Last season, our Club Brugge Foundation launched the fan group 'Deaf Club Brugge Fans', to connect deaf and hard of hearing Club fans with each other and to involve them in the supporter event at Club Brugge. This initiative was awarded the 'Participation Award' by the Bruges Urban Council for Persons with Disabilities.
One year ago, Club Brugge Foundation and a number of deaf Club supporters started a fan group for people who are hard of hearing or deaf. The 'Deaf Club Brugge Fans' aims to reach and connect supporters who are deaf or hard of hearing with each other in their passion around Club Brugge. Based on their expertise, they support Club in making the soccer experience accessible and inclusive through knowledge and information sharing. This fan group organizes adapted activities for the deaf and hard of hearing. Last year, for example, the Champions Celebration in the Market Square was equipped with a sign language interpreter, an adapted Stadium Tour was organized for the target group, and some adjustments were made to the match experience to make it more accessible to the target group.
Every year, the Municipal Council for Persons with Disabilities awards the 'Participation Award' to organizations in Bruges that have made an exceptional contribution to enabling persons with disabilities to participate and belong in society. The award was presented last Sunday prior to Club Brugge vs Standard by the chairwoman of the Urban Council for Persons with Disabilities Bruges Lieve Dossche and empowered Bruges Alderman Pieter Marechal.
Chairwoman Lieve Dossche: "In Bruges, a lot of organizations are committed to getting involved for persons 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 soccer experience more accessible in a constructive way is for us a wonderful example of participation."
Bridge Alderman Pieter Marechal: "Club Brugge is a soccer club that reaches a lot of people and also brings masses together on a weekly basis. As a city, we find it fantastic 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."
Board Member Deaf Club Brugge Fans Tim Landuyt: "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 do not know us and we do not know them. This award will certainly contribute to this. Fans who are deaf or hard of hearing and want to get in touch with us can email foundation@clubbrugge.be."