UoG launches partnership with Cheltenham Town Football Club Academy

University of Gloucestershire and Cheltenham Town Football Club (CTFC) Academy have kicked off a new partnership to support the development of students and youth footballers.

The two-year partnership will create and enhance opportunities for learning through research, education and applied practice, and will see the University become the Academy’s official shirt sleeve sponsor.

As part of the agreement, CTFC will fund two MSc by Research students with projects that align to the performance needs of the Academy, including performance analysis and sports science.

CTFC Academy will also host placements, giving 6-8 undergraduate and postgraduate students invaluable opportunities of applied learning through placements in coaching, analysis, or sport science roles.

Dr Jordan Wintle, University of Gloucestershire’s partnership lead, said: “This partnership really speaks to the heart of what we stand for at UoG – professional connections, application of what we do in the classroom to real-world settings and developing the employability of our graduates.

“The team at Cheltenham Town Academy will help us bring many of the sports courses to life through applied placements, insight into professional sport, and youth development.

“We see this as a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship and are looking forward to hosting much of the academy activity at the university, utilising our cutting-edge facilities.”

Academics at the University will provide the Academy’s staff with ongoing support and consultancy in areas including coaching approaches and pedagogy, and sports science applications.

The Academy will also benefit from being given access to the University’s state-of-the-art facilities, including the Sports Hall and Strength and Conditioning Suite at Oxstalls Campus.

Tim Bell, the CTFC Academy lead for the partnership said: “We are excited to formalise the relationship between the Academy and the University. The two organisations have a close working relationship, and this agreement will create further opportunities to work together.

“The Academy program will benefit further from the University’s first-class facilities and with the creation of two funded studentships, we are continuing to provide exceptional experience opportunities for students within the Academy environment.”