Footy fans with disabilities unable to access stand at Whitten Oval

Footy fans with disabilities are being left to watch their beloved Bulldogs teams in sweltering heat or biting cold because of a lack of access to the stand at Whitten Oval. And it’s making them think twice about going to matches.

Bulldogs fan David Porter says Whitten Oval does not cater to people with disabilities and he sweltered in 37 degree heat over summer. Picture: George Salpigtidis

A MAN in a wheelchair says fans with disabilities are being forced to watch their beloved Bulldogs teams in sweltering heat or biting cold because of a lack of access to the stand at Whitten Oval.

David Porter, who has used a wheelchair for two years and is a former co-president of the Western Bulldogs cheer squad, is calling on the club to make its home ground more accessible for people with disabilities.

The ground is used by the club’s VFL and AFLW sides for home matches, while the AFL side trains there.

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Mr Porter, 60, said there were no ramps to access the stands and he was forced to watch games in the open.

“There is no shelter from the weather. You either sit in the sun and heat, or wind and rain,” he said.

“At recent games it has gotten to 37C and over and no shade or access to the stand.”

David Porter is a die-hard farm who was the co-president of the Western Bulldogs cheer squad. Picture: Supplied

Mr Porter said the only areas people with disabilities could access had restrictive viewing.

“They are either behind player boxes or beside the player races where you cannot see over the boxes or through the wire fences on the race,” Mr Porter said.

“I have to think twice about going to the footy at the Whitten Oval, knowing the only area to get out of the weather is to go into the cafe and not be able to see the game due to obstructions such as walls and interchange boxes.”

During a recent game, Mr Porter said he was forced to retreat to the cafe to cool down during quarter breaks because of the heat.

“I had to spend the last quarter inside the cafe due to feeling sick and getting sunburnt,” he said.

“It is just as important for people with disabilities to be able to enjoy the game as most able bodies do. If it rains able people can move undercover and still enjoy the game.

“We pay the same price as everyone else but don’t get the same amenities.”

Mr Porter said it was time the ground was made more accessible to those with disabilities. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Western Bulldogs operating officer Sue Clark said Whitten Oval was accessible for people with disabilities, including those who required wheelchair access.

“The club acknowledges, however, that access to some viewing areas of the oval are limited, due to much of the precinct’s infrastructure being dated and in need of upgrading,” she said.

The Bulldogs were last year handed control of a $16 million parcel of land adjoining their current facility by the State Government and are developing a masterplan to turn the precinct into a ‘Mecca’ for AFLW football.

“We can assure all of our members and fans that the master plan for the new Whitten Oval precinct will provide vastly improved amenities and access for those with disabilities,” Ms Clark said.