The West Ham United Foundation recently hosted an inspiring event at The Foundry as part of the Premier League Fans Fund, with a strong focus on promoting inclusivity in football. The day brought together a diverse range of supporter groups and community partners to celebrate the power of football and its ability to unite communities.
Supporters from groups including Pride of Irons, Any Old Irons (AOI) and the Disabled Supporters Association (DSA) all played a central role in the day’s success. Their contributions through interactive displays and personal stories helped spotlight important issues around accessibility, intersectionality and representation within the footballing world.
The event started with a Q&A with West Ham Foundation ambassador Matt Jarvis, who also recently also became an ambassador for the DSA. Jarvis, who signed for the Club back in 2012, shared powerful reflections on the importance of inclusivity and allyship in football, as well as his reasons for becoming an ambassador.
“It’s an incredible honour to be an ambassador for the DSA,” said Jarvis.
“Experiencing matchday with them was a huge eye-opener for me personally. Things like being picked up from the station to get to the ground - that’s a huge obstacle I wouldn’t have even thought of.”
Following the Q&A, participants took to the pitch for a walking football match for people with Parkinson’s, which served as a trial session for the West Ham United Foundation. The match was co-facilitated by both the West Ham Foundation's dedicated walking football coaches and Arsenal in the Community, who already run a successful Parkinson’s Walking Football programme.
Speaking about the initiative, Jarvis shared how significant this match was for the future of disability football and how he sees the game evolving.
“In our last DSA board meeting we spoke about having Arsenal in the Community’s Parkinson’s walking football side down [for a match], so it’s fantastic to see that we’ve been able to offer this tonight as a trial to hopefully create an opportunity for people moving forwards,” added the ex-West Ham United winger.
Colin Wells, a West Ham fan and participant from the Parkinson’s walking football match, shared his journey into walking football and why the event was so important to him.
“It’s been my aim to have a day like today, because I used to play here for the West Ham supporters' team on a Saturday before home games,” said Wells.
“That was regular eleven-a-side football, but when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, I adapted and started playing walking football. I’ve met people today who want to play walking football, and it’s given me the chance to encourage people to get out there and spread the word.”
Another participant and member of the Disabled Supporters’ Board, Nick Pace, highlighted the important role football can play for people with health conditions.
“Exercise is the only thing known to slow Parkinson’s down, so as well as the enjoyment we get from playing it, it has physical benefits for us as well,” he said.
“I’m really keen to get a West Ham Parkinson’s walking football team going, as the facilities here are first class, and everybody who was here today played with a smile on their face and felt included.”
The Any Old Irons singing group, led by Joe and Mo, added to the atmosphere with stirring renditions of West Ham favourites, bringing fans together through a variety of songs. Attendees also enjoyed fantastic food from the E6 Kitchen provided by Beyond Food, who helped to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all in attendance.
With passionate involvement from all corners of the West Ham community, which also included the Women's Supporters Board, Inclusive Irons and DT38, the event stood as a powerful celebration of progress. It was a reminder of an ongoing journey driven by collaboration, understanding, and a shared commitment to making the game more inclusive for everyone.
To find out more about programmes and sessions or to register your interest in one of this summer's physical activity taster sessions, contact [email protected].
