The Level Playing Field Podcast

Andy Stevenson

In this episode of the Level Playing Field [https://www.levelplayingfield.org.uk/]Podcast, Liam Bird speaks with sports journalist Andy Stevenson [https://x.com/AndyStevenson81] about disability, sport, and working in the media. Recorded at Reading Football Club, Andy shares his journey into sports journalism, from growing up loving football to covering Olympic and Paralympic sport. He talks honestly about access barriers in stadiums, learning when to ask for support, visibility on screen, and dealing with online abuse. The conversation also explores why access and inclusion in sport still matter, and Andy’s advice for disabled people who want to work in journalism. If you wish to contact Level Playing Field, please email info@levelpalyingfield.org.uk ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Annual Fan Survey Results 2025

In this episode, Liam is joined by Level Playing Field’s Chief Executive, Owain Davies, and Head of Club Relations & Development, Daniel Townley, to unpack the findings from our 2025 Annual Fan Survey – the largest of its kind for disabled sports fans in the UK. You can read the survey in full via this link [https://www.levelplayingfield.org.uk/news-item/2025-level-playing-field-annual-fan-survey-results/]or visit https://www.levelplayingfield.org.uk/news-item/2025-level-playing-field-annual-fan-survey-results/ [https://www.levelplayingfield.org.uk/news-item/2025-level-playing-field-annual-fan-survey-results/] More than 2,000 disabled supporters, across 173 clubs and multiple sports, shared their real matchday experiences. Together, we explore what the data is telling us about: * The biggest barriers to attending live sport, from physical access to public transport and ticketing * Why demand for PA/companion tickets keeps rising – and why access to them is getting harder * Accessible parking, sustainability, and whether clubs are being forced to choose between being “green” and being accessible * The impact of staff attitudes, steward training and club culture on disabled fans If you’re a disabled fan, work at a club, or care about access and inclusion in live sport, this episode is for you. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Jon Roberts - Lilly and Myles: The Match

In this episode, Liam speaks with Jon, author and parent of a young autistic daughter, about his journey of turning personal experiences into a series of children’s books. Jon shares how his daughter Kaya inspired Lilly and Myles: The Match [https://www.google.com/search?q=Lilly+and+Myles%3A+The+Match&rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB1051GB1051&oq=Lilly+and+Myles%3A+The+Match&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRiPAjIHCAIQIRiPAtIBBzM1MmowajeoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8]—a story that explores the excitement and challenges of attending football through the eyes of an autistic child. If you would like to know more about the work we do at Level Playing Field, then please do get in contact info@levelplayingfield.org.uk or visit levelplayingfield.org.uk [https://www.levelplayingfield.org.uk/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Ijah Anderson

In this episode of the Level Playing Field Podcast, host Liam Bird sits down with former Brentford, Bristol Rovers, and Swansea City defender Ijah Anderson at the Gtech Community Stadium. Ijah reflects on a playing career that spanned over 200 games for Brentford, but the conversation moves beyond football. After retiring, Ijah was diagnosed as autistic — a revelation that reshaped how he understood both his past and himself. Ijah discuss the challenges of navigating professional football with an undiagnosed neurodivergence, the emotional toll of masking, and the barriers autistic people still face in sport and wider society. Whether you’re a football fan, an advocate for disability inclusion, or simply interested in powerful personal stories — this one’s for you. If you would like to know more about the work we do at Level Playing Field, then please do get in contact info@levelplayingfield.org.uk or visit levelplayingfield.org.uk [https://www.levelplayingfield.org.uk/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan & Sian Jones: Leeds Rhinos and The RFL

In this episode of the Level Playing Field podcast, guest host Joey Crabtree (Media and Communications Officer at Level Playing Field) heads to AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium for a conversation about disability inclusion, access, and community in rugby league.   He’s joined by Leeds Rhinos' Head of Customer Experience, Sian Jones, and club legend turned Inclusion Director, Jamie Jones-Buchanan.   Together, they explore the club’s journey to becoming more inclusive—from building relationships with disabled fans and creating action plans to improve accessibility, to engaging with local communities and the wider sport through the RFL Inclusion Board.   Jamie shares what he’s learned since stepping into his EDI role, how his late teammate Rob Burrow continues to influence his values and work. If you would like to know more about the work we do at Level Playing Field, then please do get in contact info@levelplayingfield.org.uk or visit levelplayingfield.org.uk [https://www.levelplayingfield.org.uk/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.