King’s Ely and Norwich City FC RDP partnership scores three-year extension deal

Hundreds more children and young people from across the Ely area are to benefit from the continuation of an exciting partnership between King’s Ely and Norwich City Football Club’s Regional Development Programme (RDP).

It was in 2016 that King’s Ely and Norwich City’s RDP joined forces to launch the Cambridgeshire Community Hub Partnership; the first of its kind for the county.

The scheme sees King’s Ely hosting all sorts of football and sports-related activities and initiatives run by the RDP, not just during term time but also during the school holidays. What’s more, the partnership not only benefits King’s Ely students of all ages, but children and young people from across the region, as all are welcome to attend the hub.

King’s Ely and Norwich City are delighted to confirm that the partnership has been extended for a further three years, meaning hundreds more pupils – both boys and girls – will reap the benefits of its activities and programmes.

RDP Managing Director, Alex Kaufman, said: “It’s been a really successful three years with King’s Ely, who have provided the RDP with great opportunities to deliver our weekly courses and holiday experiences at a fantastic venue. The partnership has seen our football programmes flourish for the community in and around the surrounding Ely area. We are delighted by the impact our coaching staff have made through the provision of football specific coaching within the curriculum timetable, and we are really looking forward to growing our partnership with King’s Ely for a further three years.”

Director of Sport at King’s Ely, Jim Thompson, said: “We are delighted to be renewing our partnership with Norwich City FC RDP. Since we launched the partnership three years ago, the programme has really developed and both the school and the club are continuing to gain a huge amount. To be able to offer professional level football coaching has huge benefits to our boys and girls. Special thanks to Norwich City FC RDP, especially Alex Kaufman and Matt Clements, for their continued support.”

For more information about the Norwich City RDP, please visit: www.canaries.co.uk/rdp/