News story

St George鈥檚 Park opens

New National Football Centre gets Royal approval.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Culture Secretary聽Maria Miller and Sports Minister Hugh Robertson joined Football Association President, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cambridge and Chairman of the Football Association David Bernstein today to officially open the FA鈥檚 national football centre.

, based in Burton-Upon-Trent, will be a centre of excellence for football, training the next generation of聽 coaches. It will also be used as a training base for all England teams as well as being accessible for community and schools use and boasts the very best medical and sports science facilities.

Future investment

Attending the opening, Maria Miller said: 鈥淭he opening of St George鈥檚 Park is a landmark moment for football in this country, which will help strengthen our national game at all levels.聽This summer has shown the importance that sport has at the heart of the British nation.

鈥淚t is through projects and investments such as St George鈥檚 Park that the next generation of coaches can be identified and nurtured, helping to develop the England stars of the future. Good coaching is vital for a sport to grow, and I am very pleased that Government and聽the聽National Lottery have been able to invest 拢6 million to help open up these fantastic facilities for local communities and schools.鈥澛�

The 拢6 million of public money for the development of St George鈥檚 Park includes 拢3 million in from to provide greater opportunities for communities and schools at the venue, and 拢3 million directly from DCMS, aimed at increasing the number of qualified coaches from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.

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Published 9 October 2012