Leeds Rhinos Launch Rhinos Access Accessibility Scheme 2026; Leeds, 2026

Key Points

• Leeds Rhinos celebrated Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) by highlighting their dedicated accessibility scheme, Rhinos Access, the first of its kind among Rugby League clubs
• Rhinos Access aims to make AMT Headingley Stadium “accessible for all” by bringing together all accessibility services under one banner
• The scheme is entirely voluntary and provides fans with tools to communicate discreetly and with dignity with stewards and club staff about their accessibility requirements
• Ashley Marshall serves as the club’s dedicated Accessibility Liaison Officer, contactable at 0113 203 3242 or ashley.marshall@therhinos.co.uk
• Rhinos Access includes a Rhinos Access Visitors Guide and a Rhinos Access PASSPORT that allows fans to discreetly communicate additional accessibility requirements
• The club understands that each fan’s accessibility requirements are personal and they might not feel comfortable discussing these in open settings
• Leeds Rhinos fully supports the Equality Act 2010 and opposes all forms of unlawful discrimination on the grounds of disability
• Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2025 was observed on Thursday, 15 May (third Thursday of May), focusing on digital access and inclusion for over one billion people with disabilities worldwide
• The scheme covers improving facilities, enhancing communication, and supporting individual needs to build an environment where everyone can fully participate

Headingley (The Leeds Times) May 21, 2025 – Leeds Rhinos are proud to shine a spotlight on ‘Rhinos Access’, the club’s dedicated accessibility scheme designed to make experiences more inclusive, welcoming, and empowering for everyone, as the rugby league club marks Global Accessibility Awareness Day by reinforcing its commitment to ensuring that accessibility is never an afterthought but rather at the heart of everything the club does.

Why Is RHINOS ACCESS Considered a Groundbreaking Initiative in Rugby League?

As reported on the club’s official website, Leeds Rhinos is the first Rugby League Club to have a dedicated accessibility scheme to assist fans who may have additional accessibility requirements.

RHINOS ACCESS is the new accessibility scheme for Leeds Rhinos and AMT Headingley which will bring together all accessibility the club offers under one banner.

The aim of RHINOS ACCESS is simply ‘Making AMT Headingley a stadium accessible for all’, according to the club’s official statement.

This distinction marks a significant milestone in Rugby League, where disability accessibility has historically received less attention compared to other major sports leagues in the UK.

How Does the Club AddressFans’ Personal Accessibility Requirements Discreetly?

Leeds Rhinos wants to make sure that Accessibility is at the forefront of the Club, and the club wants to create an atmosphere that is welcoming to all, as stated in their official communications.

The club recognises a crucial aspect of disability support: they understand that each fan’s accessibility requirements are personal to each individual fan and they might not feel comfortable discussing these in an open setting.

RHINOS ACCESS is important as it gives fans the tools to communicate with Stewards and Club Staff in a discreet and dignified manner, according to the club.

This approach addresses a significant barrier that many disabled fans face when attending live sporting events – the discomfort of having to publicly disclose personal accessibility needs.

To assist with this, Leeds Rhinos has a dedicated scheme called ‘RHINOS ACCESS PASSPORT’, so fans can discreetly communicate with club staff and stewards what additional accessibility requirements they have. On the passport, fans will be able to include Emergency Contacts and information about

“Things that may help you and assist you during your visit to AMT Headingley Stadium”.

What Services Are Available Through RHINOS ACCESS?

RHINOS ACCESS is about breaking down barriers, creating opportunities and making sure every voice is heard and valued, the club stated in their Global Accessibility Awareness Day announcement.

Whether it’s improving facilities, enhancing communication, or supporting individual needs, the club is working to build an environment where everyone can fully participate and enjoy.

The services that Leeds Rhinos offers are outlined in the RHINOS ACCESS VISITORS GUIDE to support fans with their attendance at AMT Headingley Stadium. Fans can view a full Accessible Visitors Guide for AMT Headingley Stadium by clicking through to the Leeds Rhinos Accessible Visitors Guide or watching a video with subtitles for a full visual guide.

