FA Play Safe Weekend 2025

Marc Lewis
Oct 1, 2025
2 min read

Image: Bristol Rovers Matchday Pirate Deck Children's Zone.

Celebrating the FA’s Play Safe Campaign at the Bristol Rovers Matchday Pirate Deck.

This weekend, Bristol Rovers Community Trust proudly supported the FA’s annual Play Safe Campaign, which highlights the importance of making football safer at every level of the game.

This year’s theme - “Small talk is bigger than you think” - focused on creating environments where children and young people feel empowered, listened to, and supported.

To mark the occasion, we celebrated the success of our new Pirate Deck Area. Located at The Memorial Stadium, the Pirate Deck is a dedicated safe play zone for children and families to enjoy on a matchday.

A joint venture between Bristol Rovers FC, Bristol Rovers Supporters Club, and the Community Trust, the Pirate Deck provides a secure, welcoming space where children can enjoy the excitement of a matchday in a calm, fun, and engaging environment. It also allows young fans to make new friends, play safely, and develop through a range of physical and cognitive activities.

Projects like this are vital for encouraging and nurturing the next generation of fans. At Bristol Rovers, we want our Young Pirates to feel valued, included, and an important part of the matchday experience.

We spoke to Clive Marshall, Treasurer of the Bristol Rovers Supporters Club, who played a key role in the Pirate Deck’s development. He shared:

“It’s a fantastic safe space for families to enjoy the Fanzone and come to the ground knowing their son or daughter is looked after in a secure area. It allows everyone to get into the spirit of the day and feel that sense of togetherness.

This project is significant for the club, and it’s only the beginning. We can and will do more. The feedback so far has been incredible, and I’m proud of the work - it’s fit for purpose, and it’s making a real difference for children and parents.”