Second 3G Pitch for Open Academy
NORFOLK FA OPENS ADDITIONAL 3G FOOTBALL TURF PITCH AT NORWICH SCHOOL
Last week saw the official opening of a second 3G football turf pitch at The FDC Open - Norfolk FA’s Football Development facility based at Open Academy in Norwich.
(L-R) Cllr Adam Giles – Norwich City Council; Duncan Jenkinson – Football Foundation, Ian Grange – Norfolk FA, Head of Facilities and Deputy CEO; Michael Banham – Norfolk FA, Chairman; Wendy Allsopp – Diocese of Norwich Education Services Company. Photo Credit: Reverb Digital
Works at the facility finished last month in a project that was made possible thanks to a £150,000 grant from the Greater Norwich Growth Board, and funding of £509,823 from The Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.
The building of the first 3G (3rd Generation) football turf pitch (FTP) at Open Academy in Heartsease started in November 2015 and, after a delay, was officially opened at the start of the 2016/17 football season.
The additional pitch is a 7v7 sized 3G FTP which joins the main pitch in being fully equipped with brand new, industry-leading goalposts, courtesy of Norfolk County FA lead partner, Harrod Sport. Its completion is combined with refurbishments of the Football Hub entrance area of the facility in which the changing rooms and reception area are located.
The expansion, which will cater for increased demand in the local area, develops The FDC Open into a state-of-the-art, dual pitch football facility that will continue to be used by Open Academy students during the day and the local community during the evenings and weekends.
It’s estimated that over 1,000 people will use the facility each week in a bid to provide better access to high quality football pitches in Norwich.
Partner clubs Sprowston FC and Thorpe St Andrew FC were present for training and fixtures at the ceremony on Thursday 26th October which saw representatives from the Greater Norwich Growth Board, the Football Foundation, Diocese of Norwich Education Services Company, Norwich City Council and other organisations join Norfolk FA to mark the official opening of the new pitch.
Norfolk FA Head of Facilities & Deputy CEO, Ian Grange said: “We were delighted to formally open the additional 3G pitch at The FDC Open last week, and we look forward to seeing increased levels of football played at the site throughout the rest of the season and beyond.
“On behalf of the Association I would like to place on record our thanks to the Football Foundation, the Greater Norwich Growth Board, Norwich City Council and Open Academy for their support in enabling this project to become a reality.
“In addition, I would like to thank Norfolk FA Partners Harrod Sport for their continued support in ensuring that both pitches are furnished with industry leading equipment, along with Wensum Print for their assistance in developing the branding and signage within the Football Hub.”
Robert Sullivan, CEO the Football Foundation said: “Thanks to our funding partners the Premier League, The FA and Government the Football Foundation is working to deliver brilliant facilities across the country just like the one at Open Academy in Norwich so that everyone can have access to great places to play.”