The Club has a range of services and assistance available to spectators with access requirements, according to the Accessible Visitors Guide.

Leeds Rhinos and their partners fully support the principle of equal opportunities, oppose all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination on the grounds of disability, and will strive to comply with both the provisions and spirit of the Equality Act 2010 incorporating the Disability Discrimination Act.

Who Can Fans Contact for Accessibility Support on Match Days?

Our dedicated Accessibility Liaison Officer, Ashley Marshall, or the Customer Experience Team are available to assist disabled supporters and can be contacted via the Ticket Sales Office, according to the club’s official guide.

Accessibility Liaison Officer Contact Details:

• Name: Ashley Marshall
• Address: AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium, St Michaels Lane, Leeds LS6 3BR
• Telephone: 0113 203 3242
• Email: Ashley.Marshall@therhinos.co.uk

Leeds have appointed Ashley Marshall from their customer experience team as Accessibility Liaison Officer, as reported by Rugby League news. If fans are unable to use online registration links for accessibility meetings, they can contact Ashley Marshall directly on 0113 2033242.

Is RHINOS ACCESS Mandatory for Fans to Use?

No, RHINOS ACCESS is all voluntary and it is there if any fan wishes to use the services that Leeds Rhinos offers, the club clarified. The scheme exists to support fans who choose to utilise it, rather than requiring all attendees to register or participate.

Fans can apply for a RHINOS ACCESS PASSPORT by clicking through to the official application form at forms.office.com/e/P2z9NE0bGi.

This voluntary approach ensures that the scheme remains accessible without creating additional barriers for fans who may not need these services.

What Is Global Accessibility Awareness Day and Why Does It Matter?

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), observed annually on the third Thursday of May, shines a light on digital access and inclusion for over one billion people with disabilities and impairments worldwide, according to Georgia State University’s explanation of the event. In 2025, GAAD fell on Thursday, May 15.

Its core purpose is to encourage everyone to talk, think, and learn about creating digital environments that are accessible to all. GAAD inspires all stakeholders to build with accessibility in mind, ensuring that everyone has equal access to the digital world.

Taking place on the third Thursday of May, it’s a chance for individuals, organisations and communities to highlight how we can make the world more accessible and inclusive for everyone, no matter their abilities, as reported by Motability Scheme. GAAD helps to raise awareness for the 1.3 billion people globally living with a disability.

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How Does Leeds Rhinos’ Work Connect to Broader Accessibility Campaigns?

The club’s accessibility work aligns with broader initiatives in UK sport. The national sports disability charity Level Playing Field recently launched ‘Unite For Access’ 2025, their annual campaign that promotes access and inclusion for fans with a disability.

From 1st to 16th March, sporting communities across England and Wales, including EFL Clubs, recognised and celebrated their supporters who live with a disability.

AMT Headingley has hosted the Level Playing Field North Forum, demonstrating the stadium’s role as a venue for accessibility discussions within rugby league.

Disabled Leeds Rhinos fans helped rugby league record an unprecedented number of responses in the 2023 Level Playing Field Annual Fan Survey, with the club finishing in the top ten clubs across England and Wales for responses to the charity’s survey.

Level Playing Field aims to gather valuable insight on the matchday experiences of disabled sports fans across England and Wales, and results are shared with governing bodies such as the RFL, and with professional clubs who receive reports providing a clearer picture of their specific areas of improvement and weakness alongside wider trends.

What Additional Accessibility Programmes Does The Club Support?

For more information regarding extra requirements on match days, fans can contact Ashley Marshall, Accessibility Liaison Officer for match days. Alternatively, for more information on disability and inclusion programmes, fans can contact disability@leedsrhinosfoundation.org.

