Nottingham Forest launch of a county-wide community health initiative

Jacque Talbot

• 23 Mar 2024 10:38 CDT
• 3 min read

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis warmly welcomed British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to the club’s City Ground on Friday for the launch of a county-wide community health initiative.

Forest, in partnership with E.ON, unveiled the groundbreaking initiative titled "A New Vision For Sport" in the presence of esteemed guests such as Ben Bradley MP, Sir John Peace, Chairman of the Midlands Engine, and Victoria Pickering, Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire.

Central to this initiative is a commitment to ensuring that every adult and child in Nottinghamshire has the opportunity and space to engage in regular physical activity for their overall health and well-being. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of physical activity for health and well-being, and commending Nottingham Forest and the broader business and sporting community for their leadership in enhancing health outcomes in the region.

During his visit, Prime Minister Sunak also had a separate discussion with Evangelos Marinakis, expressing gratitude to the club's owner for his significant contributions to Nottinghamshire. Marinakis then invited the Prime Minister onto the City Ground pitch to partake in a friendly game with Forest's first-team players and Year 4 students from Carnarvon Primary School in Bingham.

"A New Vision For Sport," supported by initial funding from Club partners E.ON, aims to revolutionize the health and well-being of Nottinghamshire residents while reshaping the sporting landscape across the county. It seeks to unite various sporting clubs, public and private sectors, local councils, higher education institutions, and commercial entities under a singular vision, fostering equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Prime Minister Sunak expressed his wholehearted support for the initiative, highlighting its goal of encouraging all Nottinghamshire residents, regardless of age, to engage in sports for at least an hour per week. He also commended the initiative's efforts to provide pathways into professional sports for talented and dedicated children, potentially revitalizing Nottingham Forest's stature as a European footballing powerhouse.

Marinakis underscored the importance of ensuring access to regular exercise for every individual in the region. He said: ""Whatever is needed in order to make this project a success, whatever investment is required, I am personally committed to do so for this region. I am particularly proud that we can contribute to a project which can change the futures of our children and everyone in this region. I would like to thank the Prime Minister for his support and all those who will contribute towards making this project a success.”

Chairman Tom Cartledge echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the significance of the initiative in promoting physical and mental well-being across Nottinghamshire. He expressed delight at the Prime Minister's endorsement and affirmed the club's dedication to fostering a fitter, healthier, and more inclusive community.

Spanning three years, the initiative will focus on three key pillars: "Sport For All," aiming to encourage regular physical activity across all age groups; "Unity in Sports," facilitating collaboration among sporting clubs to nurture young talent and promote aspirations; and "Infrastructure Enhancement," involving a comprehensive review of sporting facilities to culminate in a county-wide celebration of health, fitness, and wellness through sport.