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This week, the Forest Sports Zone hosted the Premier League Community Coach Development Programme, as the two-day course arrived in the city. Delivered by the Premier League at Nottingham Forest Community Trust’s community football facility, the programme brought together aspiring and established coaches to enhance the quality of grassroots football.

The Premier League Community Coach Development Programme is designed to strengthen the coaching system by supporting coaches to develop key skills beyond technical delivery. The programme places a strong emphasis on observation, feedback, reflection, and mentoring, helping coaches adapt their approach to different people, environments, and community needs. Learning combines classroom-based discussion with practical, on-pitch application, encouraging continuous development rather than one-off training.

This event follows the Community Trust’s successful international involvement in the programme’s launch earlier in 2025. In May, Nottingham Forest Community Trust represented the club on the global stage in Singapore.

Working in partnership with the Premier League and the Football Association of Singapore, the Community Trust helped deliver an intensive training camp at the Kallang Football Hub for local grassroots leaders.

Welcoming a diverse group of attendees to the Forest Sports Zone, the sessions brought together students from West Notts College and members of the local community. Participants followed a curriculum designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application of coaching fundamentals.

Carl Plunkett, Coach Developer at the Premier League, said:
“Nottingham Forest was specifically chosen for this event because of their proven track record. Their staff have already been active ambassadors for this programme abroad and clearly understand the connection between international coaching standards and the benefits they deliver locally.

“The aim of this course is to provide a domestic opportunity for local coaches to upskill, helping them become even more effective within their own communities. This group has been fully engaged and has embraced high-level concepts they may not have encountered before.

“We have seen a fantastic application of these standards, and the feedback has been excellent. Participants are being introduced to the same elite skillsets delivered globally, opening up development opportunities that have not previously been accessible to them.”

Across the two days, participants moved between classroom-based learning and on-pitch delivery, testing new drills and inclusive coaching strategies.

One participant said:
“Being part of this programme as a student has been an incredible experience. Learning the theory is important, but learning directly from Premier League-level coach developers takes it to another level. Understanding how global standards apply here in Nottingham has given me a much clearer idea of the career path I want to follow, and I feel far more confident leading sessions.”

Another participant added:
“The energy across the two days has been brilliant. As a local coach, you are always looking for ways to keep young players engaged and make sure everyone feels included. This course has given me a fresh toolkit to do exactly that. Knowing the Trust has delivered the same approach internationally, really highlights the quality of support available locally.”

For Nottingham Forest Community Trust, hosting the development opportunities reinforces its role as a leader in both local sports development. Through its partnership with the Premier League, the Trust continues to raise standards within community football.

Tom Norton, Head of Programmes at Nottingham Forest Community Trust, commented:
“Hosting the Premier League Community Coach Development Programme at the Forest Sports Zone is a proud moment for the Trust.

“These two days represent a continued investment in the people who inspire young players every day. Seeing West Notts College students learning alongside community coaches highlights the strength of the coaching pathway we are building here in Nottingham.”

Coaches will now return to their local teams and communities equipped with new tools to promote inclusivity, discipline, and a lifelong love of the game among the next generation of players.