Newcastle United Foundation's state-of-the-art facility NUCASTLE, powered by Newcastle Building Society, is officially open following a special event welcoming the community to the centre recently. The £8m project received a £2m grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government's Football Foundation.
Around 300 guests including Foundation patrons, trustees, partners, funders, and participants joined celebrations at the community hub alongside Newcastle United first team head coach Eddie Howe and club captain Jamaal Lascelles.
Newcastle United Foundation Trustee Shola Ameobi officially opened the centre with the ceremonial ribbon cutting on NUCASTLE's spectacular rooftop football pitch overlooking St. James' Park just five minutes' walk away.
Around 2,000 people have already benefitted from activities at NUCASTLE since its soft launch in February, helping communities to engage in sport, develop skills, achieve qualifications, build confidence, and progress into further training or employment.
And now open seven days a week, NUCASTLE combines community space with education and wellness facilities, including activity and state-of-the-art cycling studios, specialist STEM room, esports room, four-court sports hall, accessible changing areas, event and meeting spaces, offices and more.
Newcastle legend Shola Ameobi with Football Foundation CEO, Robert Sullivan (left)
Robert Sullivan, CEO of Football Foundation, said: "At the Football Foundation, we know from experience the transformative impact grassroots sports facilities can have on people's physical and mental health, bringing communities closer together as well as benefiting local economies.
Steve Beharall, Head of Newcastle United Foundation, said: "This is not just an historic day for Newcastle United Foundation, but an historic day for the city of Newcastle and the wider region."
"It has been a tremendous team effort to bring this community hub back to life for children, young people, families and older people who will find meaningful opportunities to change and improve their lives at NUCASTLE.
"Harnessing the power of football alongside the extraordinary support of Newcastle United Football Club, the Premier League, Newcastle Building Society, North of Tyne Combined Authority, Football Foundation, North East LEP and other key partners - we are confident NUCASTLE will be at the heart of our community for generations to come."