The Leeds Rhinos Foundation has demonstrated commitment to inclusion through various programmes. The Foundation is committed to supporting World Autism Acceptance Week, which aims to draw attention to the 700,000 people living with autism in the UK, both to educate those unaware of the condition and to help make the world friendlier to those who are affected by it.

The Foundation also runs Wheelchair Rugby League training sessions open to players of all abilities, with sports chairs provided for participants to use. Training takes place at Leeds Beckett University, Green Sports Hall, Carnegie Sports Centre, Headingley Campus, on Wednesday evenings from 7pm-8pm.

Each week, approximately 80 participants regularly access physical activity sessions through the Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s health and wellbeing programmes.

Background: The Development of RHINOS ACCESS and Accessibility in Rugby League

The RHINOS ACCESS scheme represents a significant evolution in Leeds Rhinos’ approach to disability inclusion. The club appointed Ashley Marshall from their customer experience team as Accessibility Liaison Officer, marking a formal commitment to accessibility leadership. This appointment preceded the launch of the comprehensive RHINOS ACCESS scheme, which became the first dedicated accessibility scheme among Rugby League clubs.

The scheme’s development coincides with increased scrutiny on sports stadium accessibility across the UK. The 2023 Level Playing Field Annual Fan Survey received more than 1,750 responses from disabled fans across all sports, with troubling rises in the percentage of disabled sports fans for whom ‘inaccessible public transport’ and ‘disability abuse’ are barriers when attending live sport.

The 2024 Level Playing Field Survey continued this work, asking disabled Rugby League supporters for their views on barriers to enjoying live games.

Leeds Rhinos’ accessibility work aligns with legal requirements under the Equality Act 2010, which incorporates the Disability Discrimination Act.

The club has stated it will strive to comply with both the provisions and spirit of this legislation, Opposing all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination on the grounds of disability.

The RHINOS ACCESS VISITORS GUIDE includes a video with subtitles, demonstrating the club’s commitment to digital accessibility alongside physical stadium improvements. This multi-format approach reflects GAAD’s emphasis on digital access and inclusion.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Disabled Rugby League Fans

The RHINOS ACCESS scheme’s establishment is likely to have measurable impacts on disabled fans attending Leeds Rhinos matches. Based on the voluntary nature of the scheme and the discreet communication tools provided through the RHINOS ACCESS PASSPORT, fans who previously avoided attending matches due to concerns about disclosing accessibility needs publicly may now feel more comfortable attending games.

The dedicated Accessibility Liaison Officer role, with direct contact details publicly available, provides disabled supporters with a clear pathway to assistance that did not previously exist in this structured form. This could reduce the anxiety many disabled fans experience when navigating unfamiliar stadium environments without knowing who to approach for help.

For the broader Rugby League community, Leeds Rhinos’ position as the first club with a dedicated accessibility scheme creates a benchmark that other clubs may follow. The Level Playing Field survey data shows rugby league achieved unprecedented response rates from disabled fans, suggesting strong engagement with accessibility issues within the sport. As individual clubs receive detailed reports on their performance from Level Playing Field, pressure may increase for other clubs to develop similar schemes.

Disabled fans across England and Wales benefit indirectly from the data sharing between Level Playing Field and clubs, as the charity provides individual reports showing specific areas of improvement and weakness. Leeds Rhinos’ participation in these surveys and their public accessibility commitments position them favourably when compared to clubs with less transparent accessibility provisions.

The scheme’s voluntary nature means adoption depends on fan awareness and willingness to engage. Fans who remain unaware of RHINOS ACCESS may not benefit from its services, suggesting that continued promotion of the scheme through matchday communications, social media, and partnerships with disability organisations will be crucial for maximising its impact.

For families and carers of disabled fans, the RHINOS ACCESS PASSPORT’s inclusion of emergency contacts and assistance information provides practical support that could make attending matches less stressful for entire groups, not just the individual with accessibility requirements. This ensemble benefit may encourage more group attendance at matches.