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The venue was Nordbank Arena, in Hamburg, Germany. The dates were the 17th-19th July 2009. And on the agenda was the Never Watch Alone Initiative (NWAI) at the European Football Fans Congress.

More than 300 fans and delegates of fans‘ organisations from 29 different countries registered for the event, representing more than 2 million football fans across the continent in total.

NWAI co-ordinator Terry Mann attended the event to deliver a workshop presentation about the initiative happening here in Wigan. This unique partnership between the Wigan Learning Disability Partnership Board and the National Association of Disabled Supporters took centre stage at the Raising Awareness on Disabled Fans' Rights workshop.

This local Initiative with international potential was shared with representatives from neighbouring European countries. It soon transpired this Initiative is the first of its kind in Europe in assisting people with learning disabilities to attend matches with their fellow supporters. During our workshop, one of the participants, from a Baltic nation, was quoted as saying "What you are saying to us is science fiction!" This comment emphasized how progressive our development work is in promoting Fulfilling Lives for people with Learning Disabilties.

The workshop generated lots of interest and discussion, and these recommendations will be submitted onto the independent European football fans’ network, whose members will represent the interests of football fans at European level and towards UEFA (Union of European Football Associations), amongst others.

The event was supported by UEFA whilst acknowledging its independent nature. William Gaillard, Personal Advisor to the President, gave opening speech on behalf of UEFA.

View the NWAI PowerPoint Presentation from the Disabled Fans Workshop.

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