Young entrepreneurs from local high schools pitch their football-themed business ideas

Four schools came to Carrow Road on Friday, all with the aim of securing the Club’s Premier League Enterprise Challenge berth.

To win the spot, each group of budding entrepreneurs had to win over the panel of judges – Asa Saunders (CSF Schools Sport Manager), Toby Nickerson (CSF Community Development Manager), and Gavin Beard (Norwich City FC Head of Marketing) – with their business-inspired ideas on this year’s chosen topic.

The topic, which was set by CBBC presenter Ben Shires, asked the students to develop a business plan and promotional campaign to increase the number of young adults (aged 18-23) following their club and attending matches.

Students have been working on their ideas over the previous six weeks with CSF’s Premier League Enterprise Development Officer Mark Woodcock, but they each only had a three-minute window to impress the judges.

Ideas ranged from insurance discounts for season ticket holders to an offering aimed at University social clubs.

But it was Wymondham High Academy, whose fresh take on a Virtual Reality (VR) experience, that won the judges’ vote.

They’ll now represent the Canaries in the Premier League Enterprise Challenge regional round, which will take place at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux Stadium in January. Should they progress from there, then they’ll enjoy the finals in London.

Mark Woodcock, CSF’s Premier League Enterprise Development Officer said:

“It was great to welcome Long Stratton High, Hellesdon High, Wymondham High Academy and The Wherry School to Carrow Road today. The fantastic ideas developed by all our groups over the past term were delivered into four really impressive and professional pitches. I know the judges had a tough time deliberating on who should go through!

“Next up is Birmingham, and we look forward to taking Wymondham High Academy there!”

Students were given a behind-the-scenes tour of the football stadium as part of their visit.

Now in its tenth year, the Premier League Enterprise Challenge forms part of the Premier League Enterprise programme, a joint-funded project run by the Premier League and Sport Relief, which uses the backdrop of professional football clubs’ business models to deliver enterprise education.

The Community Sports Foundation delivers the programme to high schools across Norfolk.