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Nottingham Forest Women players Hollie Olding and Mollie Green recently attended a Premier League Primary Stars event at The City Ground, where they spoke to pupils about the importance of mental health.

The event brought together students from Crabtree Farm, Claremont Primary and Nursery and Kirkby Woodhouse Primary School, offering them an opportunity to engage in discussions around mental wellbeing, resilience, and emotional health.

Hollie Olding and Mollie Green shared their experiences as professional footballers, highlighting how mental health plays a key role in both sport and everyday life.

As part of the session, the pupils took part in activities designed to encourage open conversations about mental health, build confidence, and equip them with strategies to support their wellbeing. Both players emphasised that mental health is just as important as physical health and that talking about emotions should be seen as a sign of strength rather than weakness.

In addition to her participation in the Premier League Primary Stars event, Hollie Olding also attended Tricky to Talk, Nottingham Forest’s dedicated mental health support initiative.

The programme is designed to create a safe space for people within the community to speak openly about mental health challenges, seek advice, and receive support. Hollie’s involvement further reinforces Nottingham Forest’s commitment to raising awareness and providing mental health resources both inside and outside the club.

Hollie Olding said, “It was a privilege to attend both sessions and it felt quite empowering to speak about mental health so openly. I really noticed it’s something everyone struggles with at some point in their life and it felt great to have a space where people can open up.”

Speaking about the impact of the event, Megan Haynes, Premier League Primary Stars Coordinator, highlighted the importance of having role models like Hollie and Mollie engaging with young people on this topic:

“Having players like Hollie and Mollie share their personal experiences is incredibly powerful. They help to break down barriers and show young people that it’s okay to talk about their feelings.

“By encouraging open conversations about mental health, we can give pupils the tools they need to build resilience and support their emotional wellbeing both in school and beyond.”

Nottingham Forest remains dedicated to using football as a platform to promote mental health awareness and well-being across the community. Through initiatives like Premier League Primary Stars and Tricky to Talk, the club continues to provide valuable opportunities for young people and fans alike to learn about the importance of mental health in a supportive environment.

Premier League Primary Stars is a nationwide programme that uses the power of football to inspire children in primary schools across England and Wales. Delivered by professional football clubs, including Nottingham Forest, the programme provides free learning resources and opportunities that support pupils in developing essential life skills both inside and outside the classroom.

At its core, Premier League Primary Stars champions four key values: be fair, be ambitious, be inspiring, and be connected. These principles encourage young people to treat others with respect, strive for success, act as role models, and build strong relationships within their school communities.