We caught up with Forest Women defender Olivia Cook as The Reds approach the tail end of their season.
Forest currently sit top of the Northern Premier Division; Cook shared her thoughts on the season to date. “It’s been one of our most consistent seasons since I joined the club. We have always looked to set the standard in the league and then maintain that over the season; for whatever reason we haven’t managed to do so previously.”
“This season we have really upped it on and off the pitch; for us this is what we’ve looking for over the past four or five years. We are really happy with where we are at the moment.”
The defender described her own season as “a good one for myself, I’ve suffered in the previous two seasons with injuries and that made it difficult to get any form or run of consistent performances together. I feel that I am back at the level that I want to be, there is definitely more to work on, but overall I’ve been pleased with how my season has gone so far.”
Cook joined The Reds in 2019; the number five spoke on how the club has developed over the past four years. “I think we have growth from strength to strength. We have built up a very talented squad of players and the club has backed us with this development, which is great.”
Olivia has over 60 appearances in the Garibaldi, and we asked the defender what it meant to her to play for The Reds. “Everyone in football knows what a big club Nottingham Forest are; the following the club has is absolutely phenomenal.”
“Having the opportunity to play and represent Forest makes me incredibly proud. This is my fourth season at the club so the effort and time that has gone into earning my place and solidifying my spot in team; it makes every time that I step out with the Forest badge all the more special.”
Cook has built up a strong defensive partnership with Reds’ captain Lyndsey Harkin and provided an insight into the defensive duo. “Lyndsey is such an experienced and talented player, to be able to come into the club at 18-years old and play with someone who has played at the highest level was a very fortunate position to be in. I’ve learnt a lot from her as a player; there’s been a real consistency to our partnership in defence.”
Forest Women have enjoyed a great season to date in the Northern Premier Division as the current league leaders; Cook emphasised the time and effort spent to maintain this position. “We’ve been building to this for years to get to the position we currently occupy.”
“Every single player and staff member has put in so much hark work to get to this position. So, it’s hard to put into words how much this would mean to everyone involved.”
Support Forest Women in their league campaign at Halbrooke Stadium in their final three home games, tickets are available here.
