⚽ Our New 3G Football Pitch in Thetford is Officially Open! ⚽

Today, 11th of June 2025, marked a proud moment for Thetford as we officially opened our brand-new, state-of-the-art 3G football pitch at Breckland Leisure Centre!

We were thrilled to welcome members of the local community, sports organisations, funders, and distinguished guests to celebrate this incredible achievement and witness the official ribbon cutting ceremony, the final step in bringing this top-tier facility to life.

This £740,000 project was made possible thanks to a major grant of over £520,000 from the Football Foundation, with additional support from Breckland Council, Parkwood Project Management, and Lex Leisure. Together, we’ve delivered a pitch that meets the highest standards and is ready to serve players of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

We were deeply honoured to be joined by a truly inspiring lineup of special guests, including:

🎖️ Mary Rudd, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk🥊 Frank Bruno MBE, British boxing legend⚽ Peter Shilton CBE, England’s most capped footballer🇬🇧 Steve Brown, Paralympian and motivational speaker🐴 Bob Champion CBE, Grand National winning jockey👒 Lady Kay Fisher, esteemed community supporter🎓 Sam Taylor, Chair of Breckland Council

And notably, all of this took place alongside another remarkable event being hosted at the centre, Presidents Day, organised by the Presidents Sporting Association. This inspiring annual event sees hundreds of children with varying disabilities come together to explore a wide range of sports and activities in a safe, welcoming environment.

We were truly privileged that Sir Trevor Brooking and Peter Shilton, both celebrated sporting icons, attended Presidents Day and generously agreed to also take part in the 3G pitch opening ceremony, bridging both events with their presence and encouragement. Their involvement added a deeply meaningful dimension to the day’s celebrations.

As Mayor of Thetford, I was incredibly proud to be part of this historic moment. This new facility represents more than just a football pitch, it’s an investment in our youth, our wellbeing, and our unity as a town.

Let’s carry this momentum forward and look toward uplifting other important spaces, like Redcastle Sports Ground, which has long served our young people and deserves the same level of care and renewal.

Together, let’s continue to focus on our strengths, rise above our differences, and build a better future for Thetford, one pitch, one project, one community at a time.

Me and My good friend, the Fabulous Lady Kay Fisher