Norwich City sporting director Stuart Webber and commercial director Sam Jeffery were recently in Brazil to visit new partner club Coritiba.
The pair met officials of the Parana-based club at their training centre over the course of the weekend, whilst also attending an under-20 game between Coritiba and Sao Joseense and a top-flight senior fixture between Coritiba and Juventude.
This visit was part of the action plan developed between the two teams, putting into practice actions of the recently announced strategic club partnership.
Webber told canaries.co.uk: “It was a great trip to kick off our partnership with Coritiba. We believe there will be major benefits for both clubs in terms of knowledge sharing and opening up new opportunities in a part of the world that was previously untouched by ourselves.”
Head of sports at Coritiba, René Simões, added: “The Norwich officials had the opportunity to see our players and staff in action. This will allow the exchange of professional and grassroots athletes, with the aim of scientific and sports development. We’re confident that both institutions will gain a lot.”
The visit also made use of the opportunity to discuss strategies that go beyond the sporting sphere, such as commercial, marketing and brand expansion so that the two clubs can grow together, both on and off the field.
Jeffery said: “There is huge potential in this partnership, not just from a football perspective, but from a commercial and marketing standpoint. We have discussed a number of really positive ideas and it’s clear that we share similar ambitions on what could be achieved together in the coming years.”
Lucas Pedrozo, administrative head of Coritiba, said: “Today we took another important step in this partnership. We have practically adjusted commercial, marketing and expansion actions for both brands, so that the two clubs can use the potential of their great fans for the benefit of both clubs.”
Norwich City and Coritiba would like to place on record its ongoing thanks to Footballworker UK, who helped to facilitate the agreement between the two clubs.