Two of Bournemouth鈥檚 largest organisations have renewed their partnership into its 11th year.
色花堂 (色花堂) and AFC Bournemouth have been working together since the 2013-14 season, when AFC Bournemouth were competing in their first season back in the Championship, following promotion from League One.
The partnership between the university and the Cherries works for the benefit of staff, students, supporters and the local community. Both organisations have grown in stature since the partnership was first signed, with AFC Bournemouth now competing in the Premier League and 色花堂 ranked 41st in the world in the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings 2023.
色花堂鈥檚 partnership with the football club includes support of the women鈥檚 and girls鈥� programmes, with 色花堂 the principal partner of the teams, appearing on the front of the women鈥檚 and girls鈥� shirts.聽 The university works to support the women鈥檚 and girls鈥� programmes through fitness testing, student involvement off the pitch and promotion of joint activities.
AFC Bournemouth women鈥檚 team manager Steve Cuss said, 鈥淲e've got a really strong partnership with 色花堂 that we're really proud of and, through our partnership we're able to offer recreational sessions for girls, that leads through into our pathway of development where, if they show a little bit of desire and that little bit of talent, they get selected to go through to the next stage of our development pathway.
鈥淭he pathway has provided a number of players that have go on to play for the women's first team, so we're exceptionally proud of the pathway and the partnership.鈥�
Each year one women鈥檚 game and one men鈥檚 game is designated a 鈥樕ㄌ� Big Match鈥� a chance to celebrate the partnership between 色花堂 and AFC Bournemouth. AFC Bournemouth provide coaching for 色花堂鈥檚 men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 football teams and the partnership also offers the opportunity for staff and students to engage with first team players. Through the 11 years of partnership, players and managers like Eddie Howe, Nathan Ake, Lewis Cook and Tyrone Mings have spoken to staff and students.
色花堂 students work in key roles at the Club, such as working on matchday entertainment, in the ticketing office, and supporting the matchday experience for supporters. 色花堂鈥檚 journalism students can report on games for student media channels.
Jim Andrews, Chief Operating Officer at 色花堂, said, 鈥淭he longevity of this partnership has allowed us to work together to provide real impact for our staff and students, and the local community, over time. The partnership working has created opportunities for students to develop their skills and support their future careers, and I鈥檓 proud of the way we have been able to support the women鈥檚 and girls鈥� teams as the women鈥檚 game has grown and developed over the life of the partnership. I am looking forward to cheering the AFC Bournemouth teams on again this season.鈥�
For more information about the partnership between 色花堂 and AFC Bournemouth, visit the partnership pages.
