The Nest

What The Nest does

The Nest is Norfolk's community sports hub, operated by Norwich City Community Sports Foundation (a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1088239). Located on a 22-acre secure site in Horsford near Norwich International Airport, it offers two floodlit full-sized 3G pitches (the Norfolk Hire Arena home of Norwich City Women FC, and the Lauren Hemp Community 3G Pitch), seven grass pitches (5-a-side through 11-a-side), five residential bunk boxes sleeping up to 14 each, conference and event spaces, The Hub Café and Clubhouse Dining, The Box health and wellbeing facility, The Store retail outlet, and Challenge Woods (a 330m² outdoor woodland adventure playground with sensory activities). The venue opened in phases from 2018-2025 and is funded through a mix of charitable grants (Football Foundation, Premier League, FA, Norfolk County Council, New Anglia LEP, Geoffrey Watling Charity, Breyer Foundation), Norwich City FC match funding, and corporate sponsorships.

The Nest monetises through a diversified, transactional revenue mix: per-hour pitch and venue hire booked via the SportsKey portal; multi-tier children's birthday party packages (The Box, Football, and Challenge Woods at £100-205); football residential bundles combining accommodation, pitches, catering, and pre-arranged fixtures; retail sales of second-hand sports gear, Joma Foundation kit, and Run Norwich merchandise; café and catering services; NHS Health Checks via Reed Wellbeing; and fee-based or free-to-user community programmes (Football Foundations, Run Foundations, Run For Me). Pricing varies by facility and package, with a 15% pre-season pitch discount promotion running 1 July – 31 August 2026.

Customer segments span sports teams (grassroots to elite, including Canada Women's National Team and Halifax Wanderers), schools and educational groups, businesses and corporate event organisers, families booking children's parties, and the local community accessing wellbeing programmes. The site hosts Norwich City Women FC matches and is positioned as a regional destination sports venue with national-team-grade credentials, supported by a deep ecosystem of strategic, financial, and operational partners rather than a traditional sales-led GTM motion.

Name

The Nest

Legal name

Norwich City Community Sports Foundation

Website

https://thenest.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Nest is a 22-acre community sports hub in Horsford, Norwich, operated by the Norwich City Community Sports Foundation. It offers 3G and grass football pitches, event spaces, residential accommodation, a café, a wellbeing facility, and an outdoor adventure play area to sports teams, schools, businesses, families, and the local community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Sports Facility

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Sport Complexes & Community Sports Parks (MPAKAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family & Recreation Campgrounds (Amenities/Activities Focus) (THAMAJAJ), Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA)

Keywords

• Community sports facility
• Football pitch hire
• Venue hire
• Children's party packages
• Football residentials

Headquarters

HQ city

Norwich

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Pitch and Venue Hire: Revenue from hiring out football pitches (3G and grass), event spaces, conference rooms, and facilities on a one-off or recurring basis. Booking system via SportsKey portal with various time slots and configurations.
2. Birthday Party Packages: Three party packages: The Box parties (£100 for 10 children), Football parties (from £145 for 15 children), and Challenge Woods parties (from £140 for 25 children). Additional food and drink extras available.
3. Retail - The Store: Second-hand sports gear retail, Foundation kit merchandise, and Run Norwich merchandise sold through on-site store. Proceeds support Community Sports Foundation programmes.
4. Cafe and Catering: On-site cafe serving hot drinks, food and snacks. Catering services for events, residential groups, and birthday parties with bespoke menus.
5. Football Residentials: Accommodation bunk boxes (sleeping up to 14 people each) combined with pitch hire, catering, and pre-arranged fixtures for visiting football teams for pre-season training camps.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Nest is a 22-acre community sports hub offering hire of two floodlit 3G football pitches and seven grass pitches (5-a-side through 11-a-side), The Box health and wellbeing facility with Lü Interactive Wall, Challenge Woods outdoor adventure playground, on-site residential bunk boxes, conference and event spaces, a café and catering operation, and The Store retail space. The venue serves sports teams, schools, businesses, families, and community users through online booking via the SportsKey portal and direct enquiry channels.

Product overview

The Nest is a community sports hub operated by Norwich City Community Sports Foundation, offering a portfolio of sports, leisure, and event facilities across a 22-acre site in Horsford, Norwich. The core offering consists of football pitch hire (two 3G pitches and seven grass pitches, configurable from 5-a-side to 11-a-side), venue hire for conferences and business events, and football residentials with on-site bunk box accommodation. The facility portfolio has expanded to include The Box (a health and wellbeing facility with interactive Lü Wall technology), The Store (a retail space for pre-loved sports gear and Foundation merchandise), Challenge Woods (a 330m2 outdoor woodland adventure playground), and a Hub Cafe with Clubhouse Dining. Additional programming includes Football Foundations (performance training in The Box), Run Foundations (running strength courses), and Run For Me (mental wellbeing running groups). Phases 4 and 5 will add three padel courts and a Youth Hub. The site also hosts the Canada Women's National Football Team and Norfolk & Suffolk Youth League finals, reflecting its reputation as a high-quality sports destination.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Football Pitch Hire Hire of two floodlit 3G full-sized pitches (Norfolk Hire Arena and Lauren Hemp Community 3G Pitch) and seven grass pitches configurable from 5-a-side through 11-a-side, available on a recurring or one-off basis.
• The Box - Health & Wellbeing Facility A purpose-built, versatile health and wellbeing facility featuring exercise bikes, punch bag, free weights, SkiErg machine, and the Lü Interactive Wall. Available for private hire as a fitness centre, classroom, or community hub.
• Challenge Woods - Outdoor Adventure Play Area A 330m2 outdoor wooden adventure playground built into surrounding trees and woodland, featuring raised walkways, slides, ladders, ropes, a 35-metre zip line, treehouse, and climbing wall. Open to families, groups, and birthday parties.
• Hub Cafe & Clubhouse Dining The Hub Cafe overlooks the main 3G pitch and serves Green Farm Coffee, snacks, and hot food. The Clubhouse Dining area seats up to 60 people and is used for events and overnight guests, with bespoke catering menus.
• Conference & Business Venue Hire Indoor conference rooms (Inspire and Engage event spaces) equipped with media walls and sound systems, available for corporate conferences, team building days, and business events with in-house catering and events team support.
• Football Residentials

