City's youngest age group to welcome teams out at Carrow Road
NORWICH CITY Academyâs youngest prospects will form a guard of honour for the two teams at tonightâs Under-21s game against Tottenham Hotspur.The Under-9s group will enjoy their first experience of Carrow Road when they welcome the players onto the pitch just prior to kick-off in front a sizeable support at the Barclays Under-21 Premier League match.
âTonight is about promoting our Academy in every way we can. Itâs a great opportunity for our Under-9s, who are a new intake, to get the opportunity to go out onto the pitch and to show their support for the Under-21s,â said Matthew Wright, the Academyâs Foundation Phase Lead Coach.
âTheyâre buzzing about it and really excited to be a part of the evening. Itâs good for them to experience that atmosphere as it gives them a little bit of a pat on the back for being an Academy player.
âWe did it with our new intake two seasons ago at the FA Youth Cup Final against Chelsea, which was great and the boys loved it. When our Under-9s were told about it they were really excited, and with it being on tele it gives them an extra bit too, itâs something they can keep.â
The age-group gets together three times a week at the Academyâs base at Colney Training Centre, with the coaching emphasis firmly on enjoyment.
âThe Foundation phase is all about learning to master the ball and to love the game. Thatâs the strapline we use,â added Wright.
âWe have different programmes which entail the ball mastery, or the âNorwich Wayâ, which is a massive part of Academy football.
"Our approach is about a progressive and player-centred coaching programme where all individuals will be given the opportunity to maximise their potential â itâs about them having a fun environment to play in, and being at a Category One club, thatâs what they get.
âRecently weâve played Tottenham and Arsenal, and we were competitive. In the foundation phase itâs not all about results; itâs about how they develop.â
The guard of honour will take place approximately five minutes before kick-off, which is at 7.45pm.
Tickets are FREE for tonightâs game and can still be booked online HERE or by calling 0844 826 1902.
Norwich City Under-9s: Jake Benham, Alfie Calaz, Zak Cork, Harvey Douglass, Bobby Eaton-Collins, Adam Edser, Tiger Flute, Oliver Grain, Tyler Hall, Gabriel Muffett, Jak Reynolds, Bailey Roger, Oscar Tuttle, Oscar Warburton, Finley Whiteley.