Philippe Clement Opens New Padel Courts
Philippe Clement has been inspired by the community work at Norwich City after helping to officially open the club's new padel courts at The Nest.
The Canaries head coach joined first-team duo Jacob Wright and Jack Stacey, plus ex-midfielder and current player liaison officer Simon Lappin, to cut the ribbon on three brand-new, community-focused courts at the Community Sports Foundation's Holt Road site in Horsford on Tuesday evening.
Clement Impressed by Community Outreach
Clement admits the scale and quality of the club's community outreach has surprised him since his appointment last November.
"It was not something I knew before I came. I knew it was a family club and I felt it from the first day, but the community work that's been done by the club and the people around the club, it's amazing," he said.
"It's really at a high, high level and they do a lot of things for a lot of people in Norwich and everything around. So, those are important things and, again, you feel the heartbeat of the club for society."
Jack Stacey's Role in Court Development
City right-back Jack Stacey has been a key influence in the court's construction alongside his award-winning contribution to the CSF and their programmes.
Jackie Thornton revealed how a trip to his owned Padel Maidenhead helped shape the plans for The Nest.
"He kept pushing us," she said. "So he's been a real driving force, but also that support to just know that we're doing things right and asking lots of really good questions about construction and what makes a good site."
For Jake Humphrey, the CSF's chairperson, the new courts encapsulate the wider mission of using the Canaries badge to improve physical and mental wellbeing across Norfolk.
"If we can use the football club and use the badge and use the Norwich City name to improve the county for people of all ages to be physically and mentally in a better place, then that for me is what football is about," he said.
Humphrey acknowledged the financial pressures facing charities but insisted ambition must not be diluted as work to raise money for the next stage of development at The Nest continues.
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