This month marks the start of a significant transformation as work gets underway on the redevelopment of the Normanton Park Sports Courts.

The Cruyff Court and Playzone will provide state-of-the-art facilities that are designed to become a central hub for sports, play, and recreation within the local community. Activities will include football, cricket, basketball and other sporting recreational activities.

The project is managed by Sporting Communities and funded by Cruyff Foundation, the Premier League, The FA and Government's Football Foundation, Derby Homes, and Derby City Council via an external grant from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Parks Fund. These partners, with Friends of Normanton Park, have played a vital role in turning this vision into reality.

This collaborative partnership anticipates these cutting-edge facilities will empower the community to pursue their passion for sports and encourage an active lifestyle.

Construction work on the facilities is due to start this week, with the goal of having the courts ready for use by January 2024. Opportunities will be available for community groups and individuals to hire the courts. Sporting Communities invite interested parties to find out more by emailing hire@sportingcommunitiescic.org.

Ben Rigby, Managing Director of Sporting Communities, said:

I’m delighted that we are able to finally undergo the transformation of the Normanton Park Sports Courts and am extremely proud of the team that has put a lot of hours into making these courts a reality. The facilities have been in need of renovation for quite some time and we have a highly experienced construction organisation, Reech Sports and Play, working on them.

Normanton and Derby city deserve to have high quality sports facilities and these will be a fantastic addition. Thank you to everyone who has helped to make the courts a possibility, there is a tremendous amount of interest in them already and I look forward to seeing the community using them.

Councillor Baggy Shanker, Leader of Derby City Council, said:

As we commence the transformation of Normanton Park Sports Courts, the inclusion of the Cruyff Court and Playzone brings state-of-the-art sporting facilities that will foster healthy living and inclusivity. With the invaluable support of our partners, we eagerly anticipate the flourishing of Derby's active community.