Football Development

Welcome to Norwich City Football Development

At Norwich City Football Development, we deliver a high-quality, structured coaching programme that acts as a key step on the pathway to elite football, including opportunities to progress into the Norwich City Category 1 Academy.

Operating across Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, and Peterborough, our 32-week Development and Advanced Centres offer tailored technical, tactical and physical training delivered by UEFA-qualified coaches.

Players who excel may be invited to showcase events or referred to the academy, with several success stories already making the jump. Alongside this, we run Further and Education programmes in Ely and Stratton, Holiday Camps, and Residential Tours both in the UK and abroad — all designed to inspire and develop the next generation of football talent.

As part of our programme, players may be offered fixture opportunities throughout the season. In 2024/25, our squads faced opposition including Brighton, Chelsea, Watford, Peterborough United, Aston Villa and more — providing a fantastic test for our players and a platform to impress.

Football Development

Pathway-Driven Player Development

Our Football Development programme forms a vital part of the player pathway into elite football, including the Norwich City Category 1 Academy and beyond.

We offer a structured 32-week season that supports players aged from six to 16 through a network of Development Centres and Advanced Centres across Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Peterborough, Suffolk and Surrey. Players train weekly with UEFA-qualified coaches, following a carefully designed syllabus focused on long-term player progression.

Those who consistently excel are invited to showcase events, referred directly to Norwich City's scouting and recruitment team, or selected for our City Select and pre-academy squads. Our programme is more than weekly sessions — it's a genuine stepping stone into professional football environments.

In addition to weekly training, our players may take part in competitive fixtures and showcase matches against top opposition. During the 2024/25 season, our Development and Advanced squads competed against Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea FC, Watford FC, Peterborough United and Aston Villa, among others.

Find a Player Development Centre Near You...

Cambridgeshire

Linton and Northstowe, Mondays (Under-7 to Under-14)
Northstowe, Thursdays (Under-15 to Under-17)
Witchford, Fridays (Under-7 to Under-14)
Cambourne, Fridays (Under-7 to Under-14)

Peterborough

Huntingdon, Tuesdays (Under-7 to Under-12)
St Neots, Fridays (Under-12 to Under-16)
Ramsey, Fridays (Under-7 to Under-16)

Suffolk

Whitton, Mondays (Under-7 to Under-14)
Bury St Edmunds, Fridays (Under-7 to Under-16)

Hertfordshire

Harlow, Mondays (Under-7/8 to Under-12)
Ware, Fridays (Under-9 to Under-16)

Trials

We will be holding trials for new players to join the Player Development Programme throughout the season

The trial will be spread across two training sessions and will be a combination of coached practices and small-sided games.

Fill in the form below and we will be in touch with further details.

Meet the Team

Director of Football Development - James Ward
Head of Football Development – Elliott Aldhouse
Business & Operations Assistant – James Atherton
Cambridgeshire Lead – Guy Habbin
Peterborough Lead – Pip Davis
Hertfordshire Lead – Jordan Chipps
Suffolk Lead – Joe Murphy
Surrey Lead – Shaun Moore
Girls Programme Lead – Phil Turner
Safeguarding Lead – Elliott Aldhouse

Further & Education (F&E)

Our Further & Education programme provides an elite football experience combined with academic development. Players train during the week with UEFA-qualified coaches while studying a BTEC or equivalent course — preparing them for both football and life beyond the game.

Programme Leads

Bishop Laney Lead – Pip Davis
Assistant – Guy Habbin
Stratton Lead – Stephen Clarke
Assistant – Jordan Chipps

Tours, Residentials and Tournaments

Ardingly Tour

A standout event in our calendar — our Ardingly residential brings together players from all regions for a three-day immersive football experience, packed with games, coaching and off-pitch activities in a professional environment.

Overseas Tours

Each year we take selected squads to international competitions, including the prestigious MadCup in Gran Canaria (June 2025) — providing elite-level challenge and cultural exposure.

Residentials at The Nest

Our residential visits to The Nest include full-board accommodation, elite training, stadium tours and friendlies against top-level opposition.

Summer Cup

Held annually in Cambridgeshire, Surrey, Essex and Hertfordshire, our Norwich City Summer Cup welcomes grassroots teams from across the UK for two days of exciting, fast-paced six-a-side action. With scouts in attendance, live updates, food vendors and a festival atmosphere — it’s one of the highlights of our calendar.

Holiday Camps

We run Football Camps and Technical Camps every school holiday — open to players of all abilities from ages five to 14.

Our camps are a great chance for players to have fun, improve and be seen by our coaches and scouts. Camps are run across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambs, and beyond, and often lead to trial invites for our main Development Centres.