Luton Town Football Club and the University of Bedfordshire are pleased to announce an expansion of their long-standing partnership which will see the University become the official education partner of the Club.
The new agreement, which will bring a range of educational and career development opportunities for students, builds on the existing relationship between the two institutions which began more than a decade ago.
The partnership between the University and the Club will offer excellent career development opportunities and work experience for students studying on sports-related courses such as Sport & Exercise Science and Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation, as well as other course areas including Business and Sports Journalism.
These will include field trips to the Hatters’ training ground, and home match tickets for students from a select group of relevant courses such as BSc Football Coaching, which will allow them an insight into the behind-the-scenes workings of a Premier League football club.
Town Commercial Director Chris Bell said: “It’s a really exciting time to expand the long and strong relationship between the Club and the University of Bedfordshire. We will be able to offer amazing experiences to students and staff to develop within a truly unique environment. We have a number of University of Beds alumni currently working for the Club in a different areas of the Club.
“As the Club continues to grow and develop with Power Court on the horizon this is a perfect time to deepen our excellent relationship with the University of Bedfordshire.”
Adrian Dutch, Pro Vice Chancellor at the University of Bedfordshire, said: “We are extremely excited and proud to be partnering with Luton Town Football Club to deliver this new educational programme that puts students right at the heart of the partnership.
“As two local cornerstone institutions, the University has enjoyed a great relationship with the Club for more than ten years and we are looking forward to building on this association as we launch a range of new opportunities and initiatives to enhance the student learning experience.”
In tandem with the announcement of the new partnership, the University is also launching a unique new MBA in Business Administration (Sport Leadership and Management), delivered in collaboration between the School of Sport Science & Physical Activity and the University of Bedfordshire Business School, which will see further opportunities for students to get involved with the Club and develop valuable industry experience.
The new agreement will see the University of Bedfordshire’s logo featured on the sleeve of training shirts for the men’s, academy and ladies’ teams, as well as retaining the existing advertising boards currently found at Kenilworth Road.