Looking after rugby fans like Finlay & George
Allianz Stadium's brand new sensory room is making match days more accessible.
When your aunt’s on the front of the match programme and running out with the Red Roses onto the Allianz Stadium pitch to take on New Zealand’s Black Ferns you want to be there to cheer her on.
But if you have autism and ADHD, the crowds, the noise and the atmosphere can be more overwhelming than exciting.
Finlay, “an amazing little boy,” who is tight-head prop Sarah Bern’s nephew and his little brother, George, were at Saturday’s Test, however, because there’s a new and very special hospitality room at the stadium serving a particular group of rugby fans.
On level six in the West Stand, a sensory room has been created, with funding from Wooden Spoon and its partner Rugbytots, so that those with neurodiversity can enjoy watching on match days in an environment which isn’t overwhelming, but is tailored to their needs.
The stadium is committed to improving accessibility and making the venue more inclusive and, as well as the new sensory room, there’s now a remote video interpreting service for deaf fans.
Neurodiversity can involve sensory overload likely to deter those affected from being in the stadium bowl with match day crowds. The sensory room is intended to give every rugby fan the chance to enjoy the game.
Red Roses star, Sarah, who is also a Wooden Spoon Ambassador, wants a world where youngsters like Finlay, who has autism and ADHD, are supported and understood.
He is, she says: “just the most amazing little boy. He’s brilliant and he loves me. But it’s tough because his challenges are not visible, and I feel for him because he’s going to grow up in a world where he doesn’t feel like he fits.
“When he feels safe, he’s the best version of himself and I want us to make the world better for kids like him and his little brother George, who is going through similar things.
“It’s tough for my sister and other parents handling similar situations. She puts her best foot forward and that’s what I find inspiring.”
Sarah was instrumental in the introduction of the sensory room, having pitched the idea and the way to fund it.
She says: “Knowing that my sister can come along with my nephews and feel the necessary support to be at the stadium while enjoying the day means that I can feel the support from her.
“They can enjoy aspects of life that Finlay and George usually find difficult and it means the world to me and my family.”
With expert guidance from Wooden Spoon, the sensory room is a safe space where sensory input can be controlled. Opened for the Red Roses Test, it will now be available during match times and open to children in the local community outside of match days.
To use the room, you must be registered with our Personal Assistant (PA) scheme. The sensory room is limited to a capacity of five PA members plus their carer/parent/guardian (10 people in total). For balloted England matches, you must apply for the PA ballot when launched, saying you want to use the room, and normal ballot criteria must be met. For more information, visit the sensory room page.
England Rugby has also introduced SignVideo’s video remote interpreting, allowing deaf fans to communicate with hearing staff at the stadium using a mobile or tablet. The stadium has also introduced SignVideo’s video relay service to connect hearing and deaf people via telephone.
By clicking a link on the ‘Contact Us’ page on the England Rugby website, deaf British Sign Language users are connected to a qualified interpreter and can get information or book tickets.
Allianz Stadium already provides wheelchair and accessible seating, provision for assistance dogs, specially trained Accessible Support Stewards and Audio Descriptive Commentary.
Alex Cohen, RFU Venue Director said: “We want to be as inclusive as possible and both the sensory room and the video remote interpreting system are part of that.”
Sarah Webb, Wooden Spoon CEO said: "Wooden Spoon has proudly funded over 200 sensory rooms, supporting 202,000 children a year.
“We would love to see a sensory room in every rugby stadium across the home nations, providing inclusive and accessible environments for children and people of all abilities to enjoy the sport we love."
