Bolton Wanders FC bring in audio description at home games

The innovative scheme will make sure that Whites fans with visual impairments will be able to listen to this specialist commentary at every game played at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

This has been made possible thanks to work by the Bolton Wanderers Development Association (BWDA) and “vital funding” from the BWFC Lotteries scheme.

Wanderers chief operating officer Phil Mason said: “We are so grateful to the BWDA for their support in bringing this new and inclusive service to Bolton Wanderers. 

“Without their vital funding, this project would not have been possible.

The Toughsheet Community Stadium (Image: Newsquest)

“The BWDA donated over a quarter of a million pounds to the club just before Christmas, all via fundraising from the Lotteries scheme.

“This substantial amount will go directly back into Bolton Wanderers, funding important projects to keep pushing our club forward.”

“Audio description” is a specialist kind of commentary that gives listeners a details description of everything that happens during a match.

As well as football games, it has also been used in recent years to help people with sight loss or other visual impairments to enjoy films and television programmes.

Introducing the scheme to Bolton Wanders is the latest in a long line of projects aimed at improving the home of the Whites.

These other initiatives, also funded by BWDA include a CCTV upgrade project, an access control upgrade, in-stadia LEDs and a training ground upgrade.

To bring in the new audio description service, the club has partnered with sound and vision specialist Alan March Sport.

The firm is well practiced in this regard and already gives the same service to other football clubs around England and Wales.

ALSO READ: Bolton Wanderers rue missed chances in Leyton Orient defeat

ALSO READ: Fatigue was not to blame for ‘inexplicable’ defeat, says Wanderers boss

ALSO READ: Leyton Orient 1-0 Bolton Wanderers – recap and highlights

Wanderers has now trained volunteer commentators to use the equipment and since it was launched earlier this month a number of fans have now taken up the service.

The club says that so far the feedback has been positive and they hope to encourage anyone who may benefit from audio description to make use of it.

Fans can book receivers to hear audio descriptions of home games by emailing tickets@bwfc.co.uk at least 24 hours before kick-off.

Wanderers supporters can also sign up to BWFC Lotteries to contribute to funding projects like these and have the opportunity to win cash prizes by emailing lotteries@bwfc.co.uk. 

Source – INDIA TV