Story added: 13th September 2018
CSF Trustee and TV Presenter Jake Humphrey, and Norwich City first team player Louis Thompson were among the guests that visited The Nest on Thursday morning, to mark the official opening of phase one.
The rejuvenated site has seen extensive work completed on seven grass football pitches, as well as the renovation of the existing clubhouse, and the installation of residential bunk boxes.
Recent weeks have seen the first participants use The Nest; over 2,000 people have already enjoyed the pitches and clubhouse, including young footballers on a special Grant Holt Soccer School.
CSF were awarded a £495,000 grant from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund towards phase one of the project. The Foundation worked alongside the Football Foundation and the Norfolk County FA to compile a five-year Football Development Plan, which is a vision of how sport will be played on site with an emphasis on increasing participation.
After a tour of The Nest’s facilities, the 150 people in attendance at the launch were given a presentation by Jake, and Jackie Thornton of the Community Sports Foundation, which told of the Foundation’s plans for a second phase of development costing £9.4million and the need for financial support from potential funders and fundraisers.
The new Build The Nest campaign video, kindly provided by Built Environment Communications Group (BECG), received its first screening, and just before the ribbon was cut, the room heard from David Elvin, a parent of CSF participant Ollie, who has completed 100 miles on his exercise bike to raise money for the Build The Nest campaign, all while battling Leukaemia.
Jackie Thornton said:
“We’ve taken a disused sports facility and breathed new life into it, creating a hub that will be of great value to the community.
“We’re hugely grateful for the support of the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund, which has played a significant part in bringing this phase of the project to life.
“Now, the emphasis is really on our work to secure the funds for the second phase of The Nest, which will help the Foundation reach an extra 12,000 people a year, when completed.”
To find out more about the plans for phase two, and how you could help the campaign, please click here.
"Now, the emphasis is really on our work to secure the funds for the second phase of The Nest, which will help the Foundation reach an extra 12,000 people a year, when completed."
Jackie Thornton
Head of Development, CSF
11th March 2025
For International Women's Day 2025 we hosted a special event at The Nest for girls from local schools.
4th February 2025
On Friday 31st January, 21 primary schools from across Norfolk arrived at The Nest for a day of competitive tournament football.
3rd February 2025
Jack Wilshere and Tony Roberts join Foundation participants to officially open The Store and The Box at The Nest.
15th November 2024
Schools and children within the Norfolk region will have the opportunity to represent Norwich City and potentially play on the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium thanks to the Utilita Kids and Girls Cup.
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.
Ready for an adventure? Join us this July for the Three Peaks Challenge and help support the incredible work of the Community Sports Foundation. This is your chance to conquer the UK’s most iconic mountains, Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon – all in one unforgettable weekend.
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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