The Supporters Club & Trust; as firm believers in football being accessible to all; have funded a brand new multi-faith room at Ashton Gate to be used for all Bristol City men’s & women’s home games at the stadium
Visitors now have an accessible and dedicated space to pray in accordance with their religious practice on matchday and non-matchdays.
Previously located in the Robins Foundation classrooms, this newly-created space is off the Dolman Stand concourse, opposite the S27/A9 vomitory. It will open at the same time as turnstiles on City & Bristol Bears matchdays and can be accessed via the signed door, which will be staffed, and access will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Open to visitors of all faiths, the project is a collaboration between the club, the Supporters Club & Trust (who have funded the project), the Robins Foundation and Ashton Gate Stadium.
The Supporters Club & Trust are proud to sponsor the multi-faith room, with our regular logo on display outside with the following message:
“Bristol City Supporters Club & Trust, as firm believers in football being accessible to all, are proud to sponsor this multi-faith room”
The Multi-Faith Room will be open to supporters from Friday, February 27th as City take on Watford in the Sky Bet Championship.
Ashton Gate Chief Operating Officer Ross Wormald: “We’re delighted to open the Multi-Faith Room. It’s really important for Ashton Gate to be inclusive and accessible to every visitor. Alongside the Sensory Room and the Family Room, which we have opened in collaboration with Bristol City in the last 12 months, the Multi-Faith Room reinforces our collective commitment to ensuring the stadium is accessible and welcoming to all.”
The club consulted with members of the community to deliver the project, including Robins Foundation Fan Advisor Board representative Mohammed Dola, the Robins Foundation’s Central Bristol Youth Council and Youth Mentor and Coach Hudayfa Hassan. Through the consultation process, the club were advised on what to include inside the room, how it will best serve the community and ensure accessibility for all.
Dola said: “For me to be involved has meant a lot. I had input, the club did its research, asked for what’s important for the room and set up. The room is brilliant and it’s exactly what’s required. For me, prayer means more than anything and although football is a big passion of mine, my religion comes first. This room accommodates and reassures me that I can be punctual for the game as I’m able to pray at the stadium before, during and after.”
Supporters Club & Trust Chair Stu Rogers said: “It’s been a while in the works and it’s a really great initiative – I’m really pleased we have finally gotten there. For those who want to come to football and need to practice their religious beliefs, I think this is perfect and it absolutely right were providing that space.”
Hudayfa Hassan added: “I’m born and bred in Bristol and from the St. Paul’s area. It’s nice to work with the club in the City that you grew up in and be consulted and know that your opinion is heard and respected.”
Away from matchday, the facility is accessible during working hours to staff from Ashton Gate, Bristol Sport and its foundations, students on Robins Foundation education courses, and event visitors. The room will also be utilised by local groups attending the stadium, emphasising the commitment to our community.
All photos courtesy of Will Cooper/Bristol City.
This article contains wording originally featured on the Bristol City website