NORWICH CITY Academy’s youngest prospects will form a guard of honour for the two teams at tonight’s 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.

“Tonight is about promoting our Academy in every way we can. It’s 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,” said Matthew Wright, the Academy’s Foundation Phase Lead Coach.

“They’re buzzing about it and really excited to be a part of the evening. It’s 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.

“We 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, it’s something they can keep.”

The age-group gets together three times a week at the Academy’s base at Colney Training Centre, with the coaching emphasis firmly on enjoyment.

“The Foundation phase is all about learning to master the ball and to love the game. That’s the strapline we use,” added Wright.

“We have different programmes which entail the ball mastery, or the ‘Norwich Way’, 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 – it’s about them having a fun environment to play in, and being at a Category One club, that’s what they get.

“Recently we’ve played Tottenham and Arsenal, and we were competitive. In the foundation phase it’s not all about results; it’s about how they develop.”

The guard of honour will take place approximately five minutes before kick-off, which is at 7.45pm.

Tickets are FREE for tonight’s 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.

UNDER-9s TO FORM GUARD OF HONOUR AT U21s GAME

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