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Participants at last week’s Premier League Kicks session at Gresham Sports Park were given a surprise to remember when Nottingham Forest players Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ola Aina dropped in for an unexpected visit.

The duo spent time chatting with participants about football, teamwork, and perseverance. They also took the opportunity to share stories from their own journeys in the game, highlighting the importance of working hard, showing respect, and believing in yourself both on and off the pitch.

Player visits like this have a lasting impact on young people. Meeting professional footballers in person can be a powerful source of motivation, inspiring participants to stay active and champion positive values. These visits also help strengthen the connection between Nottingham Forest and local Nottinghamshire communities.

In addition, they give players, many of whom are new to Nottingham, an opportunity to learn more about the local area and the young people who live within it.

Premier League Kicks is a national programme funded by the Premier League Charitable Fund and delivered locally by Nottingham Forest Community Trust. The programme uses the power of the Premier League, football, and sport to engage young people aged 8 to 16.

Kicks, as it is more commonly known, offers free weekly sessions across communities in Nottinghamshire, providing opportunities for young people to develop confidence, learn new skills, and build positive relationships in a safe and inclusive environment.

At its core, Premier League Kicks aims to help young people reach their potential while bringing communities together through a shared love of football and sport. By providing consistent, trusted spaces to play and learn, the programme hopes to reduce anti-social behaviour, promote physical wellbeing, and encourage participants to make a positive contribution to society.

This particular session also raised awareness of the Premier League’s No Room For Racism campaign. The campaign underlines the Premier League and its clubs’ ongoing commitment to tackling discrimination and promoting equality, urging players, staff, and supporters to take a stand against all forms of racism and prejudice.

Adding to the excitement of the evening, Nottingham Forest’s sustainability and training kit partner, E.ON Next, kindly donated four pairs of tickets for Forest’s upcoming UEFA Europa League home fixture against FC Porto this week. The tickets were awarded to four participants who demonstrated exceptional respect, teamwork, and a positive attitude throughout the session. Hudson-Odoi and Aina personally congratulated the winners and handed over the tickets at the end of the event.

“I couldn’t believe it when they walked over to us,” said one participant. “Meeting Callum and Ola was amazing. They spoke to everyone and gave out tickets to a Forest game, which was cool. It made the session really special.”

Nottingham Forest Community Trust coach Oscar Ridley added: We were thrilled to welcome Callum and Ola to the session. The participants’ energy and enthusiasm were fantastic – even more so than usual, and having the players there made it even more memorable.

“Visits like this really help to bring our messages of respect, teamwork, and inclusion to life.

“We are also proud to support the Premier League’s No Room For Racism campaign, showing participants that standing up against discrimination is just as important as developing their skills on the pitch.”