Harlequins are delighted to announce that the Club has become a member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network. They join many other high-profile organisations, aiming to raise awareness of disabilities and conditions that may not be immediately apparent. The Sunflower is a symbol that supporters with invisible disabilities can wear voluntarily as a lanyard, wristband, or pin badge. It indicates to staff and other match attendees that they may need additional support, understanding, or more time in public spaces.
Ahead of the 24/25 Season, staff and stewards at Harlequins will receive training to learn more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower as the Club continues to raise awareness of non-visible disabilities, ensuring visitors to The Stoop feel supported and offered the appropriate assistance should they require it.
The Sunflower provides a visual queue to staff and stewards that, although a supporter’s disability may not be immediately apparent, Club staff and stewards can recognise and support fans wearing the Sunflower quickly and, if required, discretely.
This initiative is part of the Club’s ongoing commitment to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all, demonstrated by the recent annual Access Day for the Harlequins Women’s fixture against Leicester Tigers Women. Harlequins’ Access Day provides a stepping stone for supporters with any disability to attend a live sporting event with various initiatives that remove the usual barriers found at a sporting matchday. You can find out more about Access Day by clicking here.
Harlequins CEO, Laurie Dalrymple, said:
“We are delighted as a Club to be joining the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network, it is a fantastic initiative that will allow us to offer the necessary support to all attendees at The Stoop, as well as our staff and stewards.
“Rugby prides itself on being a sport for everyone and as a Club, we are always looking for ways in which we can make attending matches at The Stoop as welcoming and easy as possible for all our supporters.”
“We recognise that not all disabilities are visible and by joining the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network, we are taking an important step towards greater accessibility and inclusivity for all attendees at The Stoop.”
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, CEO, Paul White, added:
“Rugby has always been an inclusive day out for all the family, and therefore, we are delighted that Harlequins is opting to make match days even more accessible by focusing on disability inclusion. The Sunflower is the perfect tool to signal to staff and other supporters on match days that the wearer has a non-visible disability and may need an offer of help, extra time, patience and understanding.”
You can contact The Stoop about accessibility by emailing [email protected]. On home match days, visit the Quinformation point.
Learn more about Harlequins accessibility by visiting their website – Harlequins Football Club