Nottingham named as England's top sporting destination

Nottingham, host city of this year's Leadership Convention, has been announced today 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.”

Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Nottingham City Council, said: “Nottingham is a very worthy winner of this accolade, being voted England’s Home of Sport 2015. Our city offers world-class sporting facilities and 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: “What a fabulous accolade for the city, which reflects the fantastic role that sport plays within our community whether that be through the professional clubs such as Forest, County or the Panthers; through the vast array of semi-professional and community clubs; as a consequence of the iconic venues and outstanding facilities such as Trent Bridge, the National Watersports Centre and Harvey Hadden; or through the delivery by our two leading sporting universities and local schools and colleges.

The University of Nottingham is currently building a brand new £40m Sports Centre which will hopefully further enhance our sporting status and will help us continue to attract high profile events such as the European Archery Championships in 2016.”

To further underline its place as a city of sport, Nottingham will this year be hosting the Sport and Recreation Alliance's Leadership Convention on the 3-4 November. To find out about this event, click here.

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