Ex-Premier League Footballer Plans “Elite Athletic Performance Centre” For Southfields

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Nedum Onuoha has applied for planning on a site near King George's Park


The proposed site is on Merton Road. Image Google Streetview

An ex-Premier League footballer plans to train the next generation of Olympians on an industrial estate in Southfields.

Nedum Onuoha, who spent more than a decade in the English top flight with Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers, has asked for permission to turn a former greeting cards warehouse into an “elite athletic performance centre”.

Move HQ, a company Mr Onuoha (pictured below) runs alongside sport scientist Mark Munroe (also formerly of QPR), submitted documents to Wandsworth Council that outline an ambitious vision for the site in Merton Road, next to King George’s Park.


Nedum Onuoha @QPR

With a proposed full-time staff of 30, including coaches, maintenance and support staff, the centre would differ from a normal gym because of its focus on improving performance.

Currently plying his trade in America for Real Salt Lake, Mr Onuoha was an impressive track and field athlete at junior level. And at the heart of the project would be an outreach programme for local state-funded schools - Southfields Academy is just over the road and Riversdale Primary School is not much further.

“We want to facilitate the athletic development of talented and aspiring local children and youths.

“Through access to our facility and coaches we want to support the journey of the enthusiastic school pupils through to elite performers and Olympians.”

Move HQ also hopes it would attract sports teams from around the UK and overseas to the centre.

A decision from the Council is expected within weeks.

Written with contributions from Calum Rutter, Local Democracy Reporter

 

May 14, 2019