Spotlight Magazines Spotlight Magazine Mansfield South November 2015 | Page 20

Spotlight Magazine

Nottingham Named “Home Of Sport”

Nottingham has been announced as England’s
official Home of Sport, following a national
campaign by tourism board VisitEngland, in a
bid to find England’s top sporting destination.
Having received more nominations than any
other English destination, Nottingham was the
‘People’s Choice’ going into the public vote, and
then went on to be a clear winner with 38% of
the overall vote.

James Berresford, VisitEngland’s Chief Executive,
says: “Live sporting events are great drivers for
tourism, worth £3.2 billion to the sector. With this
accolade, Nottingham has been put firmly on
the tourist trail as a must-visit destination for any
sports fan. As the site of our glorious Ashes win
this summer, the setting for the recently released
and critically acclaimed I Believe in Miracles
film and the home to the National Water Sports
Centre, Nottingham offers visitors plenty to see
and do.”
Jennifer Spencer, Chief Executive of Experience
Nottinghamshire, said: “We’re over the moon
to have been named England’s official home of
sport! This is a fantastic coup for Nottingham,
and a wonderful reflection of the diverse
sporting offer we have here – from legendary
sporting heroes such as Brian Clough and Torvil
& Dean, to world class sporting facilities such as
Trent Bridge and top spectator and participant
events all year round. It’s been a real joint effort,
so thank you to all the partners who got behind
the campaign here in Nottingham, including
Nottingham City Council, Sport
Nottinghamshire, sport
venues and clubs, and of
course our high profile
sports ambassadors.
We’re looking forward
to welcoming even
more sports lovers to
Nottingham as a result of
this achievement.”

events for both local people and for visitors to
the area. I’m particularly pleased that we were
the ‘people’s choice’ as it shows how proud the
people of Nottingham are of their city’s sporting
achievements.”

Simon Starr, Director of Sport Nottinghamshire,
said: “I am absolutely delighted that Nottingham
has been recognised as England’s Home of
Sport. We are blessed with fantastic and
iconic facilities, great teams, great coaches and
some amazing athletes but more than that,
Nottingham is a city that lives and breathes its
sport. The title is well deserved and I hope it will
help to inspire even more people in Nottingham
to lead healthy and active lives”
Dan Tilley, Director of Sport at University of
Nottingham, said: