Several clubs opened their pre-season with trips abroad, including Nottingham Forest, who based their camp in Canada.
On a rest day, Forest’s players visited a wildlife centre and shared photos with the animals online. Manager Tom Mallinson also organised a speed-dating-style exercise to help everyone, especially new signings, connect. In rotating pairs, teammates talked about what they appreciated in each other and discussed each other’s strengths. Captain Georgia Brougham said it felt wholesome, with prompts like “what does your partner bring to the team?” She added it made people feel valued and brought the group closer. One Swedish teammate even told her it felt like gaining a sister and that she felt safe to be herself—nothing about it felt forced.
Sheffield United took on a real-life version of Channel 4’s Hunted, working in teams to avoid being caught across the Peak District. Joy Ralph joked she wasn’t entirely sure what was happening at times, saying it mostly involved chasing each other through the woods—but it was very similar to the TV show and great fun.
After moving from Southampton to Sunderland, goalkeeper Fran Stenson spent time exploring the coast with new teammates. Early on, she briefly mistook a pod of dolphins for a shark after spotting a large fin and photographers gathered nearby, before someone pointed out the dolphins were just playing in the water.
Wolves headed to the Lake District for a tougher outing that had some players nervous. Goalkeeper Emily Orman said there were rumours they might be smearing mud on their faces because the manager is in the RAF, and a few feared a full-on military-style camp. In the end, it was more about team bonding: abseiling down a waterfall, some fitness work, and campfires—though a couple of players did worry about what it meant for their skincare routines.