Another busy half term has just been completed at CSF

Over 1000 participants engaged with the Foundation this half term which was packed with a range of fantastic sporting activities.

Boys Programme

Our Boys’ U9-U12 Elite Player Development Centre (EPDC) kicked off their half term with a trip to Boston for the annual Pilgrim Cup, hosted by Boston United FC Centre Of Excellence.

Meanwhile, the older Elite PDC age groups (U13-U16) headed on tour to Liverpool for a fun-filled weekend of activities and fixtures.

The squads took on teams from Shrewsbury Town FC, Stoke City and Chester City FC at Lilleshall National Sports Centre in Liverpool and enjoyed a visit to Anfield Stadium.

The action-packed week continued with a series of half-term fixture days for the Boys’ Elite PDC and Player Development Centre (PDC) squads. The development days gave participants the opportunity to focus on and advance their football skills, work with different coaches and take part in a series of internal fixtures.

The U9-U14 Boys’ Player Development Centre (PDC) welcomed teams from Southend United FC for a set of fixtures before they travelled to Ashford, Kent for a residential at an activity camp.

There, the boys competed in a Mini Olympics and enjoyed high adrenaline activities including the 3G Swing and the Leap of Faith.

Girls Programme

The Girls’ Elite PDC, PDC and Academy Development Programme attended a Development Day at the Football Development Centre in Bowthorpe, which gave the teenagers the chance to showcase their dancing skills as well as take part in various non-competitive games.

The girls then headed to Essex for a weekend residential where they participated in various team-building activities including zip wiring, football rounders and a quiz night.

Kicks

Members of the Community Sports Foundation’s (CSF) Kicks squad took a trip to the North West to compete in a series of fixtures against the Liverpool FC Foundation.

The team viewed the Steven Gerrard Collection at the Anfield Museum and were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of Manchester United’s ground, Old Trafford, where they got to visit the players tunnel, go pitch side and see the first team changing rooms.

Soccer Schools

This half term participants on our Whitsun Soccer Schools enjoyed activities inspired by the two imminent international competitions, Copa America and Euro 2016.

The sessions saw a total of 250 participants at eight different locations across Norfolk.

Goalkeeper Player Development Centre

A number of our Goalkeeper PDC participants enjoyed practising their diving and catching skills as part of a Development Day at Easton and Otley College.

Three Peaks Challenge

Twenty hardy fundraisers, accompanied by CSF staff, made the long trip to Scotland with the goal of scaling three of Britain’s biggest peaks in quick succession. The group used volunteer hours allocated to them by employer Aviva for the Challenge, with the aim of raising money for the Foundation.

The team climbed the largest mountain in the UK first – Ben Nevis – before travelling to Scafell Pike, in England’s Lake District, and lastly to Mount Snowdon in Wales.

The Aviva fundraisers completed the challenge in Snowdon, raising a total of £10,000 for the Foundation.

Disability

Nine members of our Down’s Syndrome team travelled to Birmingham to represent Norwich City FC in a national tournament, hosted by the Down’s Syndrome Society.

Over 20 teams travelled from across the UK to compete in the National Cup which is the flagship event for Down’s Syndrome football.

All round, a good time was had by all – next up Summer holidays!