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Nottingham Forest hosted a special Show Racism the Red Card event at the City Ground, inviting Year 6 pupils from Djanogly Strelley Academy, a Nottingham Forest Community Trust Premier League Primary Stars Partner School, for an engaging and educational experience focused on anti-racism.

The event, organised in collaboration with Show Racism the Red Card and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), aimed to inspire and educate young students on the importance of standing up against racism, using football as a powerful platform for positive change.

It served as a fitting extension of the Trust’s usual school-based delivery of the Premier League’s Primary School programme, Primary Stars, by providing students with a memorable experience at the stadium, where they learned more about social issues.

The pupils were warmly welcomed to the City Ground for a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful activities and discussions about the importance of confronting and rejecting racism in all its forms. The day was led by Show Racism the Red Card, an organisation committed to using football and high-profile athletes to promote anti-racism education and inspire young people to take action.

Representatives from the PFA also supported the event, emphasising the importance of unity and inclusivity, both in football and society as a whole. Throughout the day, interactive workshops covered vital topics such as recognising racism, understanding its impacts, and learning ways to challenge it. These sessions empowered the children with the knowledge and confidence to become advocates for fairness and equality.

One of the key highlights of the day was the involvement of Nottingham Forest players. Callum Hudson-Odoi, Andrew Omobamidele, and Naomi Bedeau attended the event to show their support for the initiative, reinforcing the importance of addressing racism at every level of the sport and within society.

The players participated in a Q&A session with the children, sharing their personal experiences and giving the pupils an opportunity to hear from footballers who serve as role models in the fight against discrimination. Their participation was significant in showing the pupils that combating racism is a collective effort. Their involvement demonstrated the club’s commitment to using football as a platform for promoting diversity, equality and inclusion.

Tom Norton, Schools Manager at Nottingham Forest Community Trust said, “It was fantastic to welcome the pupils from Djanogly Strelley Academy to The City Ground for such an important event. The involvement of the players and the powerful message of Show Racism the Red Card made the day truly impactful. Educating young people about the importance of equality and respect is something we are deeply committed to, and it’s inspiring to see the next generation so engaged in these conversations.”

Ericka Williams, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead at Nottingham Forest said, “Show Racism the Red Card’s anti-racism education brings into being an inclusive culture which starts with our children. We created that safe space for the Djanogly Strelley students, at The City Ground, to share their thoughts and feelings. There’s no “right” way to talk to kids about race or racism, but when we try and teach them early on that it is OK to talk about race, we help them to understand, respect, and appreciate the differences between people. Through education we can encourage and make pathways to have open and honest conversations; so that everyone feels heard, accepted, and most importantly safe.”

Football has always had the power to unite people from diverse backgrounds, making it an ideal platform to challenge racism and promote inclusivity. The Show Racism the Red Card day at Nottingham Forest exemplified how sport can be used to educate and inspire young people to take a stand against discrimination.

Forest For Everyone.