St. George's Park, The National Football Centre Opens

The £105m St George's Park complex in Staffordshire was officially opened today by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The park will house all 24 England teams, from junior to senior levels and Universal Services were proud to install a wall protection net in the indoor senior football pitch. Prince William, who is president of the Football Association, said: "Coming here and seeing these wonderful facilities gives me the same feeling as when I first went to the Olympic Park. It gives me great pride we have created in this country facilities that are beyond compare anywhere else. St George's Park is a concept totally new. It will provide more than just world-class facilities for our national team and more than a university from which hundreds of coaches will graduate. It will provide employment and a social hub for local people and will foster community spirit and purpose and hope throughout England." England's players are using the facility for the first time this week as they prepare for their World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland. Aimed at raising standards of play at all levels, it will provide a centre of excellence for training coaches and for sports medicine, sports science and psychology.