Norwich City’s Under-23 side will head to Tampa Bay, Florida as part of preparations for the upcoming 2020-21 campaign.
As part of the club’s award-winning partnership with Visit Tampa Bay, the week-long training camp will culminate in the Visit Tampa Bay Cup fixture against affiliate club Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium.
Norwich City Academy Manager Steve Weaver said: “Following the success of the first team’s warm weather winter training camp in Tampa Bay in 2018, this was a natural next step for our academy side.
“It’s a great opportunity for us as a football club and academy. We know that the facilities and weather will be first class and that the people of Tampa Bay will give us exactly what we need to begin our preparations for the 2020-21 campaign, so when the commercial guys presented us with the opportunity, it was a no-brainer.”
Sam Jeffery, Head of Commercial Operations at Norwich City, said: “As a club, we couldn’t be more thrilled to be returning to Tampa Bay in the summer for our academy tour.
“The partnership has grown from strength-to-strength over the last few years, and we feel really lucky that Santiago Corrada and Patrick Harrison, of Visit Tampa Bay, match our pioneering spirit in aiming to create a legacy that lasts a long time.
“We couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved with these guys so far, and when the teams walk out at the Visit Tampa Bay Cup it’ll be a moment in time that’s been years in the making. Long may this relationship continue to thrive.
Santiago C. Corrada, President and Chief Executive Officer of Visit Tampa Bay, said: “Following the tremendous success of Norwich City’s 2018 visit, we are thrilled to have the Under-23 team discover Tampa Bay this summer.
“As Florida’s most dynamic destination, we’re certain the fans and future stars of Norwich City will find Tampa Bay’s welcome is as warm as our weather.”
The pre-season fixture against Tampa Bay Rowdies will take place on Wednesday, July 1 and could see City youngster Louis Lomas, currently on loan at the Florida club, feature against Norwich.
Lee Cohen, President and Chief Operating Officer at Tampa Bay Rowdies, said: “Since 2018 this relationship has turned into a true partnership between two great clubs.
“For both parties this is more than something on the field; the partnership between our two clubs is really something unique and something that is continuing to become stronger with each endeavour we work on.
“To be hosting Norwich City's Under-23s in July for a pre-season camp that will be capped off with the first Visit Tampa Bay Cup match – it’s an exciting time!”
Further details as to how supporters can book travel package experiences for the academy’s pre-season Tampa Bay tour, as well as admission details for the fixture against Tampa Bay Rowdies, will be announced in due course.
Pictured from left-to-right: Michael Sidell (Senior Partnerships Manager, Norwich City), Neill Collins (Head Coach, Tampa Bay Rowdies), Sam Jeffery (Head of Commercial Operations, Norwich City), Lee Cohen (President and Chief Operating Officer, Tampa Bay Rowdies), Ben Kensell (Chief Operating Officer, Norwich City)