Brundall Sports Hub opening ceremony

Brundall’s Neighbourhood Plan, adopted in 2016, identified that the village had limited recreational facilities and the plan supports the provision of new and expanded facilities including formal outdoor sports pitch.

Through collaborative efforts with Broadland District Council, a piece of land was secured as part of the Church Mead development for formal recreational purposes. The project was made possible through a S106 development agreement, stipulating the inclusion of a 3G pitch.

Recognising the need for more than just a pitch, Brundall Parish Council included a pavilion with changing rooms, kitchen, and a community space within the Sports Hub project. Despite setbacks due to the impact of Covid-19 and rising material costs, grants from the Greater Norwich Growth Board (GNGB) and the Football Foundation enabled the completion of the pavilion and the overall project.

The opening event will be a celebration with representatives from the Greater Norwich Growth Board, the Football Foundation, Community Sports Foundation, Brundall Bolts FC, and members of the Brundall Parish Council coming together to officially inaugurate the hub.

Kevin Wilkins, Chairman of Brundall Parish Council, said:

Our long held ambition has been to significantly enhance recreational provision in the village and the Parish Council is delighted that Brundall Sports Hub, with a state of the art 3G pitch, is now open for use.

Councillor Sue Holland, Leader of Broadland District Council and Chair of GNGB said:

This is a great example of what can be achieved for our communities when we all work together. This fantastic project has been funded by a forward thinking agreement with the developer, ensuring that local communities benefit from housing growth, a grant from the Greater Norwich Growth Board, a collaboration of local authorities, and with the help of the Football Foundation. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone involved in delivering the Brundall Sports Hub.

The completion of the project has only been made possible by the hard work and dedication of staff and members of the Council, our key partners and contractors. I would particularly like to take this opportunity to thank the Greater Norwich Growth Board (GNGB) and the Football Foundation for their generosity in their funding support which has enabled the project to be successfully delivered. The Parish Council is also pleased to have selected the Community Sports Foundation as the Hub’s operator and looks forward to seeing these wonderful new facilities used to their maximum by a wide range of users including our local club, Brundall Bolts

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

We were delighted in 2023 to have been chosen to run the Brundall Sports Hub by the Parish Council. It has been exciting to see the facilities come to life under our management over the last year. The sports hub has become a fantastic asset to the local community, hosting over 40 teams weekly. It provides affordable and inclusive sports and recreational opportunities for everyone in the area. The hub also features a meeting room that can be booked for local events, gathering or workshops. Over the coming year and beyond, we aim to increase access for schools, disability programmes, and female participants, making sure this facility becomes a central part of the Brundall community.”