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As part of the ongoing Forest Futures mentoring programme, Nottingham Forest Community Trust recently hosted a football tournament at The Forest Sports Zone, welcoming participants from Nottingham Forest, Burton Albion, and Derby County.

The event provided an opportunity for young people engaged in mentoring programmes across the three clubs to come together in a structured and supportive environment. More than just a tournament, the day formed a key part of their personal development journey, building confidence, encouraging teamwork, and strengthening relationships with their mentors.

Taking part in a formal tournament gave participants the rare opportunity to represent their clubs with pride, fostering a sense of identity, purpose, and belonging. For many, pulling on their club’s colours and competing against other teams in a positive and respectful setting was a powerful motivator, encouraging them to channel their energy into teamwork, discipline, and healthy competition. These experiences help to build resilience, promote goal setting, and create shared memories that contribute to a strong sense of community.

Mentoring plays a central role in the Forest Futures programme, offering young people consistent guidance, encouragement, and a trusted adult to turn to. For many, this one-to-one support has been life changing. It helps them overcome barriers, re-engage with education, and develop a more positive outlook on the future.

Alongside the football, participants also had the chance to develop new skills off the pitch through a DJing workshop delivered by UNIT03. This provided a creative outlet and an opportunity to explore music and technology between fixtures.

The event forms part of the wider Forest Futures programme, which aims to support young people through mentoring, education, and community engagement.

At Nottingham Forest Community Trust, we are proud to deliver the Forest Futures programme, an innovative initiative designed to transform the lives of young individuals aged 14 to 25. Funded by the Premier League Charitable Fund (PLCF), the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), and the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Violence Reduction Partnership (NNVRP), the programme uses the power of football and trusted relationships to tackle some of the key challenges young people face today.

The programme is focused on reducing risk factors associated with violent crime, and is underpinned by four core elements:

Providing a Safe Environment: Creating secure and supportive spaces where young people can engage in meaningful activity.

Developing Skills: Encouraging teamwork, leadership, and communication through football.

Mentoring: Delivering consistent guidance through one-to-one and group mentoring, helping participants set goals and make informed decisions.

Building Community Connections: Strengthening community ties to foster a sense of belonging, inclusion, and mutual respect.

Delivered weekly, Forest Futures includes structured football sessions led by professional coaches, personal development mentoring, and themed workshops on topics such as conflict resolution and effective communication.

Speaking about the event, Arron Cuttriss, Community Engagement Manager at Nottingham Forest Community Trust, said:
“The tournament was a valuable opportunity for young people to connect through sport, build confidence, and experience something new. It’s great to work in partnership with other clubs to provide these kinds of experiences, which support personal development both on and off the pitch.”