The CAFE team attended the recent European Football Fans Congress held by Football Supporters Europe (FSE). 

Held in Gent and Lokeren, the three-day event saw over 300 football fans and stakeholders come together to discuss FSE’s future works and projects.

FSE is an independent, representative and democratically organised grass-roots network of football fans in Europe with members in currently 48 countries across the continent.

At the Congress, CAFE Managing Director Joanna Deagle and CAFE Consultant Elena Popova hosted a workshop discussing the importance of access and inclusion for disabled people within football.

The workshop, which was attended by representatives of national associations, clubs and fans groups, also provided an insight into CAFE’s Disability Inclusion and Etiquette Training (DIET) package.

CAFE’s newly-appointed DAO Project Manager Jochen Kemmer also attended the Congress, and he spoke of his enthusiasm in working towards an accessible and inclusive game for all.

Jochen said, “It was great to attend FSE’s European Football Fans Congress and meet many interesting and passionate people. I spoke with a number of delegates who were very keen to find out more about access and inclusion, and how they can influence change at their own associations and clubs”.

“It was also hugely motivating to hear Elena speak about her experiences as a disabled fan, and outline how football can change the lives of many disabled people”, Jochen added.

The CAFE team also met with Wim Beelaert, Disability Access Officer at KAA Gent, who led a tour around some of the accessible facilities available at the club’s Ghelamco Arena.

FSE held its biennial General Meeting during the Congress, where the election of its new committee took place.

To find out more about the European Football Fans Congress, please click here.

Published 10/07/2017