FSA AGM

Dear Members,

I had the pleasure representing WAFC SC (ST) at the FSA AGM at Wembley on the 20^th July. It certainly brought back happy memories from 2013!

To access the key points from the AGM you can follow this link.  FSA AGM Summary.

As well as the AGM,  there were some interesting plenary sessions that I was able to attend. The highlight was a panel celebrating 10 years of ‘Fans for Diversity’. We heard from a Disability representative, a Gender representative, an Anti-Racial Discrimination representative and LBTQ+representative. All panellists were very positive about the progress made but they added that there is more to be done. The Wigan Athletic Supporters Club committee are working with the club on the ‘Tics Together’ (Diversity) panel to ensure all fans have a good experience of watching Wigan Athletic. You can read more about the FSA work on diversity in football here: Celebrating Diversity

There were lots off opportunities to meet with representatives of other Supporters Clubs / Trusts. There were really interesting ideas exchanged which will be fed into generating ideas and enhancing expertise on the WAFC SC (ST), to foster a better fan experience.

Each attendee was also able to choose workshops to attend. The first panel I attended  was on rights and responsibilities of fans and the role of Clubs and the Police in addressing incidents of football disorder. More on this will be in the next FSA update.

The second panel I attended was on EFL fan engagement. This was a very well attended panel as there have been new dictates in the EFL rules that clubs must adhere to. We also discussed the impending Football Governance Act and the creation of an Independent Football Regulator.

The FSA EFL network manager talked us through the EFL changes as well as providing an FSA view on how Fan Groups can utilise them.

The EFL has recently reinforced its commitment to fan engagement by amending Regulation 128.

The Regulation now reads:

128 Supporter Engagement:

128.1 Clubs shall hold at least two meetings/fans’ forums per Season to which its supporters (or representatives) are to be invited to discuss significant issues relating to the Club. The framework for these meetings shall be documented in the Club’s customer charter, but are subject to the following minimum criteria:

128.1.1 Clubs must be represented by the Club’s majority owner, board Director(s) or other senior executive(s); 128.1.2 where meetings are not open to all supporters wishing to attend, the supporter representatives must be elected, selected or invited in line with basic democratic principles;

and

128.2 Each club shall comply fully with the League’s requirements to create a           Fan Engagement Plan’ and agree to:

128.2.1 produce & publish a Fan Engagement Plan on an annual basis;

128.2.2 nominate a senior Official to oversee delivery of the Club’s Fan Engagement activity;

128.2.3 provide to the League (no later than 30 June each season) an end of season summary of work carried out to achieve the Club’s Fan Engagement Plan objectives

128.3 Where a Club amends its Fan Engagement Plan throughout the course of the Season, the Club must update the version published pursuant to Regulation 128.2.1 with the latest version within no less than 5 business days of it taking effect.

As part of the FSA’s commitment to developing meaningful engagement between supporters and clubs and to support the principles laid out by the EFL, the FSA has produced the following guidance for supporters.

A club can engage with its fans in many ways. The FSA view is that a combination of methods is most effective. Fan representatives should help determine what is both reasonable and effective for their club. Some example engagement model are:

• Fan Advisory Board – the FSA recommends that every club should have an FAB to cover strategic club issues. Albeit not required by EFL rules it is likely that the football regulator will mandate it. I am pleased that WAFC have established the FAB but myself and the WAFC SC (ST) will monitor its work throughout the season.

• Fan consultation group – this construct will look specifically at matchday and operational matters. This role may be combined with that of the FAB and the SLO.
• Structured dialogue – Established supporter groups may wish to have direct avenues of engagement in addition to other models. This can be beneficial but in discussions with the club be clear about what these meetings will deliver in addition to the work of an FAB or equivalent.
• Working group – Particular topics may require more detailed and ongoing discussions. Working groups can run continuously or be set up on an ad hoc basis. Formulated from a mixture of FAB & consultation reps, supporter groups and other supporter representative. As mentioned above the ‘Tics Together’ (Diversity) panel is an example of this type of fan engagement.
• Fan Forums – Usually held once or twice a year, a forum has a club top table who will both present and take questions from the floor. Although these can be beneficial, forums should always be considered as an extra to other constructs; they will not deliver good fan engagement alone. This is the type of feedback that WAFC fans are most familiar with. Usually it provides an opportunity to question key personnel such as the manager, chairman and head of football operations.

The panel was very useful and enhanced my knowledge and understanding of fan engagement.

I really enjoyed the day, maybe not the 5.45am train though!

Thanks all.

Adam

fsa@wiganathleticsupportersclub.co.uk if you have any questions