Story added: 24th September 2024

Fun in the sun on Foundation takeover day

On Saturday 21st September, and for the second time in 2024, the Community Sports Foundation celebrated a Takeover Game at Carrow Road, shining a spotlight on the fantastic charity work we do as an organisation.

Norwich City Football Club kindly allocate the charity one first-team home fixture per season for which to effectively ‘take over’, displaying to both sets of fans within the stadium the outstanding community work we engage in.

The morning of the 21st dawned bright and clear, with picturesque blue skies setting the tone for a day of exciting and engaging outdoor activities.

There was live music and ongoing entertainment outside of the stadium pre-match, with the disability dance troupe performing a routine outside of Carrow Park. As crowds of Norwich fans gathered around the South Stand in the build-up to kick-off, local band Sons of Mark also took centre stage, as well as the Norwich Pop Choir, both keeping spirits high in the September sunshine.

Inside the stadium, it was also all-action. Participants in our pan-disability football team took to the hallowed turf to face off in a series of small-sided games, followed by a penalty shootout. As the goals were flying in, first-team players from visiting team Watford watched on attentively.

With the stadium starting to fill, representatives from the Norwich City Fans Social Club were welcomed onto the pitch, to celebrate the sensational £14,000 they raised for the Foundation in the 2023/24 season. With last seasons total added to the previous sum, the Fans Social Club have now hit a landmark £75,000 fundraised for the charity.

Carrow Road was rocking by kick-off, and by half-time, with the Canaries leading 2-1, it was time for the pitch parade. There was particular focus this year on the fantastic commitment of our Run Norwich volunteers, with over 140 of them walking the length of the packed-out South Stand. They were joined by participants from various Foundation community and disability programmes, with Norwich and Watford fans rising to applaud all those involved in our amazing charity work.

Shortly before play resumed for the second half, there was also a moment for the game’s official Community Hero; Tim Hirst, who from his Run Norwich fundraising efforts managed to raise over £2500 for the Foundation. Tim, who watched Saturday’s 4-1 win from one of the executive boxes as part of a thank you, was greeted warmly by the Carrow Road faithful as he emerged from the tunnel.

Everyone at the Community Sports Foundation would like to thank everyone involved with this year’s Takeover Game and also Norwich City FC for allowing us the opportunity to display our work to a packed-out Carrow Road on a match day.