England keeper Robert Green to officially open Norfolk FA’s Football Development Centre
England and West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green will be visiting Norfolk FA’s Football Development Centre – the FDC – between 11am-12.30pm on Tuesday 1 June 2010, to officially open the centre, situated in Bowthorpe, Norwich.
Green, who on the same day is expected to be named in Fabio Capello’s 23-man squad for this summer’s World Cup tournament in South Africa, will be returning to familiar surroundings, having previously spent a number of years as Norwich City FC’s Number 1 between the sticks.
The official opening of the FDC marks the culmination of a major refurbishment of the centre, after Norfolk FA acquired the facility in the summer of last year. The FDC now boasts 9 floodlit 3G pitches – including a larger ‘Wembley’ show arena – servicing the county’s
football community as Norfolk FA continue to develop the game in our area.
The achievement of this vision has been significantly helped by a number of funding bodies, including a grant of £156,907 from the Football Foundation – meaning the Foundation has now supported over £10 million worth of projects in Norfolk since its inception in 2000 –
and a grant of £29, 311.53 from the Norfolk Youth Fund.
Shaun Turner, Chief Executive of Norfolk County FA, said:
“The FDC has been developed for the betterment of grassroots football in the County. The Centre will inspire a lasting legacy for Norfolk’s magnificent grassroots volunteers, ensuring our wonderful game can be accessed by all, whilst utilising a state of the art facility. These
really are exciting times for grassroots football in Norfolk.”
Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said:
“This is a very exciting new development for the people of Norfolk. The new Football Development Centre is going enable many more local people to enjoy our national game in first-class facilities.
“This site perfectly illustrates the enormous benefits to sport, health and safer communities that the money given to the Foundation by the Premier League, The FA and Government is making in towns and cities right across the country.
“Having grown up in Norwich myself, I am really pleased to see Robert Green devoting time to support this project, despite his anticipated departure for the World Cup finals in South Africa happening imminently.”
Earlier this year it was announced that City College Norwich would become the official partner of the FDC, initially for a period or three years. This partnership is based on the solid working relationship established over the previous three football seasons, when City College
Norwich was Norfolk FA’s official County Cup partner.
The new partnership will see a number of City College Norwich programmes being delivered at the FDC throughout the academic year.
Dick Palmer, Principal of City College, said: “City College Norwich is delighted to be supporting the Football Development Centre.
“There are many exciting career opportunities available for individuals with a passion for football, from performance analysis to activity leadership to facility management, fitness training and media work.
“We want to harness young people's enthusiasm for the sport and to use this as a basis for developing a wide range of skills which will provide excellent prospects for future employment.”