New partnership to boost city sport
Monday 5 December 2011
Southampton Solent University’s sport and recreation provider is to take over the city’s sport development on behalf of the council – in the first partnership of its kind in the UK.
The 10-year partnership between Southampton City Council and the University – now the largest provider of coaching education in England - will ensure the continuation of city-wide sport and fitness initiatives, as well as after-school sports, coaching and volunteering projects.
Councillor John Hannides, Cabinet Member for Resources, Leisure and Culture said: “We are delighted to be entering into this long term partnership with Solent University, which demonstrates our commitment to sport and physical activity in the run up to the 2012 Olympics.”
Many of Solent University’s students are qualified coaches and are already experienced at working in school and community settings as part of their curriculum.
Phil Green, Director of Solent University’s Sport Solent, said: “We are delighted to be leading the city's Sports Development Unit.
“The provision of this service, in addition to the recent acquisition of the schools partnership and the University’s exciting new facility developments, will help us become a significant force in shaping local sport at all levels.
“It will also support the University's emphasis on employability, providing work-based learning opportunities for hundreds of undergraduates, as well as research opportunities across many of Solent' University’s subject disciplines.”
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