Story added: 11th August 2022
For over 25 years, the Community Sports Foundation has provided opportunities for girls to try football and progress as players and people.
We have recently developed our new girls’ and women’s football strategy to further enhance our commitment to girls’ football in the county.
The strategy is comprised of three strands – Play our Game, Learn our Game, and Change our Game.
Be encouraged to play the game to your level.
This strand aims to introduce as many girls as possible to our game through taster sessions, after school clubs, tournaments and a new summer festival next year for U6-U8s.
We will link with local clubs and also work with some of Norfolk’s most disadvantaged areas to deliver more girls’ kicks sessions in the community.
Be inspired to grow your skills and knowledge.
The Foundation are delighted to be running an Emerging Talent Centre on behalf of the FA, alongside our own girls’ programmes. The ETC will provide more fixtures, and strength and conditioning sessions along with the opportunity to play other sports.
This new centre will provide a clear progression route and complement our existing Academy Development Programme and Development Centres.
Alongside our training and fixtures, we will be providing more personal development support, the opportunity to become a young coach and attend our Premier League Inspires girls’ residential camps.
Be leaders to inspire and build opportunities for you and others
This strand will support teachers to provide football in schools, and players to develop a career within the game.
It will also provide a route into the Norwich City Women’s First Team.
Our post-16 Football and Education programme supports girls to continue learning, whilst improving their coaching and footballing skills. As we strive to promote our female players as role models, we will provide opportunities for players to progress into coaching roles within the Foundation.
At the top of our pathway is the Norwich City Women’s first team, which has entered a new era after being officially incorporated into the Football Club and playing their home games at The Nest. Players within our pathway are entitled to come and watch Norwich City matches at The Nest for free for the 2022/23 season, with additional chances to be mascots for games.
The Women’s team have recently agreed a new sister club strategic partnership with Wroxham WFC and Dussindale & Hellesdon FC, in order to provide senior competitive and coaching opportunities for players within the pathway, at an appropriate level for their development.
Former members of our pathway include Lionesses star Lauren Hemp, Norwich City Women’s General Manager and former professional Flo Allen, and the Foundation’s Girl’s Football Development Officer Summer Ward.
Norwich City Women players Megan Todd, Millie Daviss, Freya Symonds, Bryony Williams and Kathryn Stanley are all currently employed by the charity.
Two players currently in the pathway, Amber Locker and Megan Frary have recently made England’s ‘long list’, which means that their progress will be monitored by the Football Association, and they may be considered for international call-ups should they continue to impress.
To ensure the success of the strategy we will be increasing our girls’ football staff members from two to four. The measure of our success will not only be the progression of players and our teams to higher levels but also the personal and social development of individuals and the overall growth and investment into the women’s game.
20th August 2024
On Monday 19th August, children on our goalkeeping residential at The Nest were treated to a special visit from four Norwich City first-team 'keepers.
13th August 2024
Last week, The Nest played host to the return of the Canary Cup, with representative development teams from our fellow CCO's across the country all taking to the pitch for a shot at silverware.
13th August 2024
Four Norwich City Community Sports Foundation Girls' Academy Development Programme players recently joined Norwich City Women's first team.
26th July 2024
Manchester City and England forward Lauren Hemp returned to her roots to officially open The Lauren Hemp Community Pitch in Norwich today, named in recognition of the part she’s played in the huge success of the Lionesses.
When you donate a little each month, you will be helping to transform the lives of local people of all ages who need our support – giving them the opportunity to connect with others like them, feel happier and healthier in themselves, and raise their aspirations.
We have Soccer Schools running at venues across Norfolk & Suffolk, and whether participants are new to football, or are already a budding Canary superstar, the Soccer Schools programme has been put together to provide a fun, holiday activity at an affordable price.
As Norwich City Football Club's official charity partner, we help thousands of people every year achieve their goals through sport, supporting some of the most disadvantaged, disabled and talented people across Norfolk. Our vision is to support, inspire, and improve our community.
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