Hundreds set to flock to exciting Community Kicks event

Hundreds of people are set to flock to an exciting action-packed football tournament and family fun event designed to bring communities together, improve young people’s lives, and build positive relationships.

More than 400 children from all parts of Nottinghamshire will be taking to the pitch to compete in this year’s seven-a-side Community Kicks event, organised by Nottinghamshire Police in partnership with Nottingham Forest Community Trust.

The free annual event, set to be held at the University of Nottingham’s David Ross Sports Village on 13 July, 10am until 5.30pm, promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Community Kicks isn’t just about the football – far from it.

This year’s event is jam-packed with a range of free fun activities for all the whole family as well as engagement and educational activities provided by force departments and partners.

Just some of the activities on offer are set to include:

• An inflatable penalty shootout with Nottingham Forest Community Trust
• Graffiti wall by Nottinghamshire-based creative studio Imageskool, giving people the chance to be creative with spray paint and help produce a lasting piece of artwork
• Circus skills and bubble blowing workshops with Starz CIC
• Live DJ playing hits throughout the day
• Nottinghamshire Police engagement stands - try your hand at being a police officer with the chance to sit in a police car, try on uniform and meet the teams
• Bring your bike and let crime prevention officers mark it for free to help protect it from crime
• Nottingham College - spin the wheel for the chance to win prizes, plus learn more about what the college has to offer
• Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Services - have-a-go activities including throw a line
• Lincs and Notts Air ambulance - spin the wheel activity and critical care car to sit in, plus merchandise to buy
• An engagement activity stall by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire

Educating young people on how to keep themselves and others safe is another key focus of our spectacular event, with educational activities set to include:

• Virtual_Decisions KNIVES (knife crime awareness) – This age-appropriate (10-18) immersive interactive virtual reality experience will allow young participants to step into and respond to life-like scenarios in a safe, risk-free environment, exploring the reasons why young people carry knives and the consequences, supporting them to live happier and healthier lives
• Street Doctors and St John Ambulance teaching lifesaving first aid skills to empower young people to keep themselves and others safe

In addition, Samworth Brothers will be providing free sandwiches for all the players and bringing a stall allowing people to find out more about what they do, and Hickory’s Smokehouse will be providing free popcorn as part of their welcoming experience at the event.

Limited free car parking will be provided on site. Please plan your journey.

This year’s Community Kicks spectacle has been organised by Nottinghamshire Police in partnership with Nottingham Forest Community Trust.

Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden added: "Community Kicks is a shining example of how we can engage, inspire and educate young people in a way that’s fun, inclusive and meaningful.

“Events like this are about more than football - they’re about building stronger, safer communities and giving young people the tools and confidence to make positive choices.

“I’m incredibly proud to support this event and the fantastic partnership working that’s making a real difference across Nottinghamshire.”

Inspector Paul Peatfield is Nottinghamshire Police’s Prevention Hub lead for engagement.

He said: “Successful events such as Community Kicks are a fantastic way for families to enjoy themselves, meet their local policing teams, and for us to bring the community together and build positive relationships with members of the community of all ages.

“There will also be some interactive educational activities at our event, including the award-winning Virtual_Decisions KNIVES VR sessions, aimed at preventing knife crime and raising awareness of the dangers and consequences of carrying a weapon.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing everyone there on 13 July and it will be wonderful to see our community come together again for such an exciting, fun, and important event.

“I’d also like to say a big thank you to all of our partners who are supporting us at this event to ensure everyone has a great time.”

Stefan Furgala, community engagement coordinator at Nottingham Forest Community Trust, said: "We’re incredibly proud to be partnering with Nottinghamshire Police once again for Community Kicks.

"This event is about so much more than football - it’s about giving young people positive opportunities, bringing communities together, and showing how sport can be a real force for good.

"It’s always fantastic to see so many smiling faces, families coming together, and young people learning new skills both on and off the pitch. We’re looking forward to another brilliant day.”

Dan Tilley, The University of Nottingham's director of sport, said: "We're delighted to be welcoming Community Kicks onto campus - it's a fantastic event that brings together so many aspects of our local community through sport and we're privileged to be able to play our part.

"As the top UK university for team sport, we're very proud of our world-class sporting facilities here at the university and we hope they offer a truly inspiring backdrop for the young people competing in July."