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Alayla recently had the unforgettable experience of being a Nottingham Forest mascot at the club’s recent Premier League fixture at home to Arsenal FC.

Her journey from Soccer Schools sessions to the City Ground encapsulates the impact of Nottingham Forest’s community programmes and the opportunities they create for young footballers.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we shine a spotlight on the opportunities for young girls to grow their love of football through Nottingham Forest Official Soccer Schools.

These sessions provide a fun, inclusive, and inspiring environment where boys and girls can develop their skills, build confidence, and strengthen their bond with Nottingham Forest Football Club.

To facilitate growth of the women’s game, Nottingham Forest Community Trust is proud to run a dedicated girls-only session every school holiday as more young girls than ever are stepping onto the pitch, dreaming big, and making memories.

One such participant is Alayla, who has regularly attended our Rushcliffe and Newark sessions; she has since developed her football skills, gained lots of confidence, and is focused on her goal of representing Nottingham Forest Women when she’s older.

A regular at Nottingham Forest Official Soccer Schools, Alayla’s love for football has grown with the reassurance and guidance from the coaches who quickly identified the progress she has made.

Her passion and commitment were rewarded recently when she was given the incredible opportunity to be a Nottingham Forest mascot at the club’s 0-0 Premier League draw at home to Arsenal FC.

Reflecting on the experience, Alayla shared her excitement:“I LOVE NOTTINGHAM FOREST!

“When my mum took me to the Forest Soccer School, I was so excited because it made me feel like I was a part of the club.

“After going to a lot of the sessions at both Newark and Rushcliffe, I got asked to be a Nottingham Forest mascot.

She continued: “On the day of being a mascot, I was given a full tour of the stadium – even the dressing rooms – met all of the players, including my favourite, Morgan Gibbs-White, and was able to walk out with Anthony Elanga.

“This was the best day of my life and has shown me how amazing it will feel when I play for the Forest Women’s team at the mighty City Ground one day!

“COME ON YOU REDS!”

Alayla’s mother, Stephanie, also spoke about the impact of Soccer Schools on her daughter’s journey:“The Nottingham Forest Soccer Schools have been the perfect place for Alayla to fuel her love for the game, build her skills, make friends, and have fun.

“Alayla’s favourite days out are to the City Ground, watching the men’s or women’s matches. So, when she was asked to be a mascot, this was truly a dream come true.

“Thank you so much for making an aspiring footballer’s dream come true.”

Nottingham Forest Official Soccer Schools continue to inspire and nurture young footballers, giving them the opportunity to develop on and off the pitch. With the addition of dedicated girls-only sessions every school holiday, more young girls like Alayla are getting the chance to build their skills and confidence in a supportive environment.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we recognise the importance of creating these opportunities for the next generation of female footballers. With role models at Nottingham Forest Women and Nottingham Forest Netball paving the way, and initiatives like Soccer Schools giving young girls a place to play, the future of women’s sport continues to grow from strength to strength.