Disabled Supporters Association | 2022/23 Update
After a successful season in 2021/22, Cardiff City FC's Disabled Supporters Association have plenty of new initiatives to look out for over the coming weeks and months!
This season, the DSA's major campaign focuses on 'Hidden Disabilities', with a new scheme underway to provide accessibility lanyards to City supporters on matchdays. At the moment, there are over 20 fans who have applied for a lanyard.
If you feel that your matchday experience would be enhanced with an accessibility lanyard, the best way to apply for one is by joining the DSA! Alternatively, please email our Disability Access Officer, Ben Jones, at ben.jones@cardiffcityfc.co.uk.
At home matchdays, City supporters are encouraged to join for a chat and a cup of a tea in the DSA's tearoom, which is located on Level 3 of CCS, on the corner of the Grandstand and the Canton Stand!
Kieran Jones, Chair of the DSA, said: “We’re always looking to get new memberships, and trying to encourage our supporters to join! Our tearoom is open to members and their family members on matchdays.
“We’ve got 180 members, but we’re also looking at ways to welcome away supporters to our tearoom on matchdays. We always enjoying chatting with those fans who have travelled to support their team!
“We were invited into the DSA room at the Hawthorns a few weeks ago, and it was brilliant to meet everybody there, so a huge thank you to West Brom for their kindness! We would love to be able to reciprocate their hospitality at our home matches throughout the season.”
On the opening day of the new campaign, DSA members were joined before kick-off by Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies, who spent time signing autographs and taking pictures!
After the lads paid their visit, Kieran said: “It’s always great to see the lads come and visit our members! I’ve known Rubin and Isaak since they were knee-high, coming through the youth teams at the Academy.
"We always love to welcome players to the DSA before games, and it really means the world to our members when they come to say hello!”
The DSA are also supporting the Bluebirds on the road this season! On their back of their highly successful official trip to Reading towards the end of last season, it’s been great to see so many DSA members in the away ends at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, the Hawthorns and Ashton Gate in the early stages of the new campaign.
“Kieran said: “Although we haven’t had our official away trip yet this season, a lot of our members really enjoy supporting the team away from home!
We took loads of members to Reading, which was a great day despite the result. We are looking towards the second half of the season for our official away trip, so do keep an eye out for that!”
Alongside their work on matchdays, the DSA will be continuing their partnership with the Neuro & Spinal Specialised Rehab Unit at Llandough Hospital this season.
Clients and nurses from the Unit will be welcomed to Cardiff City Stadium to make use of our sensory room at four home matchdays during the course of the campaign, beginning with our fixture against Coventry City on Saturday, 15th October.
Honorary President, Dr. Len Nokes, has been working with the Unit for several years, and the DSA are excited to continue their close association with the Unit over the coming months.
The DSA also recently announced Club Captain Joe Ralls as their Player Ambassador for the new season! Rallsy said: “I’m very proud to be named as the DSA’s new Player Ambassador, and I can’t wait to meet everyone at the stadium on matchdays.
Will Vaulks was a great Ambassador for the DSA last year, so I’m looking forward to representing the Association throughout the season!”
New members are always welcome to join the DSA – simply click here to find out more, and download a Membership Form!
