One hundred and thirty primary school pupils from across Nottinghamshire came together to play in a Girls Football Tournament at The Forest Sports Zone.
Organised by Nottingham Forest Community Trust and The Flying High Partnership, the emphasis of the tournament was for school children to have fun playing as many different teams as possible and to gain valuable playing experience.
There was also a surprise visit by pro-footballer Naomi Powell of Nottingham Forest WFC who was able to meet and speak to the teams taking part.
Declan Barker is Head of Community Engagement.at Nottingham Forest Community Trust and helped to organise the day. He said, “Nottingham Forest Community Trust is delighted to host and support the Flying High Partnership Girls’ Tournament at The Forest Sports Zone. The Trust is committed to developing all forms of the girls’ game across the city and county, and events like this enables players to build on their skills and confidence whilst having fun.”
Taking part was year 5 pupil Lydia, from Haddon Primary & Nursery School in Carlton who said, “It has been amazing today, I never thought I would come here so I am so excited! It’s been nice playing all of the other teams and everyone has shown good sportsmanship. It’s been amazing. It is also incredible to meet a pro football player, Naomi Powell, and I want a picture with her so I know it’s not a dream!”
Pupil Olivia is in year 6 at Hillside Primary & Nursery School in Hucknall and she said, “I have enjoyed the tournament and the rest of my team has too. We scored a couple of goals but also lost a couple of matches.
“Before today we have been able to play matches against other teams, but this has been different because we have played a lot of shorter games.
“I play in goal or on the wing and this is the biggest tournament I have ever played in. I play at school and go to football training, and I would encourage other girls to have a go and see if they like it too.”
Naomi Powell is a pro-footballer playing for Nottingham Forest Women’s Football Club and spent time with the teams answering questions and encouraging the children.
“I wanted to come here today and speak to the teams because I think it is important for girls in football to have role models.
“I didn’t have a female role model in football to follow when I was younger and felt it was important for me to come here, to meet the teams so they can see where the sport can take you, -and so they can ask me questions.
“I have loved sharing my experience with the teams. I hope to grow the women’s game and find there is so much potential in the UK for women’s football to become really big. I hope the children today keep playing and learn to overcome any setbacks, developing resilience to move on in their game. So much can be gained from participating in sports.”
Nicola Robinson is a parent of a child attending Hawthorne Primary & Nursery School in Bestwood Village and said this event felt like a good opportunity for pupils to meet each other on the field.
“I think because of lockdown and because they go to senior school next year, this event gives them all a really good chance to play football and gain some experience. I think the event will encourage them to continue playing football.”
Abi Moody is Engagement and Communications Manager at The Flying high Partnership and helped organise the event. She said, “It was great to bring our schools together again, especially after two challenging years. We wanted to hold an event for our children where we could connect and allow our children to have fun and this event did exactly that.
“Some of the children attending had never been to Nottingham or even played football before, -and so working with Nottingham Forest Community Trust allowed us to offer something completely new for those children, making memories and making every day count.”
During the friendly matches 13 teams played including Beeston Fields Primary & Nursery School, Leamington Primary & Nursery Academy (Sutton in Ashfield), Haddon Primary & Nursery School (Carlton), Hillside Primary & Nursery school (Hucknall), Hucknall Flying High Academy, Horsendale Primary School (Nuthall), Peafield Lane Academy (Mansfield Woodhouse), Stanstead Nursery & Primary School (Rise Park), Edwalton Primary School, Killisick Junior School (Arnold) , Hawthorne Primary & Nursery School (Bestwood Village), Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy and Mapplewells Primary & Nursery School (Sutton in Ashfield).
