The Nest chosen to operate new Brundall Sports Hub

Brundall Parish Council is delighted to reveal that following a successful tender process, The Nest – a trading subsidiary of the Norwich City Community Sports Foundation – has been selected by Brundall Parish Council to manage and run Brundall Sports Hub based on their commitment to affordability for residents and community engagement experience.

Named the Brundall Sports Hub, the first phase of development will open on Wednesday and comprises a multi-sport 3G pitch with floodlights and on-site parking.

Future development plans for the site, located near the A47 Brundall roundabout, will see the construction of a community building complete with changing rooms and a multi-use indoor studio/community space.

Brundall Sports Hub will play host to various sports clubs, teams and coaching sessions within the local community and surrounding villages.

A proportion of any surplus income generated by The Nest from paid bookings will be reinvested into free or part-funded projects run by the Community Sports Foundation to benefit local residents.

Such initiatives already run by the charity include free school holiday and after-school sports, running and walking football groups focused on mental wellbeing, and classes aimed specifically at over-55s and those with disabilities.

Local schools in Brundall, Blofield and Hemblington will be able to access the facilities at specific times during the day to improve recreation and wellbeing opportunities for children; The Nest will work with them to maximise the value of this new local facility.

Jackie Thornton, Head of Development at the Community Sports Foundation, said:

“We’re delighted to have been chosen to run the Brundall Sports Hub by the Parish Council. The plans for the site are impressive, and we can’t wait to bring the facilities to life.

“It’ll be a wonderful addition to the local area, offering affordable and inclusive sport and recreational opportunities for a number of local sports clubs, schools and local residents.

“As a charity, we currently operate two sports hubs – Carrow Park, located next to Carrow Road stadium and The Nest, our 22-acre sports hub located in Horsford.

“The Nest welcomes over 15,000 individuals per year, and while the Brundall Sports Hub is smaller in scale, we hope to bring the same welcoming and inclusive energy that we are known for to the site, as well as providing excellent customer service and support for bookers.

“The Parish Council has already had an overwhelming response from groups keen to use the venue; our team will be making contact with all interested groups very soon.”

Kevin Wilkins, Chairman of Brundall Parish Council said:

“We are delighted to partner with an organisation of the calibre of the Community Sports Foundation to run Brundall Sports Hub.

“This project has been a number of years in the making and the Parish Council cannot wait to see local residents of all ages and abilities using the facility for years to come.

“Our focus now moves to completing the community building to further improve the facilities and to enable the Community Sports Foundation to grow the number of users and benefit residents of Brundall and the wider community.”