Former FC Barcelona, Levante UD and Spanish International, Laura Gutierrez has become CAFE’s newest Ambassador and will help to raise awareness and empower disabled fans across Europe.

After retiring from professional football in 2020, Gutierrez began work with the Levante UD community foundation and currently leads on the social enterprise’s inclusion projects for disabled participants.

Passionate about access and inclusion in football, Gutierrez believes in CAFE’s mission of improving accessible facilities and services for disabled fans, and their ultimate goal of #TotalAccess. As a CAFE Ambassador she hopes to raise awareness and empower disabled fans of both men and women’s football across Europe.

Born in 1994, Gutierrez began her football career with FC Barcelona’s first team at the age of 15 and went on to win two league titles and two Copas de la Reina with the Catalan team she grew up supporting.

At 19 Gutierrez signed for Levante where she played for seven seasons, making 178 first team appearances and scoring seven goals. The midfielder also represented Spain at international level.

Following her retirement last year, Gutierrez completed a course in physical activity and is currently undertaking a university degree in social education with the Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia (U.N.E.D.). She has also recently taken part in an introductory course to Spanish Sign Language.

Speaking about joining CAFE, Gutierrez said, “I am delighted to become CAFE’s new Ambassador. Fans are a fundamental part of football; they allow it to have the impact that it does across the globe.”

“Anyone, regardless of their needs and characteristics has the right to enjoy this sport and it is all of our responsibility to reduce any barriers that disabled people may encounter.”

“CAFE have been doing some fantastic work to improve access and ensure the inclusion of disabled fans, so I’m looking forward to helping them continue to do just that.”

CAFE Managing Director, Joanna Deagle added, “We are very happy to welcome Laura as our newest Ambassador. Laura shares our belief in improving access and inclusion for all and given her experience as player, but also as a Levante Foundation coach, she will bring a lot to the CAFE family”.

“Laura will join our two existing Ambassadors, Omar and Bobby, in helping to raise awareness as well as providing valuable insight ahead of the International CAFE Conference due to take place later this year”.

Visit the CAFE Ambassadors webpage for more information on Laura’s role as well as CAFE’s two other Ambassadors, Omar Mascarell and Bobby Allain.

To keep up to date with all of CAFE’s latest news and updates about the International CAFE Conference 2021, visit our website and follow our accounts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Published 09/09/2021