In 2017, the Community Sports Foundation acquire the land of the former Anglian Windows Sports and Social Club, on Holt Road, which has been closed since 2014. That summer, ‘The Nest’ is announced as the name of the hub, and work begins on the first phase of the project begins following planning permission from Broadland District Council.
Build The Nest is born
At the International Aviation Academy in Norwich in February 2018, Jake Humphrey helps to launch the Build The Nest campaign. Over£2.5m is needed from donations, community events and other initiatives with local businesses, to help support the money raised from funders such as the Football Foundation, Greater Norwich Growth Board, Norfolk County Council and the New Anglia LEP.
Representing the Canaries, are the likes of Bryan Gunn, Darren Eadie, Darren Huckerby, Efan Ekoku, Iwan Roberts and Youssef Safri, while among the players on show for the Italians are Jurgen Klinsmann, Javier Zanetti and Marco Materazzi.
Legendary City manager Mike Walker said: “It was a tremendous crowd, I couldn’t believe it. The atmosphere was great for a charity game.” The main thing was for the charitable good it did and I’ve seen it [The Nest], it’s going to be a fantastic place….I’m grateful to the people who turned up today to contribute towards it.”
The first phase opens
Foundation trustee and TV presenter Jake Humphrey, and Norwich City first team player Louis Thompson are among the guests that visit The Nest in September 2018, to mark the official opening of phase one.
The launch celebrates the completion on work on the seven grass football pitches, as well as the renovation of the existing clubhouse, and the installation of residential bunk boxes.
The final push – with help from the Canaries and our partners
In 2019, Norwich City Football Club and the Foundation launch a four-month campaign to raise the final £1 million for The Nest – with the Football Club match funding up to £500,000.
Among the hundreds who join the fundraising cause are the Credo Asset Finance CanaryBall Rally-ers, who drive an epic 2,200 mile trip to Milan (and back) raising over £70,000 for the campaign, and Norwich City FC Club legends Russell Martin and Wes Hoolahan who donate money from their testimonial match to the cause.
Phase Two completed
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the fundraising campaign reaches its target and construction is completed on the new 3G pitch and the new Hub building. A challenge woods activity area and outdoor classroom is also built, thanks to support from the Norfolk County Council Infrastructure Fund. Partners and sponsors of our community hub The Nest, under pressure themselves, continued to support so that the project could reach completion and the community could benefit from the facilities.
Phase Three sees further growth
2024 marked the official opening of the second 3G pitch – The Lauren Hemp Community Pitch – named in honour of local talent and England lioness, Lauren Hemp. This milestone is part of a transformative £2.8 million investment from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.
In 2025 a £100,000 grant from the Geoffrey Watling Charity enabled the launch of The Box – a state-of-the-art health and wellbeing facility designed as a flexible, inclusive space for the whole community.
That same year also sees the opening of The Store, a new retail space supporting the Foundation’s sustainability goals. These initiatives are further boosted by the installation of four electric vehicle charging stations, delivered in partnership with Zolb EV, helping to power a greener future at The Nest.
Looking ahead to Phase 4 & 5
Phases 4 and 5 will bring exciting new developments to The Nest, including three brand-new padel courts (Phase 4) and a cutting-edge Youth Hub (Phase 5). This future development marks The Nest’s continued investment in community-focused infrastructure.
As the head of the Foundation’s community work, this next chapter will transform local access to sport, support services, and inclusive social spaces.
These ambitious phases look to respond to the rising demand for modern, accessible facilities that empower young people and the wider community to thrive.
Find out more about Phase 4, the inclusion of three padel courts click here.
