Club Brugge Foundation wins the prize with ‘Deaf Club Brugge Fans’
Last season, Club Brugge Foundation launched the fan group ‘Deaf Club Brugge Fans’, to connect deaf and hard-of-hearing Club fans with each other and involve them in the supporters’ event at Club Brugge. This initiative was awarded the ‘Participation Award’ by the Bruges Urban Council for people with disabilities.
Club Brugge Foundation and a number of deaf club supporters started a fan group for people who are hearing-impaired or deaf one year ago. The ‘Deaf Club Brugge Fans’ aims to reach and connect supporters who are deaf or hard of hearing in their passion around Club Brugge. Based on their expertise, they support the club in making the football experience accessible and inclusive through knowledge and information sharing. This fan group organises adapted activities for the deaf and hard of hearing. Last year, for instance, the Champions Celebration in the Market Square was equipped with a sign language interpreter, an adapted stadium tour was organised for the target group and some adjustments were made to the match experience to make it more accessible for the target group.
Every year, the Municipal Council for people with disabilities awards the ‘Participation Award’ to Bruges organisations that have made an exceptional contribution to enable persons with disabilities to participate and take part in society, so that they also belong. The award was presented last Sunday prior to Club Brugge vs Standard by chairwoman of the Urban Council for people with disabilities Bruges Lieve Dossche and authorised Bruges Alderman Pieter Marechal.
“In Bruges, a lot of organisations are committed to getting involved for people with disabilities. The fact that this fan group is supported by a group of deaf and hard-of-hearing club fans who, in cooperation with the operation of Club Brugge Foundation, want to make the football experience more accessible in a constructive way is for us a wonderful example of participation.”
Lieve Dossche, Chairwoman of the Urban Council
“Club Brugge is a football club that reaches a lot of people and also brings masses together on a weekly basis. As a city, we think it is great to see that Club has an eye for all individuals in our society. Club is a pioneer in Belgium with this fan group. We hope that this success story can be an inspiration for other sports clubs and sports branches.”
Pieter Marechal, Alderman of Brugge
“We only started as a fan group one year ago and already count more than 70 club supporters who are deaf & hard of hearing. But we are convinced that there are still many who don’t know us and we don’t know them. This award will certainly contribute to this.”
Tim Landuyt, Board member of Deaf Club Brugge Fans
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