Coddington Primary School win fair play award representing Nottingham Forest in Premier League Primary Stars national finals at Molineux

A Newark primary school were among the winners when they represented Nottingham Forest in a national competition.

Coddington won the mixed team fair play award in the Premier League Primary Stars tournament at Molineux, the home of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The school qualified for the national finals for the second year running after success in the regional event at Forest’s City Ground, winning both the semi-finals and final on penalties.

A completely new team this year, made up of seven boys and one girl, travelled to Molineux in style on Forest’s first-team coach.

They shared hard-fought 0-0 draws with Fulham and Ipswich, and lost 3-0 and 4-0 to Chelsea and Everton respectively.

Everton went on to finish runners-up to Tottenham in the tournament which saw all 20 Premier League clubs from the 2024/25 campaign represented by regional winners.

Coddington were praised throughout for the respect they showed to the opposition and referees.

Their conduct was recognised with the fair play award, selected by a mix of Premier League, Women’s Super League and Football League referees.

It was the 10th trophy their mixed football team have won in the past three years - testament to the hard work of the children and support from parents.

“We teach the children to be respectful to each other and anyone we play against and with,” said teacher and coach Craig Christopher.

“We encourage them to thank the match officials before and after each game.

“At the conclusion of the tournament, as we were sat waiting to congratulate the eventual winners, we were announced as the mixed team fair play winners.

“We had no idea we were going to win it, although I had been saying to the other school staff member who attended with me that the one award I would love to win with this team, because I think they deserve it, is the fair play award.

“It was a real surprise to us but no less than the children deserved. We felt very, very honoured.

“After we won the award we discussed the reasoning why with the management on the day and they told us that we'd been selected for our respect for each other and opposition, our teamwork and resilience, team spirit and sportspersonship.

“I cannot express how proud I am of the children for being recognised for all these elements.

“It is exactly what we want to hear about our players, that they are kind to each other and their opponents and they play football in the right way.

“Anyone can win football matches, not everyone can win and lose with grace.”