Hull City and Platinum Partner Phoenix Building Systems have once again demonstrated their commitment to inclusion by creating a special meet-the-team experience for two young fans as part of International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Harvey and Ava, a brother-and-sister pair, are passionate Hull City supporters who regularly attend matches at the MKM Stadium. Both children live with autosomal dominant optic atrophy disease (ADOA), a rare and incurable condition that progressively affects vision.
Their mum, Elle, described the impact the condition has had over time. “Over time, their sight starts to deteriorate, so Harvey has gone from seeing all colour to now hardly seeing any sort of colour. They can’t see sides, above, below, and they can’t see so far in front.”
To recognise the children’s love for football, Hull City and Phoenix Building Systems invited the family to an open training session at the MKM Stadium. During the visit, Harvey and Ava had the opportunity to meet Head Coach Sergej Jakirović, Assistant Head Coach Dean Holden and members of the squad.
Elle spoke about how meaningful the interaction was for her children. “We got really close with Dean. For him to come over and actually speak to the kids and say, ‘Are you Harvey and Ava?’ Harvey got really overwhelmed and really emotional.
“He doesn’t speak and often holds a lot of emotions inside. The day we arrived at the stadium and actually spoke to the boys was a breath of fresh air, because I could leave him be and he could speak freely of the way he feels.”
Phoenix’s partnership with Hull City also supports ongoing efforts to improve accessibility on matchdays. Working closely with Disability Supporter Liaison Officer Leanne Jensen, the family has seen a noticeable improvement in how their needs are accommodated at games.
“We spoke with Leanne to be able to move our seats across, because we were struggling as they cannot see what we can see,” Elle explained. “Now, it is absolutely perfect.”
“With Ava, we forgot her ear defenders, and there were ear defenders as we walked in, and the club let us borrow them.”
Phoenix Commercial Director Jayne Wilson reflected on the impact of the initiative. “We think a lot about accessibility and inclusivity in the modular spaces we create. Seeing firsthand how much confidence it gave Harvey and Ava when they felt supported and included was incredibly moving.”
Elle added her thanks for the support provided. “I want to thank Phoenix so much for absolutely everything…if it wasn’t for them and Leanne, I don’t think they would have experienced anything like this.”
Now in its third year as a Hull City Platinum Partner, Phoenix Building Systems remains committed to supporting projects that improve accessibility, strengthen community connections and ensure more supporters can enjoy the club they love.