Story added: 24th November 2017
As announced today, the Norwich City Legends v Inter Forever match will raise funds for The Nest – the Community Sports Foundation’s (CSF) exciting project to build a groundbreaking community sports facility to benefit people from all walks of life in Norwich and Norfolk.
In July, CSF unveiled outline plans for the new facility on the site of a disused sports ground in Horsford.
The former Anglian Windows Sports and Social Club, on Holt Road, has been closed since 2014, but after recently acquiring the land, CSF have gained outline planning permission from Broadland District Council to build a multi-purpose sports and residential facility that would increase opportunities for local people.
Work at the site is already underway on an initial phase that will see the renovation of the site’s existing clubhouse and relaying of seven grass football pitches, by the end of summer 2018.
The estimated £1.1m phase of the project will benefit a range of groups and individuals locally, including participants on the Foundation’s programmes for disabled and disadvantaged people, grass roots football teams such as Hellesdon FC and Horsford FC, and young people on the National Citizen Service programme.
Second phase and the need for funding
There are also plans in development for the second phase of the project, which will potentially include indoor sports and classroom facilities.
The exact specifications of this phase are dependent on CSF’s success in securing high-level funding from a number of different sources, as CSF Head of Development Jackie Thornton explains:
“There are exciting conversations taking place with several potential funders about their support for the project.
“We have narrowed it down to two options for the second phase of The Nest, and our decision between them will be based on the level of funding that we secure.
“The decision will subsequently determine the overall project cost and leave us with a fundraising target; this target will fill the gap between the funding we are initially awarded and the total cost.
“We expect to launch a fundraising campaign in the new year once we have pledges of support from our potential funders.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to use the Norwich City Legends v Inter Forever match as a fundraiser to boost the second phase of The Nest and the proceeds will be added to our fundraising total following the event, in May, when the campaign will be underway.
“This is just one of the ways that Norwich City Football Club is providing support for The Nest as we absolutely cannot and will not divert funds away from the Club itself.”
Above: Earlier this year, Francesco Toldo & Bryan Gunn were given a tour of the disused site, by CSF’s Jackie Thornton.
Naming The Nest
The Foundation has given a nod to the Canaries’ history by electing to name the facility ‘The Nest’, after their home until 1935.
“As soon as we put the name forward, everyone that heard it really liked the idea” said Mrs Thornton.
“As well as the historical significance to Norwich City FC, the name lends itself nicely to what we’re trying to create – a safe, nurturing environment where people can come and develop with us.”
Contact
Enquiries about the project should be made to [email protected], FAO Jackie Thornton.
An overview of the The Nest project and its intended outcomes, can be found at www.thenest.org.uk
"This is just one of the ways that Norwich City Football Club is providing support for The Nest as we absolutely cannot and will not divert funds away from the Club itself."
Jackie Thornton
Head of Development, CSF
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