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The City Ground recently hosted young people from across the city and county for a special Premier League Kicks Celebration Event. Representing various sessions throughout the region, 20 participants were rewarded for their consistent engagement with an immersive experience at the home of Nottingham Forest.

The day kicked off with an exclusive stadium tour, giving the group a rare look at the inner workings of the club. Following the tour, participants engaged in interactive sessions with coding robots before testing their skills on the pitch – virtually – with a competitive FC26 tournament.

Jeff Meehan, from The Meadows Together Youth and Community, highlighted the tangible pathways the Premier League Kicks programme creates: “It’s been fantastic; you really can’t complain – the fact Premier League Kicks is free makes it accessible to everyone. We’re seeing 40 boys and girls from the area engaging every week and they get so much out of it. We’ve even had a 14-year-old participant start their FA Referee Course recently.

Because of the consistency of the work with Nottingham Forest Community Trust, we are now seeing those aged 13 and up transitioning into volunteers. We even fund their coaching courses to help them progress. It’s been brilliant to see them move onto other teams and grow.”

Meriam Gifford, from The Meadows Together Youth and Community, added: “It’s been a fantastic day for the kids; they are all massive Forest fans. The tour was a highlight, but it builds on memories like when Ola Aina and Callum Hudson-Odoi visited back in October – they were so surprised and inspired by that. It gives them a true sense of belonging, and that’s what Premier League Kicks does. It makes them feel special.”

Stefan Furgala, Community Engagement Coordinator at Nottingham Forest Community Trust, said: “Bringing these young people together at The City Ground is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. Premier League Kicks isn’t just about finding the next star footballer; it’s about providing a safe, inspiring environment where young people feel seen and supported. Seeing them engage with everything from coding to stadium history today shows the breadth of opportunity we want to provide for the youth of Nottingham.”

Premier League Kicks, funded by the Premier League through the Premier League Foundation, uses the power of football and sport to inspire young people to reach their potential, in some of the most high-need areas in England and Wales.