NORWICH City's Football in the Community team have been awarded Bronze status by The Football League Trust for their work in the community.

FITC will now receive £24,000, which will be invested into community activities.

The organisation's staff were recently assessed by the Trust Regional Management team, who found that the Club's community work met the required standard for a Bronze award.

In addition to fulfilling the Trust's Minimum Charter standard, FITC's staff demonstrated the following:

· A coach to child ratio of 1:16 for all activity
· All activity led by an FA Level 2 qualified coach or above
· The publishing of a business plan with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
· Delivering at least one of the Trust's 4 main themes of health, Education, Social Inclusion/ Community Cohesion and Sports Participation
· Establishing working partnerships with external agencies eg local authorities

Bronze awards have also been made to 20 other Championship clubs, 19 in League 1 and 17 in League 2.

Football League Trust General Manager Dave Edmundson said: "We have been extremely impressed with the standard of community work across the country.

"We are sure the investment will benefit the many thousands who participate in community activities with Football League clubs."

Ian Thornton, Director of Football in the Community said: "The Football League have been very pro-active and supportive since their inception of the Football League Trust. Whilst, we are very pleased to achieve the Bronze Award we are well on the way for our Silver Status Accreditation assessment, which will take place in May 2009.

"The funding support will make a massive difference to the initiatives we deliver, which in turn will help us continue to deliver programmes to thousands of individuals and groups in the community of Norfolk and North Suffolk."

To learn more about the courses and activities run by Football in the Community call 01603 761122 or visit their website.