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Orange Fox ElectricalmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Electrical services partner since 2021, supporting site growth and safety. Will be instrumental in installation of three new padel courts. Their reliability, technical expertise and 'can do' approach support day-to-day operations.
• Norse GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation Strategic Partner. Norse Group is the UK's largest local authority trading company, born from Norfolk County Council in 1988. They provide a range of public sector services and support The Nest's community mission.
• Norfolk HirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrincipal Partner. Family-run car, van and minibus hire business from Great Yarmouth committed to friendly and reliable service. Their sponsorship includes naming rights for the Norfolk Hire Arena 3G pitch.
• JomamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnical kit partner producing official Community Sports Foundation training range sold through The Store. Includes pitch naming rights for Joma Arena 11-a-side grass pitch.
• Green Farm CoffeeminorOthersCoffee supplier for The Nest cafe, providing fresh coffee and related products to cafe operations.
• EverywhenminorOthersPartner organisation supporting The Nest's operations and community mission.
• Origin Amenity SolutionsminorOthersPartner providing grounds maintenance and amenity solutions for the site's sports pitches and outdoor areas.
• Ben BurgessminorOthersEquipment and services partner contributing to The Nest's facilities and operations.
• Anglian ChemicalsminorOthersLocal business supporter of The Nest's community mission and Build The Nest campaign.
• Reed WellbeingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS Health Checks provider offering free health checks at The Nest cafe, expanding wellbeing services to the local community.
• NCL ContractorsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction contractor who built the new pathway to Challenge Woods and has committed to supporting ongoing maintenance of Challenge Woods. Partnership will ensure woodland playground remains accessible.
• Norwich City Football ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent club whose Community Sports Foundation operates The Nest. Club match-funded up to £500,000 for Build The Nest campaign, hosts legends fundraiser events, and provides ongoing programming connection. Site houses Norwich City Women FC home pitch.
• MH GoalsminorOthersSports equipment supplier supporting The Nest's facilities.
• OvamillminorOthersPartner organisation supporting The Nest's operations.
• SharpminorOthersTechnology partner providing equipment for The Nest facilities.
• Canham ConsultingminorOthersConsulting partner supporting The Nest's operations and planning.
• Norwich AccountancyminorOthersAccounting services partner for The Nest and Community Sports Foundation.
• RUAminorOthersPartner organisation supporting The Nest.
• Rhino Greenhouse DirectminorOthersSupplier partner for The Nest's facilities.
• Jett DistributionminorOthersDistribution partner supporting The Nest's operations.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• David Ross Sports Village: Multi-sport community hub at the University of Nottingham offering pitches, sports facilities, classes, and events. Highly comparable as a community-oriented multi-amenity sports venue operated on a single site with mixed sport, fitness, and event programming.
• St George's Park (FA National Football Centre): England's national football training centre operated by the FA featuring 3G and grass pitches, on-site accommodation, conference and event spaces, and elite team training services. Directly comparable to The Nest on 3G pitch hire, residential packages, and elite football team stays.
• Surrey Sports Park: University of Surrey-operated community sports hub combining indoor and outdoor pitches, fitness, classes, birthday parties, and venue hire. Mirrors The Nest's diversified mix of sport, parties, and event hosting on a single multi-amenity site.
• Goals Soccer Centres: UK's largest operator of small-sided football centres with multiple floodlit 3G pitches and a focus on 5-a-side and grassroots football bookings. Closest direct commercial comparator to The Nest's 3G and grass pitch hire offering.
• Powerleague: Established small-sided football operator with 50+ venues across the UK, offering 3G pitch hire, leagues, and parties. Comparable in core pitch hire and party revenue lines, though lacking the residential and wellbeing components.
• Tottenham Hotspur Foundation: Charitable arm of Tottenham Hotspur FC delivering community sports programmes and operating community sports facilities in North London. Closely comparable charity-plus-football-club structure and mission of using sport for community impact.
• Manchester City Foundation: Charitable arm of Manchester City FC running community football, education, and health programmes. Similar football-club-affiliated charity model delivering community sport, education, and wellbeing services.
• PGL (PGL Travel): UK's leading provider of school residential activity camps offering on-site accommodation, sports pitches, and structured programmes. Closely comparable to The Nest's schools programme and football residentials products.

Broad incumbents

• English Institute of Sport (EIS): National network of high-performance sports training facilities used by elite athletes. Comparable on the multi-sport training and elite-customer service model, but operates as a public-sector umbrella network rather than a single community hub.
• Loughborough University Sport: Large university sports complex with pitches, performance facilities, events, and community programming. Comparable in multi-sport venue scale, mixed-use programming, and on-site residential/training offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thenestcsf
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheNestCSF
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-nest-csf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Nest