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A group of nine girls from Claremont Primary School have discovered confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging – thanks to the power of sport and the support of the Premier League Primary Stars programme.

Their journey began at their newly formed after-school football club and for most of the pupils, it was their first experience playing football.

Now, they’ve developed into a motivated team who progressed all the way to the semi-finals of Nottingham Forest Community Trust’s Year 5 & 6 Girls Football Tournament which marked a proud milestone for the school and the players themselves.

Premier League Primary Stars is a national programme that uses the power of football to inspire children to be active, learn, and develop important life skills – both inside and outside the classroom.

Run in partnership with schools by professional football club community organisations like Nottingham Forest Community Trust, the programme provides high-quality support across areas such as English, Maths, PSHE, and PE. It also creates exciting extra-curricular opportunities, including after-school clubs, targeted interventions, and school tournaments.

A key strand of the programme is to make sport accessible and inclusive.

Through football, children build skills like communication, teamwork, leadership, and resilience.

Coach Ben from Nottingham Forest Community Trust began delivering the girls’ after-school football club with a focus on fun, confidence-building, and teamwork. The girls, many of whom had never kicked a ball before, were encouraged by Ben to give it a go.

“Some of these girls had never played football before,” Ben explained.

“Through their weekly training sessions, they’ve built self-confidence, self-esteem and a real sense of team identity.”

Each week, the girls grew. What started as nerves and uncertainty became smiles, encouragement, and progress.

“I used to be scared of the football and now I’m the goalkeeper.”

“I thought people would laugh at me but now I can control the ball and feel confident.”

Over time, they began joining in with football at breaktimes, playing alongside the boys and getting more involved on the playground.

After receiving official Nottingham Forest shirts gifted by club owner Evangelos Marinakis as part of the Red Thread initiative, the girls now proudly train in Forest colours, helping to build pride and a stronger sense of team identity and further nurture their association and connections with Nottingham Forest Football Club.

The emotional impact has been just as powerful as the physical progress. The girls describe feeling “part of something,” with a strong sense of belonging and team spirit.

“I feel like I’m part of something now and not just someone at school.”

When speaking to the girls, they chose words like fun, extraordinary, exciting, proud, and inspired to describe their experience. Being part of the team has helped them form stronger friendships, improve their communication, and support one another on and off the pitch.

Thanks to Premier League Primary Stars, schools involved in the programme have the chance to take part in local football festivals and tournaments run by Nottingham Forest Community Trust. These events provide opportunities for children to represent their school, compete fairly, and apply the skills they’ve learned in real match settings.

For Claremont’s girls, taking part in the Year 5 & 6 Girls Local Tournament was a big step. For most, it was their first time wearing the school kit and playing in a competitive match. They worked well as a team and made it all the way to the semi-finals – a proud moment for both the players and the school.

“It’s given me experience playing against others – I feel proud.”

Some of the girls had already pushed themselves to take part in a mixed tournament earlier in the year to gain confidence and competitive experience.

Ben’s coaching role has played a huge part in the girls’ development. His fun, relaxed, and encouraging coaching style helped break down barriers and build trust.

“He’s not like a teacher,” said one pupil. “He’s more like a friend teaching us.”

“He makes football fun.”
“He’s good at showing us what to do.”
“Now I’m not scared to play anymore.”

Ben leads by example and brings a positive, energetic approach to each session. He celebrates every achievement and makes sure each girl feels seen and valued.

The Claremont girls’ football team shows how programmes like Premier League Primary Stars can support learning and personal development beyond the classroom. Through regular sessions and the chance to play competitively, the girls have grown in confidence and built a stronger connection with their school.

Their semi-final run was a great achievement, and the progress they’ve made will stay with them.

At Nottingham Forest Community Trust, we’re pleased to support schools like Claremont in creating opportunities that encourage all children to take part, build confidence, and enjoy being active.

To find out more about how we can support your school in the 2025/26 academic year, contact jordan.ferrer@nottinghamforest.co.uk