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Middleton Primary School proudly represented Nottingham Forest in the Premier League Primary Stars National Girls’ Tournament at Molineux Stadium, the home of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Their journey to this memorable experience was built on months of hard work, commitment, and positive spirit that centred around a thriving after-school football programme delivered through Premier League Primary Stars.

Earlier this year, Middleton’s girls’ team secured their place in the national finals by winning the regional tournament held at the Forest Sports Zone, overcoming other local primary school teams to earn the right to pull on the Forest shirt and compete against other schools representing Premier League clubs from across the country.

Premier League Primary Stars aims to use the power of football to engage and inspire young people both in the classroom and on the playground.

Its after-school provision has proven to be a key driver in boosting participation and enthusiasm for physical activity, particularly among girls. At Middleton, the success of the programme has led to increased interest in school sport and a greater sense of school identity.

Behind their success was an inspiring after-school training programme delivered by coach Harry, part of the dedicated schools team at Nottingham Forest Community Trust.

These sessions became a space where the girls could build friendships, grow in confidence, and develop their interest in football and ultimately Nottingham Forest.

The weekly sessions helped the team bond, improve technically, and understand the importance of teamwork and resilience.

For many of the pupils, it was their first experience playing structured football in a supportive setting.

To top off the experience, Middleton travelled to Wolverhampton on the official Nottingham Forest first team coach – a once-in-a-lifetime experience for any player that gave the pupils a taste of what it feels like to be part of a professional matchday.

The tournament itself brought together schools representing all 20 Premier League clubs, with each team earning their place through regional qualifiers.

The day featured a group stage format followed by knockout rounds, offering every team the chance to showcase their skills on a Premier League stage.

With matches played on the pitch at Molineux, the event was not just a competition but a celebration of girls’ football, promoting inclusion, accessibility and teamwork.

The girls represented the club with pride and determination. Although they didn’t progress beyond the group stage, their attitude and togetherness stood out.

They were a credit to Nottingham Forest, demonstrating the values of respect, integrity, and fair play throughout the day.

“I’m really proud to have coached this group,” said coach Harry. “They took the after-school sessions seriously and worked well as a team. To see them qualify through the regional tournament and then walk out at a Premier League stadium was a great moment for them and for the school.”

“The after-school sessions have been brilliant for the girls, not just to improve their skills, but to build a real bond as a team,” added Megan Haynes, Premier League Primary Stars Coordinator at Nottingham Forest Community Trust.

“They’ve grown in confidence and resilience, and to see them represent Forest on a Premier League pitch is just incredible. It’s something they’ll definitely remember.”