A much-needed £105,000 expansion to a sports pavilion will provide clubs in the area with better changing facilities.

Eastern Daily Press: Sprowston Pavillion is officially opened after work to improve the changing rooms and add new ones. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYSprowston Pavillion is officially opened after work to improve the changing rooms and add new ones. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2016)

Funding from the Football Association has paid for the creation of three new changing rooms at Sprowston Pavilion, on the edge of Norwich.

It will allow for multiple matches to take place on the pavilion's recreation ground at any one time.

The money, which included a £35,000 grant from Veolia Environmental Trust, was also used for the refurbishment of two existing changing rooms.

Sprowston Town Council chairman Ian Moncur said: 'Bringing more sports facilities to Sprowston has been a long aim of mine and having grown up locally I am particularly aware of the need for these additional amenities.

'It has allowed for an extra changing room for match officials, so they no longer need to change with the guys that they may have upset during the game.'

The town council worked in partnership with the Norfolk County FA to secure a £70,000 grant from the Premier League and the FA Facilities Fund.

It officially opened the new and improved changing facilities earlier this month.

Several football teams currently use the recreation ground and the pavilion, including The Dyers Arms, One Love, Ribs Rovers, Sprowston Youth teams and Sprowston Wanderers.

The ground and the pavilion is used for other sports, including cricket, tennis and bowls.

Paul Thorogood, Football Foundation chief executive, said: 'I am delighted that a grant from the Premier League and the FA Facilities Fund has enabled the town council to upgrade the Sprowston Pavilion.

'This development will provide a real boost to sport in the local area. This latest project in Sprowston is the latest addition to the inventory of modern community sports sites we are developing that cater for the needs of local people who want to play sport purely for the love if it and to stay healthy.'

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