The New
York Red Bulls will be hosting the annual Autism Acceptance Match this Saturday.
The match will be presented by Hackensack Meridian Health at 4
p.m. when the Red Bulls host CF Montreal at Red Bull Arena.
For every
ticket purchased
HERE, the club will donate $3 to Autism CAN.
Autism CAN is an initiative supporting Hackensack Meridian
Children's Health mission to provide access to the highest quality care,
navigate trusted resources and create specialized environments sensitive to the
unique needs of children on the autism spectrum and their families.
Among the amenities to make the match more
inviting, music and PA volume will be lower than usual. There will also be a
Quiet Zone on the Plaza level, as well as a sensory room. The team's general,
Marc de Grandpre, says the match is about making sure everyone gets the chance
to take in a sporting event.
"It's just
going to be a great environment for everyone to experience the match,” says de Grandpre. “We hope that it drives more families who are
reluctant to come out because they have a loved one on the spectrum to come and
enjoy the game and realize we can provide them with a safe environment, and
hopefully they will come to more games down the road. But ultimately, it's
about driving acceptance and inclusivity and making sure everyone has an
opportunity to enjoy a sporting event."
Sensory sacks will be available. They
include noise-canceling headphones, poppers and stress balls.
In 2017, Red Bull Arena became the first MLS venue to have a
permanent sensory room. The room is available for all families impacted by
autism for no additional charge during all home matches.
The de Grandpre Family Grant For Autism Programs was formed by the
club and awards $5,000 to an organization that works to impact
families of loved ones on the autism spectrum.