Rochdale AFC installs sanitary bins to support men after prostate cancer treatment

Rochdale AFC has installed 26 sanitary bins in men's toilets at the Crown Oil Arena to support men experiencing incontinence, including those who have undergone prostate cancer treatment.

The initiative was launched at the Crown Oil Arena ahead of Rochdale's home game against Crawley Town, with Dale's Tobi Adebayo-Rowling and director Richard Knight joining Jez Williams from phs Group.

The bins are designed to accommodate male incontinence products and have been installed across the stadium's male toilets.

Rochdale AFC has received bronze accreditation under the BOG STANDARD Charter, which has been developed by Prostate Cancer UK and phs Group to encourage organisations to provide facilities for men with incontinence.

Richard Knight said: “Inclusion is important to us at the Club, and we didn’t ever want to think of any of our fans being unable to join, just because we didn’t have sanitary bins in place for them.

“As someone who has experienced prostate cancer myself, I know how important it is to get back into the swing of things after your treatment.

“Seeing your friends; meeting up with family; going to games – it all helps recovery. That’s why supporting the Back in the Game campaign, and our loyal fans, is important to us – whatever we can do to make things easier.”

Prostate Cancer UK and phs Group say one in eight men will get prostate cancer, rising to one in four Black men. They say 60 per cent of men with prostate cancer will experience incontinence as a side effect of treatment.

Under the BOG STANDARD scheme, bronze accreditation requires sanitary bins to be installed. Silver also requires male incontinence products to be provided, while gold includes both measures and a commitment to promoting awareness of prostate cancer and incontinence.

The organisations say 177 sports clubs across the UK have signed up to the standard, resulting in 873 sanitary bins being installed as part of Back in the Game.

Matthew Brabin, chief executive of phs Group, said: “Sport is an incredibly important part of so many men’s lives. At a time when men need to be getting back into the normal rhythm and social structure of their lives, perhaps after receiving prostate cancer treatment, too many men are too anxious to leave the house, because the right facilities aren’t there for them.

“This is what Back in the Game is trying to change, and we’re so pleased to see Rochdale AFC join the fight by signing up to The BOG STANDARD Charter.”

Nick Ridgman, head of support services at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Imagine not being able to support your team from the stands because you can't access basic facilities. One in three men over 65 live with urinary incontinence, and many of them need sanitary bins so they can dispose of their used pads discreetly and hygienically, but often these bins are nowhere to be found in men's loos.”

He added: “We're proud to team up with phs Group on the BOG Standard campaign to improve men's lives - and we're delighted that Rochdale AFC has joined us, making the ground more welcoming and accessible for every supporter.”

Prostate Cancer UK said men who need support or information can contact its specialist nurses on 0800 074 8383 or through its website.