Norfolk-born Lauren Hemp returns to The Nest to unveil pitch named in her honour
Manchester City and England forward Lauren Hemp returned to her roots to officially open The Lauren Hemp Pitch in Norwich today, named in recognition of the part she has played in the huge success of the Lionesses.
Just two weeks after playing for the Lionesses at Carrow Road, Lauren opened a 3G pitch at The Nest – home of Norwich City Women FC and Norwich City Community Sports Foundation. The fantastic 3G and grass pitches at the site were delivered thanks to over £2.8 million from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.
The Lauren Hemp Pitch is one of 30 Football Foundation-funded pitches that will be named after each of the Lionesses to honour their victory at the UEFA Women’s EURO and their inspirational performance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The new pitch will offer girls of all ages and abilities the opportunity to play, including through hosting an FA Emerging Talent Centre (funded by the Premier League). Many will hope that the pitch provides a pathway for them to progress to the Norwich City Women’s team.
Lauren Hemp said: “This area has a very special place in my heart. I first started playing locally with a boys’ team at North Walsham Town FC for a couple of years when I was about nine before I moved to Norwich City Girls’ Centre of Excellence. I’m so pleased to see that the next generation of girls in the area will have the best chance possible to follow their own football journeys thanks to the amazing facilities here at The Nest.
“It’s been brilliant to meet all the players today and hear how much the Lionesses’ success has meant to them all. I feel so proud of the whole team for inspiring women and girls to play football.”
The Lioness legacy pitches form a key part of the Football Foundation’s HERe To Play campaign, which celebrates the charity’s commitment to delivering grassroots facilities that provide equal access to women and girls.
Robert Sullivan, CEO of the Football Foundation, said: “Lauren and the Lionesses are inspiring women and girls across the country to get involved. Many of the squad from the UEFA Women’s EUROs and FIFA Women’s World Cup kick-started their journey to the international stage on facilities that have been improved thanks to funding from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.
“Like we have done here at The Nest, the Football Foundation is directing more money than ever before into supporting the grassroots game and every one of the facilities we fund will provide equal access for women and girls. Alongside this commitment, The Lionesses Futures Fund, a £30 million cash injection to the Foundation that will support the development of approximately 30 new state-of-the-art 3G pitches and accompanying facilities - all designed to prioritise women’s and girls’ football teams.”
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for DCMS, Stephanie Peacock, said: "The success of our Lionesses has inspired a generation of women and girls to believe they can follow in Lauren's footsteps.
"Today is another step in the right direction for increasing access to sport. This new pitch in Norwich will allow all generations to play football and get active, helping to create a happier and healthier nation."
Ian Thornton OBE, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Sports Foundation said: “It has been excellent to welcome back Lauren, recognise her success as a Lioness and to officially open the Community pitch at The Nest, named after her.
“The coaching team at the Community Sports Foundation have worked tremendously hard over the past 25 years delivering girls and women’s football opportunities and experiences to thousands of young female footballers. Lauren is a great role model to all young footballers in Norfolk and our hope is many more can grow and develop like Lauren did, now aided by the incredible footballing facilities here at The Nest.”
“Today was also an opportunity to say thank you to the Football Foundation, Premier League and many of our partners and sponsors that have not only contributed to the Lauren Hemp Community Pitch, but have supported the build and development of The Nest as a whole.”
The Lauren Hemp Pitch is one of two 3G pitches at the impressive 22-acre site, which also features several grass pitches, a café and event spaces. These facilities are used for several community programmes, such as Onside (an inclusion project for disadvantaged young people) and Realising Potential (a programme engaging children and adults with a range of disabilities in physical activity, life skills programmes and career development sessions).
As well as football, The Lauren Hemp Pitch will be used to support a range of other sports currently including the Run 4 Me initiative, which is focused on improving mental health through running.
For more information on the Football Foundation’s commitment to Women and Girls please visit: https://footballfoundation.org.uk/here-to-play
To find out more about grants available: What we fund | Football Foundation