Kibice Razem / niedziela, 3 września 2023

SUPPORTERS UNITED - WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

SUPPORTERS UNITED – WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
SUPPORTERS UNITED is one of the key projects of the Ministry of Sport and Tourism, which connects fans with state bodies. What is its goal? To make sports events safe and well-organized. The key to this success is dialogue. As Kevin Miles, an expert on fan dialogue from the UK, said: "Fans are not the problem - they are part of the solution."

WHAT DO WE WANT TO ACHIEVE WITH FANS?
Fans are not just observers of football matches. They are people who want to influence their clubs, actively participate in the life of their cities and compete with other fans. For this reason, the goals for the SUPPORTERS UNITED program for 2022-2024 are clear:
1. activate fans for social activities and integrate them into the local community
2. democratize and professionalize fan associations
3. promote positive fan support, reduce aggression
4. open stadiums to socially excluded groups
5. activate people with disabilities through participation in sports events
6. build a positive image of the fan in the public opinion

HOW DOES SUPPORTERS UNITED WORK?
The program currently operates in 19 cities in Poland. Each local center is headed by an NGO (Non Government Organization). These centers are places where fans and state and local government bodies can work together, and their activities are supported by the program's national coordinator.

WHO'S WITH US?
Fans of many clubs are with us in the program! In the 2023/24 season, eight centers represent fans of Ekstraklasa teams, seven first-league teams, three second-league teams and one third-league team.
– Arka Gdynia
– GKS Bełchatów
– GKS Tychy
– Górnik Zabrze
– Jagiellonia Białystok
– KKS 1925 Kalisz
– Korona Kielce
– Lech Poznań
– Lechia Gdańsk
– Miedź Legnica
– Motor Lublin
– Odra Opole
– Pogoń Szczecin
– Polonia Warszawa
– Ruch Chorzów
– Sandecja Nowy Sącz
– Stal Mielec
– Stal Stalowa Wola
– Śląsk Wrocław

SUPPORTERS UNITED – SOURCES OF FUNDING
The SUPPORTERS UNITED program in 2022-2024 is financially supported from three main directions:
1. the Ministry of Sports and Tourism – the owner of the program is one of the most important sources of subsidies
2. local governments – their contribution is crucial, especially since fans represent local communities
3. the Polish Football Association (Polski Związek Piłki Nożnej) – as the main governing body of football in Poland, the PZPN also contributes its share of funding.
Wanting to take a closer look at this: in 2022, a total of almost PLN 3.9 million has been allocated for the operation of the program and for the support of the nineteen SUPPORTERS UNITED centers. Including:
• Local governments invested more than PLN 1.6 million,
• The Ministry of Sports and Tourism contributed nearly PLN 1.8 million,
• The Polish Football Association donated more than PLN 437 thousand for the coordination of the program.

SUPPORTERS UNITED – OUR CENTERS ACROSS POLAND
In 2023, our network of SUPPORTWRS UNITED centers covers thirteen voivodeships and has nineteen active facilities. And it's not over yet! Many fans and their associations want to join us.
Taking a look behind the scenes of the Program's operation; here's who the people are who make it up:
• 38 Local Coordinators – they are our eyes and ears in different corners of Poland,
• The central team consists of two main coordinators, making sure everything goes according to plan,
• A special duo takes care of cooperation with disabled fans,
• and let's not forget the nearly 200 wonderful volunteers who passionately support our local centers.

OUR SECTOR AT NATIONAL TEAM STADIUMS!
When the Polish national team plays at PGE National Stadium and other arenas in Poland, we have a special place there. Each time, 200 amazing fans from four different centers gather in the SUPPORTERS UNITED SECTOR! Their passion and cheering drives the red and white team. For many children, this is a true celebration of sports that stays in their memories forever. Who knows, maybe they will be the ones standing on this field as players one day?

SUPPORTERS UNITED - IN NUMBERS
Our achievements over the past year include:
• 1,000 mentions of our activities in the media,
• 230 organizations working side by side with us,
• 120 sports events for local communities,
• More than 400 workshops to improve fan competencies – from training to language learning,
• More than 80 charity events, through which we helped those who need it most.