Express & Star

University of Wolverhampton and Wolves renew Academy partnership

The University of Wolverhampton has renewed its role as principal sponsor of the Wolves Academy for a further three years.

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Managing Director at Wolves, Laurie Dalrymple; Wolves player, Morgan Gibbs-White; University Sports and Exercise Senior Lecturer, Dr Ross Cloak; Academy Manager, Gareth Prosser; Wolves player, Austin Samuels; Ian Oakes, Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

The partnership, launched in 2014, see students given opportunities to gain work experience in various roles at the football club.

A total of 15 students have so far worked in roles covering sports science, sports psychology, strength and conditioning, medical, media and commercial specialisms.

A number of those have since gone on to successfully gain full-time roles at the club.

The new sponsorship deal will also see the continuation of a 40-week placement in the club’s marketing department and opportunities to gain matchday experience for journalism students within the club’s media team.

A new placement will offer international opportunities in China and South East Asia with partners including Fosun, Wolves’ parent group.

The University’s logo will continue to be positioned on the front of all the Academy age groups playing shirts, up to and including the u18s side, and at prominent locations at the club’s academy based at its Compton Park training complex.

Laurie Dalrymple, Managing Director at Wolves, said: “The sponsorship agreement with regards to the Academy is of particular importance as it brings with it a sharing of ideas and resources, and we are delighted that the University take such a keen interest in the work the club carries out with our young players.

“Our Category One Academy is committed to reaching the highest standards possible, a view shared by the University in their own aims and ambitions, and once again we are hugely appreciative of the support provided in renewing the partnership for another three years.”

Professor Ian Oakes, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “A key part of this agreement will be the opportunities which will be available to our students and graduates for work experience, placements and internships. We are particularly excited about the opportunity for international placements with partners such as Fosun.

“We have had some really successful student placements and internships with the club in the initial period giving them an insight into the world and business of football to give them invaluable experience and skills.

“It is an exciting time to be working with the academy with it being judged as one of the best in the country.

“Wolverhampton has a fantastic buzz about it at the moment with development at Wolves, the University and in the city so we look forward to a further successful three years.”