Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Open St. George’s Park

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will open St. George’s Park, The FA’s new national football centre, next month it has been announced.

The Duke of Cambridge, who is the Honourary President of The FA, will officially launch the new national facility, which was completed in July.

The Royal Party will visit the Burton-upon-Trent site on Tuesday October 9, and join specially invited guests to celebrate the opening of the new home for the 24 representative England teams.

Local community figureheads and young players will meet the Royal Party, before they greet staff from The FA, Hilton Hotels and Spire Healthcare, who operate the three main facilities at St. George’s Park.

They will then meet England Manager Roy Hodgson and his squad as they train at St. George’s Park for the very first time ahead of their Euro 2012 qualification game against San Marino later that week.

Hope Powell, England women’s senior team manager, will be joined by a number of her squad who will also meet Their Royal Highnesses as they tour the facility, including the community use pitches and Sport England pavilion, the Hilton and Hampton by Hilton Hotels and the Spire Perform rehabilitation centre.

FA Chairman David Bernstein said: “The opening of St. George’s Park is truly a momentous occasion in the history of The FA. Next year we will celebrate The FA’s 150th anniversary, and this moment will be recorded as significant as any that has gone before us in the last 149 years.

“We are particularly delighted that both the Duke and Duchess can join us to open this facility.”

Chairman of St. George’s Park David Sheepshanks added: “This is a wonderful reward for all of the people that have worked so hard to bring St. George’s Park to reality.

“The local community have embraced every aspect of St. George’s Park and this will be a red letter day for Burton-upon-Trent and the surrounding locality.”