Story added: 11th August 2026

Football Development Programme: A Season to Remember

The Foundation’s Head of Football – and former Norwich City captain – Adam Drury has reflected on the 2025/26 season, sitting down to review the progress, highlights, and standout moments from our Girls and Boys Football Development Programme.

The 2025/26 season has been one to remember for the Girls and Boys Football Development Programme, with players from U5 to U16 embracing new challenges, travelling across the country and Europe, and taking meaningful steps along the Foundation’s pathway. 

Across the boys’ pathway, players continued to progress, with 12 signing for professional club academies and a further seven earning trial opportunities. 14 players also moved from our Development Centres into the Advanced Development Centre, reflecting the strength of the programme and the commitment shown by players and coaches. 

Meanwhile, across the girls’ pathway, 4 players trained with Norwich City Women’s first team, including one who signed, while 18 progressed from ADC groups into the Academy Development Programme. A further 39 DC players moved into ADC, strengthening the pathway from U6 to U16, while 4 girls attended FA East Top Talent sessions. 

The Boys ADC U16s impressed throughout the year, finishing second in the Thurlow Nunn U18 league against older opposition, while the U16 girls completed a new fixture schedule, entering the Boys JPL U14 league and the Girls U16 Cup to test themselves against high-quality opposition. 

Season Highlights

The season was packed with memorable moments. A group of 70 players aged 12 to 16 travelled to Lille, France in the October half‑term, taking on European opposition, visiting RC Lens’ stadium, and enjoying time at Prison Island. 

February half‑term brought six major fixture events for the girls’ programme, with four finals reached and twenty teams faced, while the boys played the likes of Chelsea, Watford and Luton Town. 

The Easter break added another highlight, with U9-U12 squads travelling to Manchester and facing Liverpool, Burnley, Aston Villa, Wigan Athletic, Manchester City, Leeds United and ET7 Academy. Off the pitch, players enjoyed Ninja Warrior UK, Yard Ball Sheffield, and stadium tours of Anfield and Old Trafford. 

The Girls Canary Cup reached its biggest scale yet, with more than 600 players competing at The Nest across two days. Clubs travelled from Arsenal, Brighton, Birmingham, Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Exeter, Peterborough, Cambridge United, Colchester United, and Lincoln City. The Foundation’s squads shone, with the U10 and U14 reaching the semi‑finals, the U12 finishing runners‑up, and the U16s winning the competition with a dramatic extra‑time winner against Brighton. 

The season also included a memorable residential in the May half-term, with 14 girls enjoying a day at Thorpe Park before watching Brighton face Manchester City in the Women’s FA Cup Final at Wembley. Meanwhile, Boys DC squads enjoyed a brilliant trip to Lilleshall, including a visit to Leicester City’s stadium. 

Every goalkeeper in the programme also enjoyed sessions at the Avant Training Centre with Norwich City, a standout experience that gave them a taste of the professional environment.

Parent Perspectives

Roman is one of many players who progressed into Norwich City Academy from our Boys Development Programme this season. He began at our Lowestoft DC before moving into the ADC for four years, eventually signing a registration with the Club’s Academy. 

His parent reflected on the journey: “Roman thoroughly enjoyed his four years within the ADC programme. He was constantly encouraged to be brave, express himself, and develop confidence in his ability. 

“The coaches played a huge role in his journey. What started as a football programme became something much more meaningful, creating memories and connections that will last a lifetime.” 

Meanwhile, a parent from our Girls Development Programme highlighted the strength of the environment this season: “The ADP has felt well-structured and professional, with excellent planning and a strong standard of football throughout.  

“Everyone involved has been welcoming, supportive, and approachable. The coaches have created a positive environment where the players feel encouraged and challenged.” 

The 2025/26 season has been another fantastic chapter for our Football Development Programme, helping young players grow in confidence, character, resilience and ability.

We would like to thank all coaches, players, parents and staff that have played a part in a successful season, and we look forward to creating more memories in the new campaign.