the football club’s Belle View Stadium, aims to remove long-standing barriers to education and high-performance coaching.
Foundation of Light is working with Sunderland AFC on their dedicated ‘Level Playing Field’ matchday.
The Black Cats will be highlighting the charity’s ‘Unite for Access’ campaign, an annual celebration of good access and inclusion at sports venues, during the home match against Leicester City on Tuesday 5 March.
It will be the second of a series of dedicated matchdays supported by the Premier League Fans Fund. The Premier League Fans Fund supports football clubs at all levels to strengthen connections between them, their fans, and local communities, including initiatives to develop inclusivity for under-represented groups.
Foundation of Light Chief Executive Lesley Spuhler said: "We're very proud to be backing the Level Playing Field initiative once again.
"Both the Foundation of Light and the Club pride ourselves on our approach to inclusivity and being able to provide facilities that meet the needs and expectations of supporters to give them the best possible experience."
The Sunderland AFC players got behind the campaign
Ahead of the game, the Beacon of Light Fanzone will host dedicated stalls, including:
The Fanzone will run from 5:30pm-7:30pm and alongside its usual offerings such as football drop-ins, FIFA and music, Grace House will deliver a disability multi-sport session, and the Beacon will showcase its accessible facilities for disabled supporters such as our sensory room and sensory bags.
The pioneering academy, based at the football club’s Belle View Stadium, aims to remove long-standing barriers to education and high-performance coaching.
Foundation of Light, the official charity of Sunderland AFC, has made significant savings on energy costs thanks to a new partnership with Sunderland-based energy broker, Utilink Consulting.
Foundation of Light has recognised Isla Cameron as one of its Wear 25 award winners, following her call-up to the England U13s Deaf Futsal team.