Nottingham Forest have unveiled plans to embrace a full-time professional status beginning in the 2025/26 season.
Established in 1990, Nottingham Forest Women currently compete in the FA Women’s National League North, positioned at level three within the women’s football league pyramid.
The club’s recent announcement outlines that Nottingham Forest Women will transition to full-time professionalism from the outset of the 2025/26 campaign. This transition is part of owner Evangelos Marinakis’ ambitious strategy to propel Forest into elite competition across both men’s and women’s football.
“Nottingham Forest Women will become a full-time professional football club from the start of the 2025/26 season as owner Evangelos Marinakis sets out his ambitious vision to see Forest compete in the elite divisions in both the men’s and women’s game.”
The new model aims to propel the club towards promotion to the Barclays Women’s Championship in the near future, with aspirations to advance further to the Barclays Women’s Super League in subsequent seasons.
In a bold initiative, Nottingham Forest Women will host eleven home games next season at The City ground, offering the club and its supporters top-tier facilities and fostering substantial growth in the women’s team fanbase.
This announcement follows closely on the heels of Nottingham Forest Netball’s recent debut, signalling yet another significant stride forward. It underscores the club’s commitment to advancing women’s sport and promoting gender equality across all facets of its operations. Forest’s mission will also improve the broader infrastructure in place for the Women’s team, as the development includes increased contact hours as well as better access to training, support, and further opportunities for players.
In conjunction with this outlined strategy, the club will undertake a significant expansion of grassroots girls’ football facilities across Nottingham, under its ‘Vision for Sport’ initiative. The goal is to ensure that every aspiring female player aiming for a career with Nottingham Forest enjoys equitable opportunities long afforded to boys.
Welcoming the news, the Nottingham Forest’s Head of Women & Girls Football, Amber Wildgust said,
“The move to a full-time model has been driven by significant investment and the unwavering support from our owner.”
“It highlights our ambition as a club and our commitment to breaking into the FA Women’s Championship and fulfilling our vision of progressing to the Women’s Super League.“
“Alongside this, we are excited about the improvements to our Girls’ Academy, which aims to diversify the talent pool, increase contact time, and contribute to the owner’s ‘Vision for Sport’ initiatives, cultivating homegrown Nottingham talent.”
“It is an exciting time at the club for women’s and girl’s sport as we embark on this ambitious step alongside the Nottingham Forest Netball team.”
The move to full-time professionalism signifies more than just a structural change; it represents a commitment to parity and excellence across both men’s and women’s football. As Nottingham Forest embark on this ambitious journey, supported by a robust strategy and clear vision, the club stands poised to make a meaningful impact in women and girls sports, setting a commendable example in the pursuit of sporting excellence and inclusivity.
Photo – https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2019/may/one-club-approach-as-nottingham-forest-commit-to-ladies-team-development/
